Suck it up... Margaret Wente is right
Yet another assault on a columnist by the PC Police. I have no time for professional victims, especially when my tax dollars subsidize them to the tune of 10 billion annually.
Here's the link to the facebook site referenced below -
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=45016000567&ref=mf,
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Globe & Mail defends columnist who argued native cultures are inferior to European: more than 1800 people call for Wente's dismissal via Facebook, letters
Thursday, October 29, Canada/ -- Globe and Mail senior columnist Margaret Wente faced a firestorm of criticism, complaints and canceled subscriptions after she wrote a column arguing that Indigenous civilizations are less advanced than those of European descent, and that Indigenous cultures are "neolithic" and of no use in the modern world.
After a flood of letters and phone calls, the Globe and Mail published an official response today. Comment editor Sylvia Stead stated that "as a national columnist, Ms. Wente is paid to express her opinions... These matters are within the bounds of reasonable public discussion."
Many critics, however, say that Stead's response glosses over the real issue and did not address what they deemed Wente's racism.
"Not only does the Globe and Mail not realize the blatant racism and ignorance of her article, but that Ms. Wente is in fact paid to be racist and ignorant," wrote Niigonwedom James Sinclair, an English instructor at the University of Winnipeg, in a response posted to the Fire Margaret Wente Facebook group.
Wente's article "is the very definition of racism, and it encourages Canadians to believe that European colonization and subordination of Indigenous peoples was somehow justifiable," wrote Kalin Stacey of Toronto wrote in the same group, which now has over 1800 members.
"The Globe and Mail is much more interested in promoting and standing up for Ms. Wente," added Flora Dayrider of Calgary, "than building the bridge of understanding with First Nations people."
Wente's original article has not been disavowed or criticized by the Globe's editors.
"It is simply not permissible to say that aboriginal culture was less evolved than European culture or Chinese culture – even though it's true," Wente wrote of 17th century Indigenous people.
Wente extended the sentiment to the present day. "A neolithic culture cannot possibly give them a future. And it's time for us to face that," Wente wrote.
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Response received from the Globe and Mail:
Dear [],
Thank you for your phone call regarding Margaret Wente's column of October 25.
As a national columnist, Ms. Wente is paid to express her opinions. For our part, we understand that many people might find those opinions offensive for a variety of reasons. Indeed, we encourage our columnists to speak with strong voices.
In this instance, a blunt and simplifying headline amplified Mr. Wente's column, while she herself called Dick Pound's remarks "stupid" and found his "choice of words" to be "inflammatory, to say the very least." She went on to discuss the differences between the aboriginal cultures of 400 years ago, on the one hand, and those of Europe and China, on the other. In her opinion, Europe and China were more technologically advanced. She also took issue with some views of history that she believes affect public policy today. These matters are within the bounds of reasonable public discussion. At the same time, Ms. Wente made clear that Aboriginals in Canada have been victims of grave injustice.
Editorials are the voice of the newspaper. On the same day as Ms. Wente's column, an editorial strongly chastised Mr. Pound for his comments, calling them bizarre and offensive. The editorial said in part: "Let's not kid ourselves. North America 400 years ago was not a paradise...But then China, under Mao, is credited with what some scholars believe was the greatest genocide in history. There is nothing North American natives can be accused of that can hold a candle to what the Nazis did to Europe's Jews. And, oh yes, Europeans, in their efforts to spread civilization to the natives of the Americas, also spread microbial pestilence and practised what has been characterized as "purposeful genocide," killing tens of millions of people."
Columns by Gary Mason and Rod Mickleburgh also discussed the controversy in different terms from Ms. Wente. A number of Letters to the Editor were published chastizing her. We also published a comment article by native scholar Hayden King who explained why native civilization was superior to European civilization. We believe in free speech and robust debate accepting that at times it will offend.
The Globe and Mail has long been a leader in writing about First Nations issues, notably including the residential schools, and we are building on that record. We also understand that these topics are very sensitive and are sorry if the discussion upset you. We hope and trust that you will continue to read and engage with our newspaper.
Yours truly,
Sylvia Stead
Deputy Editor SStead@globeandmail.com
The world's populations continue to grow and expand. It was natural to colonized the mostly empty North American continent.
The first settlers may not have treated the natives well, but we cannot be held accountable for the deeds of people who lived hundreds of years ago. Many are holding themselves accountable by choice. That is just plain stupid and debilitating.
In recent decades we have bent ourselves in to pretzels trying make amends to the tune of billions per year of our hard earned tax dollars. I has done nothing but harm. We have seen the Indians are unwilling to join the larger modern society where all are welcome but they should take responsibility for themselves.
That relegates them to a backward culture of welfare recipients. They have little self esteem and no pride. Their reserves look like inner city ghettos without the big grey buildings. They are the highest prison population in Canada.
All that Wente and Pound did was call a spade a spade. It is the obsession with political correctness fueled by some kind of cultural guilt that vilifies them.
I am proud of our modern culture and all the good it had done for the human condition. I guess the Lefties who are puking on Wente and Pound do not share a pride of culture. It would seem they have that in common with their Indian wards.
To those I say ... may your guilt stay with you, you deserve it.
Well said Birdy. I have grown tired of the faux victim class.
I'm half native and she didn't offend me, what does offend me is the leftards trying to get her fired for having an opinion that doesn't mirror their snot and bawling nonsensical rewriting of our history. I can't view face book I refuse to become a drone and setup an account.
Thanks for the heads up Blaze, I left a rather snotty comment on the thread at the GM. They usually censor me, I guess I'm more than the leftards can handle. Dah.
any links to the original article please? I would love to read it. Clearly there is no free speech in Canada I think we all know that now and certainly no diversity of opinion. Historically this always leads to very bad things. I cite this article about Belgium as an example. (sorry I don't know how to embed links but am willing to learn) http://vladtepesblog.com/?p=2797
This is happening in Canada as we know although more through professional ostracism and absurd HRC processes than through Gulags as Belgium has opted for but its only a matter of time.
In any case any links to the original article much appreciated.
VTB
Wow, cool. I can remember talking about the whole "Dick Pound thing" over at Heartless and Brainless a little while ago, and using this article as my source.
Oh, by the way, here's a link to the article in question.
Interesting to see how some are calling for the removal of a columnist for the act of being a columnist.
Heather Mallick was one thing. Margaret Wente? Hell, it sounds like she only encouraged a more healthy debate around the topic. If everyone chants from one side of an issue such as the Dick Pound incident, then what's the point of even having columnists?
Oh, Vlad, I had a similar question about embedding links, which Truepeers over at Covenant Zone was able to help me with, by pointing me toward this guide.
A columnist, Margaret Wente,
Got herself into trouble, plente.
When her bold badinage
Called First Nations "sauvage"
It was like getting caught "in flagr(e)nte".
Hehe;)
How long until the HRC complaint is filed?
I'm sure multiple instances are already in the works.
"Stone Age" pretty much describes the "cultures" that European explorers encountered upon arrival on North America's shores. To boot, the further north one went, the more "Stone Age" were those existing "cultures" at the time. This means that "Canadian aboriginal 'culture'" of the period was literally hundreds of thousands of years behind the Aztecs, let alone the Europeans.
Canadians need to get over their political correctness. Canadian "aboriginal groups" need to come to terms with the "facts" of their history, including the fact that theirs is the first "Stone Age civilization" to be referred to as a "culture".
Now, excuse me while I pursue my study of Stone Age literary, scientific, and socio-cultural achievements...
HELLO BIRDY said it all! All hail HELLO BIRDY!!!!
BIRDY, as an educator and former Canadian bleeding heart who spent yerars "on reserve" across Canada in various teaching posts, Canada's "native/aboriginal" population and leadership wore me down to the point where I actively advocate the cessation of all support to "native sinkholes and moneypits". I have NEVER seen such corruption on so grand a scale ever, anywhere. And "native poverty" is ENTIRELY SUSTAINED by "native leadership".
I feel NO GUILT WHATSOEVER about anything "native' anymore. At all. Nyet. Nada. Zilch.
But I sure am beginning to RESENT native extortion of Canadian tax dollars.
Hey I would like to say something to the last coment... RESENT? I will give you something there it did happen hundreds of years ago... FYI the last residential school closed 1990... less then 100 years ago if I'm correct. I'm sure the aboriginal people RESENT the colinization and the genocide. The fact that over 50% of the children in care are aboriginal. Food for thought..
1. The Holocaust of World War II was not only one of the most tragic events of the 20th century, but of modern history in general. Close to 6 million Jews (nearly two-thirds of all European Jews) and many other people perished. By comparison, approximately how many Indigenous people in the Americas (North and South) died within a century of Christopher Columbus’ arrival?
Nearly 5 million – roughly half the existing population
Nearly 10 million – roughly half the existing population
Nearly 10 million – roughly 95% of the existing population
Nearly 100 million – roughly 90 % of the existing population
The correct answer is:
“Nearly 100 million – roughly 90% of the existing population”
The estimated population range of Indigenous people in 1492 is 112 million to 125 million. Within a few generations of their first encounter with Europeans, nearly all native people in the Western Hemisphere were exterminated. In terms of the number dead, the destruction of the Indians of the Americas ranks as the largest act of genocide in history.
It must be remembered that extermination of Indigenous people in the Americas was celebrated. For example, US President Theodore Roosevelt recounted the US Military’s mass murder and dismemberment of hundreds of Indian women and children at Sand Creek in Colorado “as righteous and beneficial a deed as ever took place on the frontier”.
Source:
Churchill, W. (1998). A Little Matter of Genocide, Holocaust and Denial in the America's Since 1492. Winnipeg,
MB: Arbeiter Ring Publishing. pp. xvi – 3.
Redcorax thanks for your comment, but are you citing Ward "Little Eichamans" Churchill? I am not sure I believe anything he has written - unless he plagiarized it - then I would give it the benefit of the doubt.
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