It was without a doubt a political cheap shot. My question is, was what he said factually accurate?
The people who started these schools thought they were doing the right thing, what they became and what was done to these kids by many of the people running the schools is another matter.
We judge these people through eyes 150 years later. No doubt people 150 years from now will sanctimoniously judge the things we say and do according to their standards. I doubt we will measure up.
The first residential schools were instituted a mere 47 years after slavery was abolished in the British Empire. Racism was fashionable at the time, the Empire was at its height. These were people of their time acting according to the conventions of their time. As abhorrent as we find these things now, it doesn't make them bad people.
To say their heart was in the right place is offensive. It diminishes, excuses and tries to justify the horrors that took place.
We would never say the abusive husband was just trying to teach wifely duties by assaulting her and he didn't know better because in those days it was ok to hit your wife. We are rightfully aghast.
Same goes for residential schools, there is no they were awful 'but' anything. They were awful. Period.
Home
Contact
Login
Register