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AMERICA'S SOUL SICKNESS PART II |
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escrito por Dr. Cintli
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jueves, 15 de enero de 2009 |
In Columbus and other Cannibals, American Indian scholar, Jack Forbes
writes about a disease that afflicts the West, an illness he refers to
as: soul sickness. It's the belief that God has especially chosen
Westerners to bring civilization and enlightenment to the rest of the
world. While it permeates all of Western society, it appears to
manifest most poignantly in the United States.
With Obama soon to be at the helm, many people are seemingly not clear
about what this means vis a vis this sickness.
Under this superstitious belief system, Westerners have been
authorized by God to eliminate infidels and heathens if they don't
convert (because if they don't, the unbelievers may wipe out the
civilized world). This traditionally has meant the right to take
lands, colonize and enslave peoples and the right to invade, occupy
and destroy nations. It matters little if one innocent person dies or
a million, because they are not truly human. Conversely, the death of
one Westerner or the threat to one, is "just cause" for war. Since
Westerners believe God has anointed them to spread Judeo-Christian
values, democracy & capitalism, all their military incursions are
justified. This is why war is constantly waged, always obviating the
need for laws and trials
Under this belief system, Westerners are always combating evil,
terrorists and disciples of the devil. Yet, this delusional belief
system sometimes comes face to face with reality. For instance, most
religious/spiritual leaders worldwide do not believe that the invasion
of Iraq has constituted a "just war." This has led to cognitive
dissonance – a contradictory mental and spiritual state.
None of this has affected president Bush who actually believes that
God specifically chose him to lead the United States and to wage war
against Iraq. Yes. The Prince of Peace chose him to bring peace – via
war – to Arab/Muslim infidels, and eventually, to the entire world.
Bush's beliefs best exemplify that soul sickness that Forbes writes
about. It is a combination of sickness and delusion – the
spiritual/political belief that the United States and its allies are
entitled – by divine birthright – to wage permanent war against any
and all nations – to bring civilization to the uncivilized. This
belief did not begin with Bush-Cheney. Reagan-Bush took these same
ideas to Africa and Central America. Johnson & Nixon previously took
them to Asia. As Forbes points out, it is the same ideas – steeped in
the Dark Ages – that were brought to this continent by the
conquistadors.
Accompanying these delusional ideas is the belief in the eternal right
– with impunity – to freely exploit these nations, their peoples and
resources.
All of this also is combined with the belief that Euroamericans were
especially chosen to build a heaven on earth in the Americas – a place
reserved for God's chosen few (dark people not welcome here).
Ironically, this belief system – as exemplified by the idea of
Providence, Manifest Destiny and the religio-secular idea of American
exceptionalism – has never believed in borders. Quite the contrary.
The very idea of a United States has been an expansionist belief: the
original idea was that Euroamericans would one day take over the
entire Americas – from sea to shining sea. Yet, now, heaven on earth
seemingly constitutes the entire planet.
But there is still the land mass called the United States – the New
Promised Land – especially designated for the chosen few. While these
chosen few seek global domination, adherents of this philosophy insist
upon a form of racial/political and cultural purity for these United
States. This is why we have "culture" or "civilizational" wars.
This is why these chosen few insist upon English Only and walls along
the southern, but not the northern, border. This is the reason for
massive immigration raids against red-brown peoples; to communicate
the message of who belongs, who is legitimate and who merits rights
and who doesn't. It's all predicated on a 500-year idea on this
continent of who is human and who is entitled to live – and who isn't.
The majority of the world has diagnosed this sickness and thoroughly
rejects it. It is highly likely, based on the 2008 presidential
elections, that most Americans have also diagnosed this sickness, and
many also reject it.
The idea of Barack Obama in the White House also causes cognitive
dissonance. It may be counter-intuitive, but it is not at all certain
that a Black Man – or this Black Man – will combat this centuries-old
soul sickness and the barbaric policies that emanate from it. |
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AMERICA’S SOUL SICKNESS |
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escrito por Dr. Cintli
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jueves, 15 de enero de 2009 |
Obama's first challenge will not be the unresolved Middle East crisis.
Nor will it be Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo or the economy. His
primary challenge will come in coming face to face with the
Bush/Cheney doctrine of permanent worldwide war. Unless Obama
renounces it on inauguration day, this doctrine will continue to be
U.S. policy.
Beyond that, an even larger challenge – one which he may not ever be
able to meet – is healing a nation that for too long has been sickened
by what American Indian historian, Jack Forbes terms in Columbus and
other Cannibals: soul-sickness. It is a disease that historically has
allowed a majority of EuroAmericans to believe that God has chosen
them lead the rest of the world into the light, permitting the United
States to employ massive military might in achieving that so-called
mandate.
Over the past eight years, it is the Bush-Cheney doctrine that has
drawn the particular ire of the entire world – because it permits the
United States to unilaterally attack any nation with massive force or
to attack any target within any nation, regardless of civilian
casualties. This doctrine has also permitted this outgoing
administration to assert and amass extraordinary powers that have
virtually rendered the U.S. Constitution meaningless. This doctrine
includes the assertion that the executive branch and its extraordinary
powers can not be questioned or hindered by Congress or the courts
during times of war, thus the assertion of permanent war (the war on
terror).
Yet, even if Obama were to reject this Bush-Cheney doctrine, the soul
sickness would remain.
That notwithstanding, the president's first order of business has to
be the rejection of the Bush-Cheney doctrine. Failure to do so
immediately, will cause the promise of change [to the United States,
the world and the future] to fall on deaf ears.
It will not be enough to wind down the Iraq War if it means that the
president will simply shift resources to broaden the war in
Afghanistan and to also continue the Bush-Cheney endless worldwide war
against undefined enemies into the foreseeable future.
Eradicating that soul-sickness is probably not possible; it is what
sustains the myths of this nation. It is what defines this nation. The
secular equivalent of believing that God has chosen the United States
for a special mission is the belief that being a superpower is an
elected position and that with that title, the United States and its
allies are entitled to invade, topple or occupy any nation they see
fit. And it is not something that began with Bush and Cheney.
It can be no irony that those that initiated the invasion and
occupation of Iraq – in defiance of the UN – were the United States,
Britain & Spain… on Portuguese territory. In the past 500 years,
these are the world's leading imperialists and colonialist nations.
Essentially, they have been the world's architects of the policies of
dehumanization – feeling entitled by God and blinded by greed to
trample over the lands, bodies and rights of peoples [of color]
worldwide.
Despite this imperial club, there's a reason the U.S. government is
particularly despised by most of the world. It isn't just the
Bush-Cheney regime, though they have certainly put a face to the "ugly
American." It's that smug soul-sickness that permits Americans to
believe that they indeed know what's best for the rest of the world.
When Obama was elected president, it was the hope of the world –
evidenced by massive celebrations worldwide – that he would indeed
reverse the arrogance of the Bush/Cheney doctrine. Though for those
expecting president-elect Obama to bring about radical change to the
world, all signs indicate that we are all in for a very rude
awakening.
But it's a sleep or dream that many Americans don't want to wake from.
To be sure, being elected U.S. president is not the same thing as
being elected high commissioner for human rights or prince of peace.
Since WWII, the United States has become the most powerful military
empire in the history of the planet. In the path of this machine,
millions of casualties are strewn about in Asia, Africa and Central
America. Some have been the result of secret, proxy, unnecessary,
foolish and illegal wars – such as Iraq – but truly, which war or
military action by the United States since WWII has been necessary and
legal and not foolish?
This is what Obama is inheriting; not just a permanent war and a soul
sickness, but also the reins to a voracious military-industrial
complex that needs to be constantly fed. There's little indication
that he will starve this machine. But there is always hope. |
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AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM: JUSTICE WE CAN BELIEVE IN |
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escrito por Dr. Cintli
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jueves, 15 de enero de 2009 |
The President ducked two shoes in Iraq recently, just as he will
inexplicably also be able to walk away from his office, without the
worry of ever having to duck Nancy Pelosi's heels – without ever
having to face impeachment by a complicit Congress.
The mind-boggling reason she continues to give regarding why
"impeachment is off the table" is that she claims that Democrats are
not out for revenge. Somehow, she seems to be oblivious to her
Constitutional duties to defend the Constitution, rather than engage
in political calculus (regarding who will control Washington).
Given a different set of circumstances, president George W. Bush and
his War Cabinet would not only be impeached, but they would also
undoubtedly face war crime tribunals for promoting and authorizing an
illegal war and occupation against Iraq – a war that is responsible
for the deaths of tens of thousands of Iraqis and the displacement of
4-5 million others.
Chances are likely that Bush will also not have to duck the Obama
administration as all indications are that Obama will not show Bush
his soles. Instead, he will seek to "move forward" (Washington-speak
for ignoring the crimes of fellow politicians) and attempt to govern
from the middle. Governing from the middle is more Washington-speak
for ignoring the pursuit of justice.
Perhaps it will be up to history to deliver a verdict against a
president that has not simply run circles around the Constitution –
while ignoring international treaties and agreements – but that is
actually responsible for both, Iraqi and U.S. casualties, which number
in the tens of thousands.
Despite the glaring evidence that the president consistently lied to
Congress and the American public to be able to invade and occupy Iraq,
and despite the clear evidence of his approval of torture (claiming
that the Geneva Conventions of War were irrelevant) and illegal
spying, the question then is, what has been preventing his impeachment
and/or imprisonment?
It's called American exceptionalism.
It's the ability to look at the world, not the way it is or ought to
be, but rather, through U.S.-rose colored eyes.
Despite the obvious, U.S. politicos and government officials believe
that the United States has created the highest form of democracy – a
shining example to the rest of the world. Here, no one is above the
law. In fact, it is loudly proclaimed that "we are a nation of laws."
We heard this most loudly when former president Bill Clinton lied to
Congress about his trysts with Monica Lewinsky.
But there's also a backside to this idea of American exceptionalism:
the United States can do no wrong, or in this case, the president and
his underlings can do no wrong. In this case, president Bush
authorizing a war that never should have been fought is pedaled not as
a crime against humanity, but rather, simply as a policy difference –
no matter the hundreds of thousands of casualties – no matter that
thousands of Americans have died and that tens of thousands have been
permanently disabled. In the eyes of the U.S. body-politic, that's
less a crime – or no crime at all – because it led to the ouster of a
tyrant.
Yet, there's even an exception to this idea; if a president or
politico does something immoral –something that offends
Western/Christian sensibilities – such as lying to Congress about
having sex, having an abortion or trying to extort money or political
favors in exchange for a Senate seat – that is considered unforgivable
and unpardonable. This is true, more so than starting a destructive
and catastrophic war under false pretenses.
Where does this logic and morality come from? Perhaps from the same
logic that says it is permissible to kill a thousand innocents to save
one sinner or the medieval idea that found it permissible to kill
thousands of non-Christians in the Americas, while seeing it as "a
great service to God."
Reaching back to the Dark Ages may seem like stretch, yet, where else
can we find an answer that permits a president to war on a weak
nation, claiming that God told him to do it – and then Congress
inexplicably absconding from its Constitutional and moral duties and
obligations, not simply to protect the U.S. Constitution and the rule
of law, but to protect the world from a dangerous and delusional
president.
Yet, neither does Pelosi or Obama have the last word on this matter.
Thirty years after the fact, Chile's dictator, Agusto Pinochet, and
the Argentine generals that waged a "dirty War" in their country,
found this out.
(c) Column of the Americas 2008 |
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Indigenous Elders Fight for their Home |
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escrito por Dr. Cintli
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jueves, 15 de enero de 2009 |
Elder Maria Garcia is a bundle of energy. She is small brown woman in
her 70s, yet she is anything but frail. There's a lot of fire in her
veins. At a hip-hop concert done on her behalf this past weekend, she
is as involved as her supporters in making sure everything goes off
without a hitch. They have come to support her and her husband, Tohono
O'dham elder, Joseph, in their fight to keep their home.
While they are in the process of being thrown out of their Tucson home –
where they have lived for some 32 years –they are not vacating their home
without a fight.
Welcome to the human face of the world's financial crisis.
Both Maria & Joseph are respected elders in the community, owners of
the famed Tucson institution, La Indita Restaurant. She is Purepecha
and he is Tohono O'dham, and the attempts to evict them from their
home has sparked an outrage.
Their stand to fight for their home conjures up the idea of Tierra y
Libertad or Land & Liberty – an idea of Indigenous resistance, rooted
in defense of the land. But this is not happening in Mexico or Central
America at the turn of the 19th century.
The ironies are all there, as are the metaphors and the imagery of
Indigenous elders being forcefully removed by their bank. They are taking
place as Congress has approved $700 billion to save the same financial
institutions that are throwing out thousands of homeowners nationwide.
They are happening, as the government is about to pour in many more
billions to bail out other corporations, but not actual homeowners.
This is the stuff of revolts and revolutions. Before anyone takes the
Garcia home they will have to face hundreds of supporters.
Symbolically, probably thousands… even millions.
There is no way that their supporters will permit the bank to
forcefully evict these respected elders from their home.
As a confluence of history, the eviction of Indigenous elders is
hardly the image that this nation wants to project as pressures mount
to solve this financial crisis that was triggered by the mortgage crisis.
As several members of Congress have noted, the purpose of the bailout
was to assist homeowners – not to turn it into an unaccountable slush fund,
with little or no transparency.
In speaking to Maria, how they got to the point of foreclosure is somewhat
complex, though it involves unscrupulous and deceptive dealings with a
series of financial institutions, and most of all, the lack of transparency.
The bottom line is that after being warned that they were in danger of being
foreclosed upon – and a series of mistakes by the financial institutions –
their bank abruptly foreclosed on their home in late October – despite the
fact that they have the money to pay whatever is owed.
Their attorney, Scott Gibson, who is representing the Garcias pro bono,
is confident that they will ultimately be able to keep their home.
Having an attorney who understands legalese is a godsend for them,
but that's beside the point. Financial institutions – while being bailed
out by taxpayers – should not be attempting to force them from their
home – for any reason, "legitimate" or contrived. There is something
wrong with a system in which senior citizens – elders anywhere – can
lose their homes due to mistakes, misunderstandings or deceptive practices.
Neither are Joseph and Maria your typical senior citizens. They are
literally, Indigenous resistance fighters. Many of their supporters,
many of them young, look to them for guidance and inspiration and have
vowed to defend their home.
Aside from being an integral part of the continent's Indigenous
movement – having met with subComandante Marcos and the Zapatistas
this past year – Joseph and Maria have themselves embarked on a noble
mission to create an Indigenous health clinic (Jewel of the Sun) in
Magdalena de Kino, Sonora. Indeed, their selflessness does not stop at
the border. Their goal is to create a clinic where Indigenous peoples
can receive affordable preventive care, health education and
traditional medicine.
Rather than throwing them out, the bank and government should be
assuring them that they never have to worry about their home again.
Additionally, they might even consider donating to the clinic. It's
the least they can do. As Maria stated in no uncertain terms:
Sinverguenzas! (They have no shame!). |
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REMEMBERING & HONORING RUBEN SALAZAR |
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escrito por Dr. Cintli
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sábado, 01 de marzo de 2008 |
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For close to 40 years, my memories of journalist, Ruben Salazar, have
been of smoke, fire, riots, rampaging police, and his premature death
in East L.A. on August 29, 1970. Seared into my memory is running home
every day to see the Inquest held into his death. What is actually
seared is not the fact that he was killed by a nine-inch tear-gas
projectile, fired into the Silver Dollar Café by a Los Angeles County
Sheriff's deputy, but rather, that no one was ever brought to justice.
Neither was anyone brought to justice for the deaths of Angel Diaz or
Lyn Ward, who also died on that day.
After years of memories of injustice, I instead choose to remember him
this year on his birthday: Feliz cumpleaños – Happy Birthday, Ruben.
On March 3rd, this pioneering journalist from Juarez-El Paso should
have gotten 80 candles. Instead, on April 22, he will get a belated
birthday present – his own 42-cent U.S. postal stamp. Also being
honored are four other journalists Martha Gellhorn, John Hersey,
George Polk and Eric Sevareid.
Lost in the controversy over his death and the violent repression of
the National Chicano Moratorium rally against the Vietnam war – was
the historic nature of his journalism. Clearly, he was a journalist
before his time and what he reported in the El Paso Herald Post and
the Los Angeles Times, from 1955 through 1970, still seems relevant to
this day. He covered an unpopular war; Vietnam. He also covered Cuba,
the Dominican Republic and the upheaval in Mexico in the 1960s. He
also wrote about the anti-war movement, black-brown relations, police
repression, the border, the inhumane treatment of migrants, the
trouble in the lettuce fields, and social and educational
inequalities. In his last interview, he even complained about a
meddling vice president who was attempting to stifle press freedom.
While not an activist, his journalism brought the emerging Chicano
civil rights movement to the nation's attention. He defined for the
nation – in language that mainstream society understood – what it
meant to be Chicano. On Feb 6, 1970, he wrote: "A Chicano is a Mexican
American with a non-Anglo image of himself." Activists to this day
cringe at that description; for activists, a Chicano/Chicana was more
than an image, but an unapologetic social and political rebel.
The issuance of a U.S. Postal stamp is a fitting tribute, yet, a stamp
is not large enough to convey his life's work, nor the impact that his
death has had upon an entire generation. His death accelerated what
anthropologist Victor Turner refers to as a "primary process" or a
massive volcanic political eruption. In this case, Mexicans rebelled
against years of living a dehumanized existence. It is similar to the
process that exploded during the 1910-1920 Mexican Revolution and also
during the Mexican Independence movement 100 years before against a
brutal Spain.
In California, this process can be traced to the East L.A. Walkouts of
1968 and to the even earlier strikes and boycotts of the United Farm
Worker's Movement throughout the country. And yet, it was his death
that completely unleashed this process or movement nationwide.
Those seeds of injustice created an instant martyr. Ironically, a
primary process can be both an explosive time and a time of intense
creativity. Such has been the case in regards to Salazar, though that
political activity and cultural explosion has been mischaracterized by
historians as a nationalistic and separatist impulse. My experience
tells me quite the reverse; that it was a rehumanization project in
response to an ultranationalistic impulse in which Mexicans were not
always welcomed or treated as fully human.
Nearly 40 years after his death, I have begun to develop a journalism
class on his life's work. As I have been perusing over archives of the
Media, Democracy and Policy Initiative, the group responsible for
promoting the issuance of the Salazar stamp, I am in touch with a very
special history. Included in the archives are his early work, notes,
photographs, letters, FBI files, the coroner's report and most
special, the actual typewriter he used to write with. I get a feeling
of frozen time. Yet truthfully, as I speak with his family, friends
and colleagues, what strikes me is that he has not been forgotten and
that his death is still an open wound. His memory is living history.
While many of us will always seek answers and justice, after a
generation, it is also now time to remember him for the contributions
he made, both to the journalism profession and to the world we live
in. ROBERTO DR. CINTLI RODRIGUEZ |
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Modificado el ( sábado, 01 de marzo de 2008 )
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