Truth is relative Tony, and you don’t speak for all Native American people, do you? Your views are your own. In short, I don’t find this poem spiritual, I find it to be a rant. I also write about the Native American people. I believe my poems draw from the spirituality of your people. And is a kind of automatic writing that summons their very essence. It’s not commercialism as you say, it’s a deep belief in “tradition” of a forgotten people. It’s a deep spiritual connection. And whether your point of view differs from someone elses on these matters, it doesn’t devalue their spiritual awareness or connection.
— from a pained response to my poem “American History” on Gotpoetry.com
The same writer then posted several poems in response to my poem, which were better than a lot I’ve read but which still trafficked in … well, you can guess. Summoning the very essence of “my people” through a kind of automatic writing.
I thought I felt something…
After, she predicted that I’d find her poems stereotyped and offensive, and suggested that was because I’ve been too “Americanized.”
She was right, so I guess I am too Americanized.
ETA: Here’s a link to the debate. Just do me a favor, please — don’t pile on over there, ok? I’m interested as to whether I’m being too harsh, not looking for reinforcements:
Dark Matter 
Leave a comment