Saturday, June 10, 2006
While walking with Matthew through the field at former St. Mary's Residential School I took the opportunity to talk about history - specifically the residential school.
The onset of the schools in Canada, though perhaps originated for noble reasons from the viewpoint of those who established them, were the home of abuse and disintegration of first nations traditions and culture, as well as separation of the family. In my opinion, they were formed out of a zealousness that was not backed by humility. I didn't say it this way to Matthew, but talked about the children who for the sake of traditional education were taken from their homes, villages, language in order to pursue the education which was considered acceptable and superior. I'm not a history buff, so I know it is more complicated than that. There were undoubtedly people who loved the children and who nurtured them, so I can't paint all those involved as bad.
The First Nations people were not the only ones forcibly removed from their families when leaders decided educational standards were not being met. I have a Russian friend of Doukhobor ancestry who was taken from her family and moved to an education "commune" in Kaslo. This commune had previously been used to intern Japanese Familes, as a "precautionary" measure to eliminate dissidence after the bombing of Pearl Harbour. It was easy to spot the features of the Japanese, and with their homeland attacking the United States, everyone living near quick access to the ocean was considered a threat to the nation. Can you imagine the prejudice of the nation, where those with Asian features were all taken as potential enemies? Their belongings were all removed from them for no compensation (until at minor attempt in 1988), plus many of them were forced to pay for their internment. It was at such a place that my friend spent part of her childhood, surrounded by the history of prejudice and fear, imbedded into the deteriorated facility.
As Matthew and I talked on a level he could understand, he would make comments about hating some of the cultures who had done these things. I would point out that he is part of those nationalities. He said he didn't like Germans because of the acts of the Nazis. But he is part German. He didn't like Japanese because they bombed Pearl Harbour. Yet, the North Americans dropped the horrible A-bomb that melted people into being unrecognizable, like aliens, and annihilated huge cities. How can we say any one is better than the other? I came to two conclusions...two morals of the story.
One: many things are done with religion instead of Christ as the motivator. For those who do it, perhaps there is the belief that they are one and the same. Two: Fear makes bad decisions. The Japanese were interned because of fear...without foundation. Of the two morals, that is the most powerful.
Are you paralyzed by something, and frantically feel you need to just move anywhere to get unstuck? Moving is good, but don't make your decisions out of your fear. Don't think of the worst thing that can happen and try to respond to what you imagine. Don't imprison anyone...including yourself.
The onset of the schools in Canada, though perhaps originated for noble reasons from the viewpoint of those who established them, were the home of abuse and disintegration of first nations traditions and culture, as well as separation of the family. In my opinion, they were formed out of a zealousness that was not backed by humility. I didn't say it this way to Matthew, but talked about the children who for the sake of traditional education were taken from their homes, villages, language in order to pursue the education which was considered acceptable and superior. I'm not a history buff, so I know it is more complicated than that. There were undoubtedly people who loved the children and who nurtured them, so I can't paint all those involved as bad.
The First Nations people were not the only ones forcibly removed from their families when leaders decided educational standards were not being met. I have a Russian friend of Doukhobor ancestry who was taken from her family and moved to an education "commune" in Kaslo. This commune had previously been used to intern Japanese Familes, as a "precautionary" measure to eliminate dissidence after the bombing of Pearl Harbour. It was easy to spot the features of the Japanese, and with their homeland attacking the United States, everyone living near quick access to the ocean was considered a threat to the nation. Can you imagine the prejudice of the nation, where those with Asian features were all taken as potential enemies? Their belongings were all removed from them for no compensation (until at minor attempt in 1988), plus many of them were forced to pay for their internment. It was at such a place that my friend spent part of her childhood, surrounded by the history of prejudice and fear, imbedded into the deteriorated facility.
As Matthew and I talked on a level he could understand, he would make comments about hating some of the cultures who had done these things. I would point out that he is part of those nationalities. He said he didn't like Germans because of the acts of the Nazis. But he is part German. He didn't like Japanese because they bombed Pearl Harbour. Yet, the North Americans dropped the horrible A-bomb that melted people into being unrecognizable, like aliens, and annihilated huge cities. How can we say any one is better than the other? I came to two conclusions...two morals of the story.
One: many things are done with religion instead of Christ as the motivator. For those who do it, perhaps there is the belief that they are one and the same. Two: Fear makes bad decisions. The Japanese were interned because of fear...without foundation. Of the two morals, that is the most powerful.
Are you paralyzed by something, and frantically feel you need to just move anywhere to get unstuck? Moving is good, but don't make your decisions out of your fear. Don't think of the worst thing that can happen and try to respond to what you imagine. Don't imprison anyone...including yourself.
// posted by Annette @ 12:06 p.m. 