Tag: #Genocide

IN GAZA

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IN GAZA

IN GAZA

By John Curran

I heard of this mythical country where the only problem seems to be the ancient peoples who have lived on this land for centuries. Only fairly recently has a new country showed up here with a mandate for a chunk of this land. This was based on a world mandate allowed after this new country’s own peoples had been through their own modern day horror show, the Holocaust. And so, with this, and feeling rightly justified in at last having their own much deserved homeland for their peoples, since then this new country has been growing increasingly irritated and put out at having to share this land with other ancient peoples.

Now this new kid on the block so to speak, has over this recent time of seventy years or so, been getting armed to the teeth, in fact has created the most powerful military force in this mythical part of the world with the substantial assistance of the victorious Western powers. In this any and all collective guilt; lets face it the Holocaust was no small change; is assuaged. Tons and tons of weaponry continually being delivered to the new kid  because “nobody kicks us around anymore. It is us now who do the kicking”  And this seems to be the new style of play. The team captain, Bibi, quite the player, somehow never draws the ‘go directly to jail’ card whenever he plays Monopoly.

Nobody knows how he gets away with it but, in interview, surrounded by all those generals, you can maybe figure. And be assured by Bibi that there is no starvation of the Palestinian peoples, no sad choice between a slow death or a fast one, ‘cuz none of this is actually happening. Bibi says what these ancient peoples need to do is just quit complaining and trade in that damn donkey cart for a nice red Tesla. I mean gotta figure, lot of real estate potential in that beachside strip, what’s it called, I only hear it every day. But I don’t believe it. They shoot them in the head? Children?

Thanksgiving In Perspective

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OPINION: Thanksgiving In Perspective

OPINION: From My Perspective

A Traditional Thanksgiving May Become a Relic of the Past

By Megan Wallin

As an adoptee with strong ties to and respect for my biological Oglala Lakota heritage—now three generations and several European ancestors away from life on the reservation—I’ve had some qualms with traditional American views of Thanksgiving.

There are quite a few people (Native and Non) who feel similarly, but I’ve also spoken with some elders who, despite being deeply ingrained in their tribal cultures, feel neutral on the subject. Their reasoning? Holidays are what you make them. For many, any holiday is a day off to share with loved ones and focus on gratitude, and that includes this one. Still, it remains a bleak reminder of the origin story behind genocide and intergeneration trauma.

Ironically, some of the people I’ve talked to who are most passionately opposed to Thanksgiving have entirely European heritage. They’ve proposed enjoying the day off but celebrating a Harvest Day, changing the title and the focus of a day ultimately rooted in celebrating colonialism that led to the destruction of tribes, families, cultures and languages. They’re certainly not wrong to think that.

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Sectarianism In Europe; Fear Of Foreigners

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NOT OF THE TRIBE:

FEAR OF THE FOREIGNER

By Trevor K. McNeil

The Roots of Difference

Human beings are tribal. By definition. Whether it is literally in the context of a family, or a tribal group, or a nation, there is always an “in” group.  And as the Newtonian law of opposites tells us, there is also an “out” group. There has always been a fear of foreigners. Also known as xenophobia. Such is a biologically determined certainty.

Persecution  Of “Out” Groups

What is not certain, or even particularly static, are the qualities that separate the “in” groups and the “out” groups. There are some factors common to many situations but no single indicator that determines whether a group is accepted or rejected. Not even what is called “race” or “culture.” There being cases of persecution between groups of similar if not the same, or close cultural and racial backgrounds. On going hostilities have existed for thousands of years.

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