It seems that we veterans in the process of putting our selves a vulnerable
positions in hope of creating a voice for women veterans have found ourselves in
yet another form of exploitation. I know find myself as the lab rat for 400
students who are to diagnose and provide treatment strategies as their final
project, (to include a poster of me), at Columbia University. Helen sold 400
books and allowed the committee to move forward in exploiting me at another
level that is so devastating and dehumanizing that I am in a survival mode as I
sit in my friends Anu's house wondering if I should cry, attack, or just
disappear. How can anyone live with the idea that 400 people have taken a
microscope to my life and shredded it to bits, without knowing who I am or
wondering how that knowledge will affect me. I have come to New York to try and
resolve this issue.

I hope to send a message that this will not be allowed in other places. there is
a movement of about half of the graduating students protesting the micro
analysis of the project be omitted per my request. the committee has neither
offered and apology nor have they made arrangements to contact me about this
situation. Dismissing me perhaps because I am not an academic and I am not
worthy of an apology, or any type of restitution for myself or the students.
Even the students get that this is morally unethical period. While the staff
continues to site the social work ethics and legal jargon of being able to
perpetuate me because i am seen as a public figure thus, gives them the right to
insist the students continue with the project even though the students feel they
cannot morally continue. Its just plain wrong period........

The dean has intervened and merely states that it is "unfortunate" that I have
been affected in this way. This coming from the Dept. of Social Work??? Is this
what our schools are teaching? I hope that those of you who are in academia and
in the helping field will recognize the pain associated with diagnosing and
treating a real person with a real picture attached as part of the project. Had
the staff thought it over they could have developed a composite of several
people and put together something that was anonymous and helpful to students.
Instead they dismiss that fact that it is wrong and support the author's
continued exploitation and false promises made by the author just to get me to
sign the dotted line. I am living my ancestor's life at this moment in betrayal
once again for trusting a non indian with my life.

If this is to go on in other universities I foresee some real damage to veterans
and fear the exploitation will need to some very negative consequences for all
to have to live with this lifetime. Those of you in the field of social work or
academia, i hope you will pass this message along.

Peace

Eli PaintedCrow

Advocate for soldiers
Advocate for Peace