This new fad regarding aboriginal culture is kind like a new anthropology with a Disneyland feel to it. It's like ticking the box of knowing 'all about it'.
The discovery of the mass graves is an utter lie. Genocide in Canada against various tribes is a 21st century myth. Is Aboriginal affairs riddled with politics? That's culture?
"Decolonization" is a made-up term that can mean anything one wants it to mean. One example given is "Decolonizing" language. The term "Settler" has replaced "Pioneer." We don't hear the word "Pioneer" at all any more to describe the original immigrants from Europe and other places who came to Canada. "Pioneer" implies hardship and hard work, development, independence, and enterprise. "Settler" implies people settled on the land and didn't have to do a thing, everything came to them on account of their "Privilege" as "Colonists" by exploiting the Indigenous people. This example of "decolonizing" language, is Orwellian, created by those with an identity politics agenda.
Good article, Jim. Not being a critic here, but please check on the usage of that phrase from Hamlet (hoist by one's own petard); I think you may be using it incorrectly. I confess that I myself used to think it meant to fall on one's own sword; it's more like, to blow oneself up with one's own bomb. Far be it from any of us to wish that on JT : )
I liked the point of decolonization being nihilistic - it serves no purpose to shame people for their origins. For us to function as a mixed bag of cultures and histories we have to accept what's good and reject or learn from what isn't good from our various backgrounds.
This new fad regarding aboriginal culture is kind like a new anthropology with a Disneyland feel to it. It's like ticking the box of knowing 'all about it'.
The discovery of the mass graves is an utter lie. Genocide in Canada against various tribes is a 21st century myth. Is Aboriginal affairs riddled with politics? That's culture?
I had a chance to look at my teen’s grade 10 civics course last week. The class came up with these 4 issues of civic concern.
- indigenous
-environment
-immigration/citizenship
-equity esp. with trans issues
There is grade nine art class solely devoted to aboriginal art. But where is the course on world civilizations? The kids have no perspective.
Meanwhile, if I describe the teaching biases to other parents, they have no idea what’s happened or happening. God save us. (Can I say that still?)
"Decolonization" is a made-up term that can mean anything one wants it to mean. One example given is "Decolonizing" language. The term "Settler" has replaced "Pioneer." We don't hear the word "Pioneer" at all any more to describe the original immigrants from Europe and other places who came to Canada. "Pioneer" implies hardship and hard work, development, independence, and enterprise. "Settler" implies people settled on the land and didn't have to do a thing, everything came to them on account of their "Privilege" as "Colonists" by exploiting the Indigenous people. This example of "decolonizing" language, is Orwellian, created by those with an identity politics agenda.
Good article, Jim. Not being a critic here, but please check on the usage of that phrase from Hamlet (hoist by one's own petard); I think you may be using it incorrectly. I confess that I myself used to think it meant to fall on one's own sword; it's more like, to blow oneself up with one's own bomb. Far be it from any of us to wish that on JT : )
I liked the point of decolonization being nihilistic - it serves no purpose to shame people for their origins. For us to function as a mixed bag of cultures and histories we have to accept what's good and reject or learn from what isn't good from our various backgrounds.