Kudos to my dad for speaking up against racism in Needham, Massachusetts. For many years a white man has dressed up as a Native American for Needham's 4th of July parade, riding on horseback and saying "how." His activity has stirred up controversy in Needham. Check out this Boston Globe.com article that quotes my dad. Here's the relevant section:
Fred Muzi, the retired owner of Muzi Motors, did appear, despite health concerns related to two horse-riding accidents in recent weeks. Muzi has made waves for his 50-year-long tradition of dressing as a Native American and riding his horse bareback in the annual parade.
Covered in red body paint and decked out in a full headdress, Muzi, 80, drew a mix of cheers and murmured disapproval from spectators as he wheeled his horse from side to side and called out “how!” in greeting.
Jerry Durbin was not among those clapping.
“He’s not our favorite character,” said Durbin, a longtime resident of Needham. “Thirty years ago, there wasn’t the same sensitivity, but now….” He shook his head.
Durbin’s daughter and grandchildren were visiting from Guatemala, where they live with their father, an indigenous Mayan. “I’ve been watching him for a long time,” Durbin said. “And it’s not even a good re-enactment, the way he says ‘how’ and everything.”
http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/needham/2011/07/a_birthday_bash_for_the_nation.html?comments=all#readerComm
Way to go, Dad!
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