The Middle Ages are full of such examples. The attempt to civilize, assimilate, and ultimately save was the underlying principle of French and Portuguese colonial rule in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Native Americans had built great civilizations with many millions of people long before Columbus wandered lost into the Caribbean. He didnt discover America; it was already there. And the death and destruction he brought with him in the name of his civilization should make Americans who know their history a little less inclined to celebrate Columbus Day with such fanfare. The idea that savages need to be saved from themselves is also the ideological premise on which Christian missionary evangelization attempts were based on. Bringing the word of God and the light of culture was every civilized mans obligation. Here at home the Canadian Indian residential school system is a giant stain on our countrys conscience, and should be. Perhaps if the average Canadian knew more about the monstrosities committed they would be more inclined to pay attention to the Idle No More movement and why it matters. The forced assimilation of our First Nations is indeed a Barbaric Cultural Act of our own, yet we like to sweep it under the rug.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 20:02:57 +0000
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