Osage Nation and Osage County Should Be Good Neighbors
A dispute of ad valorem taxes, and quite frankly, financially tough times have recently pitted the Osage Nation against Osage County government. It has also refueled old fears and perhaps even racial beliefs. At odds are the Osage Nation’s plans to turn purchased land into trust property, or to remove it from the tax rolls, thereby making it attractive to those wishing to do business with the tribe or the Osages themselves.
But, painful drops in revenue collections from the tax base has created even more fears.
The 75 acres are not the big problem. The 43,000 acres of what was the old Ted Turner ranch the Osages purchased is more complicated. If that is taken off the rolls the county believes it would make a catastrophic problem cataclysmic. However, this doesn’t have to turn into a brawl which no one will win. It can be a catalyst for change.
The County last week stopped 75 acres from being turned into trust land. They claimed the land was worth more than $73,000 in ad valorem taxes on the undeveloped land. Not sure about that, perhaps that was a figure trotted out to scare the locals. Time to sit and talk about what everyone needs and discuss their fears. Saber rattling, and threats are not going to help matters. The tribe alluded they might pull their transportation money to fix roads and the Sheriff has ordered his deputies to no longer patrol the disputed land around the 75 acres located behind the Osage casino on 36th street north. Everyone needs to ease off the gas.
Not all restricted land fails to bring in and revenue to the county. There is impact aid, and payment in lieu of taxes paid to counties to offset the land lost. Plus, when tribes like the Osages hire hundreds of new workers they pay sales, personal and other taxes which directly impact local governments. The Osages pay gross production taxes and their cigarette and casino compacts brings additional revenue to the County. But, the County is right, taking huge tracks of land will have a lasting and damaging effect on land tax collections. So, both sides need to really talk.
Of course, compromise means both sides will get something and lose something, but everyone lives. We encourage talk, silence breeds suspicion at a time when openness would no doubt bring better results. We all need to live in harmony, Black, Red, and White are brothers and sisters because we all either succeed together or fail together.
Poor People’s March Being Planned
In the hot days when President John F. Kennedy was in office, there was still opposition to civil rights and voting rights becoming law; there was serious discord in the country. This started a trek toward change but there was so far to go. So, hundreds of thousands marched on Washington in August 1963, when Martin Luther King, Jr. (King) lead the March on Washington to stand up against the oppression and racism. In the face of hatred, he gave the famous “I Have a Dream” speech. This year people will march again, and this country will also recognize the 50th anniversary of King’s death at the hands of the assassin James Earl Ray.
Some could argue this nation has progressed and life is better. However, many believe the old racism has been replaced with a new form of hatred and has come to a hateful climax under the leadership of this country. So, they will hold the New Poor People’s Campaign which will be the 50th anniversary of King’s death. There are still obstacles to overcome in the era of Trump.
Like the previous marches, this one will be non-violent and will include a strong Church following. It also means it will include civil disobedience. The times it seems calls for strong responses to the gap between rich and poor that only became wider this year under President Donald Trump. His tax package cut taxes on the rich and his budget promises to cut billions from social programs including Medicaid and Medicare. King and others fought for a better nation and there were certainly advances. However, it’s been proven that no one can rest on their laurels, progress and change must be defended.
Unless people rise and oppose this form of tyranny and oppression, it will only go on and no doubt worsen. Plans are now in the making for the March to go on in over 40 cities to bring attention to the poor. Remembering the days of change and the life and times of King will make the coming months memorable. Planners are looking at Mother’s Day to hold the Marches.
Black Panther Breaks Records and Images
Black Panther, the Marvel Comics latest comic to screen film is breaking box office records and its three-day total was $201.8 million. Counting Monday as a holiday it could bring in as much as $230 million. Worldwide box office figures show the film sold $360 million in ticket sales. However, that is not the best news. Try the image busting characters created by Marvel Comics as written, directed and produced by African Americans. The positives go on in describing this historic film.
Also heralded are the strong female characters found throughout the film. No negative stereotypes at play here, but, strong, richly drawn characters that are admirable and complex. No surprise to anyone, comics, like the rest of society were not always kind to African Americans. They were full of demeaning depictions and were never written by African Americans.
The earliest films were racist like Birth of a Nation, originally titled The Clansman, which depicted a romanticized view of the KKK. Black characters in the film were shiftless, evil and conniving. It was even lauded by then President Woodrow Wilson as noble and regrettably true. But, that was then, and this is now.
On top of being empowering no matter who you are, it is probably one of the best written comic films for the screen. The soundtrack is also written by an African American. As this country moves forward toward addressing racist stereotypes and policies, it’s comforting to know in some corners of society, there are bright spots worth celebrating.
