A letter written by Chief Seattle to the President in the 1800s was read by Harry Dean Stanton in David Lynch's movie The Straight Story (1999). This letter, which begins with the phrase "How could you buy or sell the sky," was used by Lynch to help Stanton emotionally prepare for a scene where he needed to cry. The letter attributed to Chief Seattle, which begins with the phrase "How could you buy or sell the sky," is as follows: "How can you buy or sell the sky - the warmth of the land? The idea is strange to us. Yet we do not own the freshness of the air or the sparkle of the water. How can you buy them from us? We will decide in our time. Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing, and every humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people. We know that the white man does not understand our ways. One portion of land is the same to him as the next, for he is a stranger who comes in the night and takes from the land whatever he needs. The earth is not his brother, but his enemy, and when he has conquered it, he moves on. He leaves his father’s graves and his children’s birthright is forgotten. The sight of your cities pains the eyes of the redman. But perhaps it is because the redman is a savage and does not understand".
I get very 😅emotional watching Mr Lynch explaining things because he is so authentic, articulate and precise; he really wants to share in his unique way with us his views, inspiration and Art 🖼️ ❤🎉
