Independent news from the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance

Military women win right to combat roles

JT Shining Oneside shared stories about her Ojibwe and Anishinaabe inheritance during the Native American Heritage Month Celebration on Nov. 15. She spoke about the coming-of-age and traditional birth ceremonies. (Photo credit/ Adrianna Adame)

Women should not be in combat

There seems to be a concerted effort by the commander in chief to toy with the armed forces that will result in diminishing combat readiness. The latest tinkering is pressing to put our women in the brutal business of battlefield combat [“Military women win battle to serve in combat,” page one, Jan. 24].

What has worked in the past with great success in America’s historic victories seems lost to the civilian wizards of smart. To reduce the stature of women by becoming brutes who must kill to win, which the menfolk are required to do, tarnishes the inspiration that men fight for.

Today, as much if not more than ever, the visage of our women must be a major refining element in our society that diminishes the brute instinct of the guys. A great example was Esther and Abigail of the Old Testament who cooled the passions of kings and halted their folly.

Manners and civility in America could also use some improvement. The effort comes from mama, grandma and our sisters. Let’s keep them out of the foxholes.

–Ray Womack, Olalla


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Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear is the founder and director of the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance, a 501-C-3 nonprofit organization with offices in Bismarck, N.D. and the Fort Berthold Reservation. Jodi spent 15 years reporting for the mainstream press. She's been awarded prestigious Nieman and John S. Knight journalism fellowships at Harvard and Stanford, respectively. She also an MIT Knight Science Journalism Project fellow. Her writing is featured in "The Authentic Voice: The Best Reporting on Race and Ethnicity," published by Columbia University Press. Jodi currently serves as a Society of Professional Journalists at-large board member, an SPJ Foundation board member, and she chairs the SPJ Freedom of Information Committee. Jodi has won top journalism awards from mainstream and Native press organizations. She earned her journalism degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder.