OK, that will be my only Rebecca Black reference. Ever.

It is also Good Friday, and Earth Day. Good Earth Day. I happened upon the story of Chief Seattle again this morning. It’s one of those feel-good tales that won’t go away. On an Earth Day site, someone commented, “TODAY I AM READING OUT LOUD ‘CHIEF SEATTLE’S LETTER TO WASHINGTON’ ONCE AGAIN!”

For those who may not know, the text of the 1854 speech is an impassioned response to the US government’s interest in buying Indian land. An excerpt reads:

You must teach your children that the ground beneath their feet is the ashes of your grandfathers. So that they will respect the land, tell your children that the earth is rich with the lives of our kin. Teach your children what we have taught our children, that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. If men spit upon the ground, they spit upon themselves.

Beautiful words, yes? Too bad he never said them. Still, the text of the speech (found here) is poignant and romantic, and resonates perfectly the ideal of the Native American eco-hero our country so loves. Hey, whatever gets the job done.

Happy Good Earth Day, and a blessed Easter holiday to all who celebrate it.