[PEN-L:55] RE: Re: Indigenous peoples and death by "accidental" infection

[sawicky@xxxxxxxxxx (Max Sawicky)]

>      There is no question for me that the net effect of
>what has happened to Indians has been genocidal.  But a
>significant portion of this was pretty unconscious and
>essentially accidental, if "convenient" for the invaders.

Before I start, I want to acknowledge that
I have no expertise on the facts in this
matter of Native Americans.

This is a pretty critical question for
the experience of LP and JC on the Nizkor
list.  For most Jews the uniqueness of
the Holocaust stems from coordinated
intent, rather than the view advanced
by Barkley.

Obviously the Nazi intent encompassed
other populations than Jews, and this
truth is neglected by many Jews.  But
other historical episodes which
culminated in the mass slaughter of
an ethnic group, a religious group,
or of a nation did not entail an
intent to bring about that result.
The enslavement of Africans in the
Western Hemisphere would seem to be
a good example.

Unfortunately, to describe something
as unlike "the" Holocaust, or not a
holocaust, is equated with the sentiment
that "this wasn't as bad as blankety
blank."  For some this may not be
the implied meaning.  One's own experience
or that of one's targeted group is unique
because it is personal, not necessarily
"worse" than a different historical atrocity.

It still follows that some people
exploit holocausts of assorted types
for purposes not worthy of approval.

But a little more sensitivity to the
intellectual traumas of all aggrieved
parties by all would make for better
dialogue.  Feelings on these issues
are pretty raw, all around.

MBS