Children in poverty aren't trying to get out of poverty; they're just trying to rip off a pair of Nikes. So we Indian people are a microcosm of what's happening in America. We are now consumers, and our culture has gone.
Russell MeansYou see the one thing I've always maintained is that I'm an American Indian. I'm not a Native American. I'm not politically correct. Everyone who's born in the Western Hemisphere is a Native American. We are all Native Americans. And if you notice, I put American before my ethnicity. I'm not a hyphenated African-American or Irish-American or Jewish-American or Mexican-American.
Russell MeansIโm a human being, Iโm not anyoneโs mascot! And I am Americaโs conscience. And thatโs what they donโt want to look at. They would rather look at a cartoon character than at the deceit of this country and this government.
Russell Means