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Culture Ain't Optional by Brandon Benson | Neume
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Culture Ain't Optional
Brandon Benson
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“
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To whomever holds the power, Listen close — this ain’t just ink on a page, This is a father’s fight, A nation’s wound, A history still unpaid. My name is Brandon Benson, Elspigtog First Nation born, And I’m standing here demanding justice For the children torn from home. They took my babies — Placed ’em in a house where identity is muted, Where foster parents said under oath, In words cold and undisputed: “Indians? We don’t talk about that in our home.” That’s not silence — That’s a strike at the bone, A reminder of every era Where our culture was overthrown. I’ve done everything required — Every class, every test, Every hoop they built to doubt me, I passed every one, But still I’m kept from my kids While assimilation’s being done. So I’m callin’ for intervention — No delay, no hesitation: • Emergency culturally grounded housing support • A reassessment under ICWA-style protections • A review of a placement that rejects my children’s identity outright Because culture ain’t optional— It’s medicine, memory, survival, It’s the drumbeat in our bones That keeps every spirit vital. I’ve attached the court files, The statements, the truth, But understand: This fight ain’t just for my children — It’s for every stolen youth. For the ones who never came back, For the ones still fighting to return, For a future where culture isn’t something We have to beg the system to learn. Act now. For my family. For thousands like us. For truth-telling that’s long overdue.
Lyrics
To whomever holds the power,
Listen close — this ain’t just ink on a page,
This is a father’s fight,
A nation’s wound,
A history still paid.
My name is Brandon Benson,
Elspigtog First Nation born,
And I’m standing here demanding justice
For the children torn from home.
They took my babies —
Placed ’em in a house where identity is muted,
Where foster parents said under oath,
In words cold and undisputed:
“Indians?
We don’t talk about that in our home.”
That’s not silence —
That’s a strike at the bone,
A reminder of every era
Where our culture was overthrown.
I’ve done everything required —
Every class, every test,
Every hoop they built to doubt me,
I passed every one,
But still I’m kept from my kids
While assimilation’s being done.
So I’m callin’ for intervention —
No delay, no hesitation:
• Emergency culturally grounded housing support
• A reassessment under ICWA-style protections
• A review of a placement that rejects my children’s identity outright
Because culture ain’t optional—
It’s medicine, memory, survival,
It’s the drumbeat in our bones
That keeps every spirit vital.
I’ve attached the court files,
The statements, the truth,
But understand:
This fight ain’t just for my children —
It’s for every stolen youth.
For the ones who never came back,
For the ones still fighting to return,
For a future where culture isn’t something
We have to beg the system to learn.
Act now.
For my family.
For thousands like us.
For truth-telling that’s long overdue.
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