Word: washin
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1950-1959
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
After the baby had been pronounced dead of pneumonia in an informal inquest at the bus station in Salt Lake City, the fearful Navajos pleaded that it be sent home by other means. That, they were told, was impossible. To Navajos the mysterious word "Washin-tone" stands for all Government officialdom. "Washin-tone," they cried. "Will they not take care of it?" But impatient cops ordered, "Back on the bus. Back on the bus. Take the baby with you." One of them added: "Just put it in the baggage rack...
...morning until 4 in the afternoon, they sat on stiff-backed chairs in the sheriff's office while an autopsy was performed on the baby. Finally they were released to return to their hogans at Manuelito, 13 miles away. But three more days passed before papers arrived from "Washin-tone" (i.e., Salt Lake City) which allowed them to bury their child...
This week, many of the Navajos who had ridden on the bus were quietly going through cleansing rites with medicine men to counteract the influence of the chindi. "Washin-tone"-and all white officialdom -seemed more remote and unfriendly than ever...