Jaw-Dropping What Brad Pitt Is Doing To American Indian Reservations

[xchrom]

http://beforeitsnews.com/energy/2014/07/jaw-dropping-what-brad-pitt-is-doing-to-native-american-reservations-2454736.html?utm_content=awesmsharetools-fbshare-small&utm_medium=facebook-post&utm_term=http%3A%2F%2Fb4in.info%2FqcDh&utm_campaign&utm_source=https%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com



Brad Pitt has been partenering with Fort Peck, Montana Sioux and Assiniboine nation tribes to build 20 super green homes for residents whose income levels are at or below 60 percent the area’s mean income, with a percentage of the homes reserved for seniors and disabled veterans.

More Than Talented Pretty Face Celebrity

When Pitt isn’t jet-setting to movie locations and being a father of six (three biological and three adopted), he’s running a non-profit, Make It Right.

His organization has been most notable for building 150 sustainable homes in Louisiana’s Lower Ninth Ward post-Hurricane Katrina.

“We hear stories from people who have nine families living in a five bedroom home and take ‘sleeping shifts’ to share the limited beds,” writes Make It Right communications director Taylor Royle. “Most homes are smaller, one or two bedrooms. We [met] a woman who shares a two-bedroom home with her elderly mother and her brother’s family—she and her three children sleep on the floor in the living room.”

***the below are what the designs look like

[daleanime]

1. Kick....

[yeoman6987]

28. Great work

but those homes are hideous. Still great work though.

[awoke_in_2003]

56. I would love

to have the second one with solar panels as the porch roof

[liberal N proud]

76. They look like mansions compared to existing structures

The idea is affordable, easy to maintain structures that give the occupants hope and inspiration.

[IrishAyes]

78. As in all things, beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.

While I personally dislike modern design almost unilaterally, I happen to like the Katrina Cottages built in NOLA. They follow more traditional tastes with porches etc. And if anything ever destroys my own home, I'd be fully content building a small dome home or yurt - that's all I could afford. With a big enough disaster to look back on, most people would be thrilled with these houses.

Good on Brad Pitt and the OP.

[MADem]

95. I think they look nice; they are appropriate to the environment too.

A huge step up from existing housing in many instances.

[samsingh]

2. very nice

[Grey]

3. Cool....

[padfun]

4. Well well

My respect for Brad Pitt just went up (quite) a few notches.

[madokie]

46. I've always had a lot of respect for him

always will

[awoke_in_2003]

57. same here

I have enjoyed everything I have seen him in, too.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

77. Mine too; hats off to Brad!

[littlemissmartypants]

5. ..

[sulphurdunn]

26. She was some piece of work.

[muriel_volestrangler]

44. That was actually said *to* her, by her uncle Leopold I, King of the Belgians

To hope to escape censure and calumny is next to impossible, but whatever is considered by the enemy as a fit subject for attack is better modified or avoided. The dealings with artists, for instance, require great prudence; they are acquainted with all classes of society, and for that very reason dangerous; they are hardly ever satisfied, and when you have too much to do with them, you are sure to have des ennuis

http://www.mocavo.com/The-Letters-of-Queen-Victoria-a-Selection-From-Her-Majestys-Correspondence-Between-the-Years-1837-and-1861-Volume-2-3/480545/66

[littlemissmartypants]

52. You are awesome. eom

[stillwaiting]

7. Such a good thing! I'm sure conservatives hate him. nt

[tymorial]

10. I agree it is a wonderful thing

Broad generalizations though make me uncomfortable. I have some conservative friends who accept climate change as fact. So too do they accept our culpability in the intentional and unintentional (through disease/viruses ect) genocide of natives. They support these endeavors. I disagree with them on many viewpoints but just like democrats, not all conservatives are equal.

[stillwaiting]

12. Of course that's true.

However, MANY conservatives that I know absolutely hate liberal Hollywood actors to include anything that they might do that benefits others.

I am always gobsmacked by how they always ascribe devious motives to the beliefs and actions of liberals (Thanks Rush and talk radio!), and their contempt and distaste for "liberal Hollywood" is quite pervasive in their midst. Of course, that does not include ALL conservatives. There are a few that simply focus on their own self-interests and don't wallow in the hate.

Being gay, living in a conservative part of the country for most of my life, and dealing with these conservatives has given me a very strong opinion on many of them. I don't think I am hating on them by stating factually that many of them are haters and are motivated by their hate. I've seen it many, many times.

[Enthusiast]

70. You are right, not all conservatives are equal. Some suck more than others.

That is clear enough.

[Chemisse]

72. That is good to hear.

I wish my conservative 'friends' were that progressive. Just the other day I reported one of them on Facebook for a cartoon that promoted the assassination of Obama!! Of course that has nothing to do with climate change, but I don't know any who aren't buying into the whole package (hate Obama, anti-women's rights, climate change deniers).

[tymorial]

73. I think it has a lot to do with region and religion

Massachusetts and Rhode Island are good examples of this statement. Despite the fact that both of these states are most certainly "blue", there still remains an element of social conservatism. Both states have large Italian, Hispanic and French Candian populations which give them a fairly large Catholic population even if they are lapsed. The result of this causes some social progress to slow even if "group think" on social issues is most certainly leftward leaning. Massachusetts did not pass homosexual marriage laws, it was overturned in the courts. The poll question to legalize marijuana failed in Mass and the medical marijuana only passed slightly. Further implementation of MM is a complete cluster. Rhode Island only recently passed homosexual marriage and that in part has a lot to do with Catholic belief. I am not an atheist so please do not take my comments as bashing religion; I personally find that distasteful even if I degree with dogmatic elements of certain religions. My point is that not all democrats, republicans, liberals, conservatives etc etc are the same. One's social and cultural experiences help define an individual. A republican from this region is more likely to be moderate which is why we see moderate republicans often coming from urban centers that are generally purple or blue. Further, one can consider themselves conservative on fiscal, foreign policy perspectives while maintaining a social progressive stance. I know atheist conservatives who detest the insertion of religion into politics and as such believe that homosexuals should not be banned from marriage because there is no secular reason to do so. I could go on and on but as usual... I ramble

[Chemisse]

74. That makes sense.

Most of the Republicans I know are former students from a very conservative - and very Christian - area of New Hampshire, so there is little nuance in their political beliefs (as a whole).

[tymorial]

75. Sounds like north country.

Most areas north of Concord are pretty conservative which is unsurprising given that its a largely rural area. Even when Berlin was still a functioning mill town with its labor unions, the culture was still very conservative.
--
Though small the New England states still maintain rural areas which create a political demographic split. Even Rhode Island still has some rural areas which still tend to vote republican. With the exception of Springfield/Amherst area, areas west of Worcester are still quite conservative. North western Connecticut, all areas west and north of Portland Maine, The western parts of Vermont and the north east kingdom.. all conservative strongholds. They just don't have the population to effect electoral votes and senatorial elections.

[IrishAyes]

79. I recently stumbled across a group called Republicans for Obama.

Politics is always full of surprises.

[840high]

31. What?

[Enthusiast]

64. Read the comments for an illustration of conservative hate.

[stillwaiting]

68. I really shouldn't have, but I did.

And it seems like two people in this subthread don't understand my previous comments…

[Enthusiast]

71. I know.

It's disturbing to see that on DU.

[jmowreader]

8. That should be "doing for"

"Doing to" implies something bad.

[JackRiddler]

17. Incredibly bad writing, yes.

Last edited Sat Jul 12, 2014, 02:05 PM - Edit history (1)

The headline:

"Jaw-Dropping What Brad Pitt Is Doing To American Indian Reservations"

Of course I came in here thinking, that bastard!!! What is he doing to the poor Indians?!

The headline is bad in other ways. What would be wrong with, "Brad Pitt Co-Funding Green Houses on Indian Reservations"?

I know, I know, about half the clicks would be lost because it ISN'T misleading and stupid and celebrity-worshipping. Also, because I'd know what the story was from the headline, and thus might not click to find out what the hell the story is.

But what a sorry culture results. Nothing ever gives you its value on the face. Everything and always must be a lure, a hook for attention.

[jtuck004]

27. "Doing for" doesn't automagically mean it will be good for "them". Someone just thinks

it will be. Maybe even a whole bunch of people.

They might be wrong.

Not specifically in this case, just in general.

[xchrom]

38. they still need housing. nt

[RufusTFirefly]

42. Oh, come on. Copy editing is just soooo 20th century. Only eggheads worry about that stuff anymore.

[IrishAyes]

80. Words are the most powerful weapons on earth and should be used with care and respect.

Loose lips sink ships. Poor composition and lack of personal oversight reflect poorly on a person's work ethic and therefore on the person himself.

Signed,

former English Major


PS: If you really don't believe composition and copy editing are important, let me introduce you to a friend's father, a lawyer of the old school (he knew grammar and therefore how to diagram sentences), who broke a contract on the basis of a misplaced modifier. Those plagues that infest language today. Good luck in court against such as he!

[RufusTFirefly]

81. Sorry. I didn't think the sarcasm tag was necessary. Guess I was mistaken.

Signed,

former Copy Chief

(On edit: I see I did use the sarcasm tag.)

[IrishAyes]

83. When it reflects such a widely held belief on a critical cultural problem,

perhaps the sarcasm tag is necessary for those who need it as a communication crutch. Your barb was blunt.

Regardless, what a 'charming' way to call me stupid. May I return the compliment?

[RufusTFirefly]

84. Turns out I actually DID use the sarcasm tag. Take a chill pill.

By the way, Harry Bridges was a great guy, but he probably shouldn't get credit for your sig line.
He may have said it too, but that line pre-dates him by quite a bit. It dates back to the Wobblies.

[IrishAyes]

85. It dates back farther than the Wobblies.

And yes, I know when someone's trying to pick a fight. With men it's usually their need to pee higher on the tree.

A well-crafted sharp barb doesn't NEED the sarcasm tag. That's a crutch.

[RufusTFirefly]

86. I believe you mean "further" not "farther."

Frank: Anything further, Father?
Wagstaff: Anything further, Father? That can't be right. Isn't it 'Anything Father, further?'

[IrishAyes]

87. "You can't fool me! There ain't no Sanity Clause!"

Chico.

Sorry I don't recall off hand which movie.

[IrishAyes]

88. Anyway, just to be slightly serious for a moment:

'Further' is a verb. He went to great lengths to further his cause.

'Farther' is a noun. He went farther than anyone else to further his cause.

Now let's rejoin the others, shall we, before someone yells 'get a room'.

[IrishAyes]

82. Please see reply #80 to Rufus.

[heaven05]

9. walking the walk!!

very well done.

[NealK]

11. K&R

[mother earth]

13. Inspiring good news, TY, xchrom for sharing here. K & R

[defacto7]

20. While reading the OP I was thinking,

Gees, I wish I could be part of a thing like that....

Now I see how I can. Thanks.

Now I wish I could contribute hands on. I love these projects.

[IronLionZion]

15. Very Cool, K+R+B

I'm glad to see a resurgence in the need for affordable single family homes. HUD has admitted the high-rise apartment model was an epic fail. Single homes are harder for gangs to takeover and control.

[NeoNerd]

16. Encouraging

[Mnemosyne]

23. Welcome NeoNerd! Nice to see the good guys making a difference, isn't it?

[niyad]

49. welcome to du

[Skittles]

18. Mr. Pitt does the kind of stuff I would do if I won the lottery

everyone else seems to dream how they'd change their own lives but I dream of doing the kind of things he does

[defacto7]

21. Me too.

But if everyone had the attitude we have, there would be nothing to do!

[IronLionZion]

32. Me too

until then, there are other ways to support the cause.

[Helen Borg]

33. I would probably not tell anyone.

Then travel a lot and help anyone who seems like a nice person and needs some help to fulfill their potential.

[awoke_in_2003]

59. my wife says if she won the lottery

she would buy a bus so she could drive the kids to school. I remind her I used to walk to school in the snow (when I lived in Ohio, in Fort Worth now) but she doesn't care. She is a big softie

[raouldukelives]

65. Yeah, I don't get it. That latest story about the winner donating to the arts is awesome.

I sometimes think what a few hundred million could do for mental health care & homeless outreach in my area. It would only improve it 2000%.
Then I think of the people that would make Pitt look practically homeless himself. They could drop that much and not blink an eye.
Then I think of where that money comes from. None of it comes from trying to help others or to make the world a better place. All of it comes from ensuring we kill off most of the flora & fauna on the planet, if not ourselves.
They should keep that money. Any charity that accepts funding from people who profit from making the lives of the life on this planet harder, or even impossible, is money that must be rejected on principle.

If someone profits from Wall St, and then uses all of that money to back a "liberal" political candidate. They are doing much more harm than any meager and short lived assistance that money would provide. They would have performed a far greater service for us all by never partaking in the first place.
But, not backing the people financially who are destroying the lives of our children, of every furry and fuzzy animal, of everything that makes life not only worth living, but possible, is apparently crazy talk to some.

[VA_Jill]

19. Seems like

I recall he did quite a bit in NOLA after Katrina too. He's quite low-key about it, which I like, no trumpets and fanfares, just goes and does it.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

22. Need something done?

Ask a busy person. And in the cases of Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie, kind persons.

K&R

[DesertDiamond]

24. This guy doesn't stop thinking of great things to do with his money! Sexy is as sexy does!!

[Enthusiast]

25. Kicked and recommended! I love this. But the comments on that site are a thing to behold.

They are just horrible. Those people are pure haters. They hate everyone for anything they can think of. Don't read them if you are easily upset.

[jtuck004]

29. Where are the neighbors?

Those are pretty, and I am sure they will offer a better place to live than some of what a few have to put up with on areas of some of the most gut-grinding poverty we manufacture in this country, across many regions in the Native Nations, at a cultural level which this country helped create. 20 houses. Good. They need them.

That said...

"Using participatory democracy principles, Pitt’s organization organizers met with families and community leaders about their needs and their vision for their new homes, and how the builders can preserve the culture of the Assiniboine and Sioux tribes, such as doorways facing east or north and using tribally significant colors."

They are cold in the winter, we offer them design assistance.

Has anyone ever actually been onto these places? Amazing, warm, deep, caring people, with a completely different (some argue better) set of priorities, and a culture which really doesn't reward beating up on each other like ours does..they fight, but at least it's personal

Still, unless you drop a few non-running used cars into the picture, this is all fiction anyway.

A pretty house dropped into the middle of abject poverty, where many people don't even have food and sustainable heat in the worst winters we have (to this point anyway) is an interesting thought.

Wait till they build it and come back for pictures and there are 50 people inside trying to stay warm, a few skins, some sage and some sour roots hanging all over those railings and from that roof, and whatever the cameraman steps on outside the door squishes, wasn't meant to be compressed.

And then the owner loses it at the pow-wow, gambling.

That wouldn't turn a head among those good people. Because they know that people are more important than things. Which is why we had to segregate them. Can't have that kind of thinking being successful.

...
Fort Deck, America’s ninth-largest Native American reservation, has over 6,000 tribal members living on the 2-million-acre reservation. Over 600 people are waiting for housing. That means overcrowding is all too common.

The Washington Post has reported unemployment is over 50 percent on the reservations, with approximately three out of every four children live in poverty, and the cycle of abuse imposed on the First Nation Peoples includes widespread problems with alcohol and methamphetamines exist in the communities there.
...

Thank you for this.

[JDPriestly]

35. Maybe these few houses will inspire others to help out too.

[xchrom]

36. they still need housing...since you are a critic ... what do you suggest?

and by the way - not everybody who lives on the rez lives the way you described.

[jtuck004]

39. How about a jobs program so they can buy their own homes? How about some infrastructure

investment so their electricity doesn't go off in the winter and they have to ask for assistance? Schools that are funded and equal? Treat their languages as the cultural artifacts they are to help engender respect?

There is a long, long list of things that they have asked for and been denied - pretty sure Brad PItt Model Homes has never been on the list, but I could be mistaken.

And, frankly, if everyone wants to stick their head in the sand and pretend the great benevolence is what is needed, it wouldn't be much different from what is going on in the larger society.

I would be more interested in what the people had to say than a bunch of do-gooders.

And you mis-charactarize - I'm not a critic of the house. I said it was a good thing in the first paragraph - perhaps I typed to swiftly?

I am a critic of the effort and the glorification that I think is ill-deserved.

That'll be a great place if their lights aren't on because they can't pay the bill, but all the "do-it-for-ya" folks will be long gone, as usual.

[xchrom]

40. Building housing is infrastructure.

Doing this doesn't interfere in any way with jobs programs.

With a jobs program - they would still need housing.
Being able to 'afford' a house doesn't appear like magic beans.

What if you're a senior living in deplorable condition? A jobs program won't help.

[jtuck004]

62. Being able to afford a house means they can build or buy one. Not wait for the benevolence

of some half-ass actor or a bunch of do-gooders bent on salving their own egos.

A jobs program makes you independent. Handouts keep you dependent. Look around...

But you have all your answers, so we don't need to talk any longer.

[xchrom]

63. and while waiting for this jobs program to show significant results

they can't have housing?

i see.

[DebJ]

89. I don't think that one person or organization could make the needed changes

that you speak about.

I am rather shocked that the assistance one person/organization IS able to provide
is found to be worthy of being mocked.........

Our local city could really, really use a jobs program to battle poverty. I don't see those given
housing assistance saying hey, keep your housing I'll live on the streets, give me a jobs program
or nothing.......

I just don't get it.

Glorification? I also do not comprehend the issue with being glad to see, and appreciating,
someone doing what they CAN do...

[jtuck004]

93. You think Native Americans should be grateful for anything that can be done FOR them?

Seriously?

Reminds me of Pat Buchanan who, among others, suggests that slavery was a good thing because it helped blacks come to America.

I guess it's all in how you look at it. Or maybe it's the blinders.

Good luck, and goodbye.

[DebJ]

96. Well then if this is so hideous and insulting, then none of them will accept the houses.

As I said, its not like one person or organization can make all the necessary changes.

[Bluenorthwest]

91. The community has a housing shortage, these houses are solar and engergy efficient

"Currently, more than 600 people are waiting for housing on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Overcrowding is a chronic problem, with multiple families commonly living together in two-bedroom homes due to lack of accommodation. The solar-powered homes will have between three and four bedrooms, two to three bathrooms and be available to tribal members whose income levels are at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income."

http://inhabitat.com/brad-pitts-make-it-right-to-build-20-leed-platinum-homes-for-sioux-and-assiniboine-tribes-in-montana/

[Bluenorthwest]

90. In that mountain of bullshit, I just want to say that the racism is very ugly. You say this:

"And then the owner loses it at the pow-wow, gambling."

Pretty fucking racist meme right there, champ.

[geardaddy]

94. +1

[Helen Borg]

30. Nice 3D renderings.

[JDPriestly]

34. K&R. Thank you, Brad Pitt.

This is what happens when money gets into the right hands.

[Eleanors38]

92. I think Jolie is a good chunk native American herself.

[MissDeeds]

37. Wow

Brad and Angie each are really making a difference. Good for them.

K&R

[sheshe2]

41. WOW!

[SummerSnow]

43. Mr. Pitt. You're great guy.

[handmade34]

45. much better reading it

somewhere other than beforeitsnews.com

http://inhabitat.com/brad-pitts-make-it-right-to-build-20-leed-platinum-homes-for-sioux-and-assiniboine-tribes-in-montana/

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/gallery/photo/brad-pitt-fort-peck-5-designs-sustainable-houses-155456

http://makeitright.org/

[calimary]

47. He sure puts his money where his mouth is.

All the more reason to like, or yes, love Brad Pitt. THIS is true handsome-ness. To me, he looks great because he's handsome on the inside.

[blue sky at night]

48. I got to see the lower ninth

the work they are doing is truly fantastic...such good looking houses and with all the right stuff to ride out the next storm. I was amazed.

[niyad]

50. k and r

[Kablooie]

51. Some of the 1% try to use their money to help other people.

They aren't all selfish, greedy pigs.

(Though most probably are.)

[nikto]

53. That's just a fancy LIBERAL HOLLYWOOD-TYPE at work

Shouldn't he be out selling reverse-mortgages to senior-citizens,
like Fred Thompson is doing?

[valerief]

54. It would be jaw-dropping if Kelsey Grammer did it. Or Clint Eastwood.

Or Ben Stein or Adam Sandler or Gloria Estefan or Patricia Heaton or Pat Sajak or Sarah Michelle Gellar or Alice Cooper or Jon Voight or Sylvester Stallone or Chuck Norris or Mel Gibson or any other celebrity Republican.

Brad Pitt has empathy (not a Republican value), so it's not jaw-dropping.

[nxylas]

66. Stallone claimed to be a Democrat at one time

Not sure if he's still claiming that, though I'd have thought he'd be more at home in today's Democratic Party than back in the 1980s.

[valerief]

67. Buzzfeed says he's Republican. Whatever. nt

[2banon]

55. Right on. Good on Him..

[klook]

58. Cool project

and for a community that can really use a boost.

[flamingdem]

60. What a great person

he turned out to be.

[mackerel]

61. I really like the design concepts. Is there a floor plan?

[xchrom]

69. if they are pre-fab and it looks like they are

then there would be floor plans.