“This, then, is the great humanistic and historical task for the oppressed: to liberate themselves and their oppressors as well”
Paulo Freire
CONVENCER y no VENCER; Convince and do not defeat
Throughout the county, many cities and other larger civic areas are re-naming Coloumbus Day as Indigenous People’s Day. For the generations of First Nations people who continue to struggle within the framework of “America”, this change is recognition that the machine-washed narrative of the US as a human rights leader and defender can be challenged. While many in the country continue to support it as the “greatest democracy in the world” it is unescapable that for so much of the history of the US, oppression and abuse of non-European peoples was routine (as was the subjugation of women, poor people, union organizers, gays and lesbians – but that is another part of this story.) That elements of this oppression continue shows that it is structural, not simply policy or practice. So while readiness to re-write the narrative is an important step, the road to true equality is long and littered with mines along the way.
Let’s not forget another piece of historical re-write that has occured in our generation. It is within our historical memory that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made the transition from polarizing figure in life to canonized saint in death. His legacy in peaceful, direct action is now extolled by many liberals and conservatives alike as the “right” way to bring about change. He is now memorialized in streets, buildings, in popular art and is so revered that a holiday been observed in his honor for more than 2 decades. But if we can be honest, has this re-write of history produced lasting change? Did the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement prevent the rise of Trumpism? Did it stamp out judgement due to color or creed, or political “tribalism” set in regional politics? It opened some doors, changed some minds, asked some important questions – but it did NOT unmake the foundations of a country built in Colonialism. It is unclear that any amount of re-writing or re-tasking traditional holidays or mistaken narratives will do.
Should the message be to simply permit continued reverence for “Columbus Day”, allow Confederate monuments to stand, let telescopes to the stars be built in disrespect to the people on the ground? Of course not. But we cannot lull ourselves into the delusion that accomplishing those tasks is suffcient evidence that things are changing for the better. They are, but ever so slowly and ever so superficially, and not without opposition. This post begins with a quote from the Brazialian educator Paulo Friere. And certainly there are those who bristle at its implications. They might say there is simply no obligation – or any time or energy – to liberate everyone including those who started as oppressors. But until we create a new way to relate that recognizes the terrible history of this country but commits to building a new, inclusive world for all – we can hope to change holidays but not much more.
So Happy Indigenous People’s Day. We are here despite so many barriers. There are others who are with us, and they are welcomed members of the struggle. Let’s start down this road together, dangerous as it is and hope there are those who will follow and finish.
The Seven Tasks 