Once again, bull's eye. Yes. Western anti-colonialism is deeply and insidiously imbued in modern western thought, or what passes as thought, even at the most fundamental level. I recall, in an introductory course in cultural anthropology at university, noblesse oblige being vilified by the professor, and it seemed that all around me my classmates (although I could not call them peers) were already on board. Not until listening to you have I begun to realize that the single most struggle of my life, the central point of contention, the source of interpersonal conflict, has been against that very vilification. I know myself to have power and obligation, and I am generally hated for it--whether for simply knowing it or for admitting it, I don't know. Might it be that because power and noble obligation do in fact carry the full weight of moderation and obligation that they are so vilified? You say adolescent . . .
(Continuation) . . . I say infantile. With so many abdicating power, and even knowledge of power, western culture seems a baby nursery, everyone crying to have their needs attended to, but no adults to get 'er done. I see a great rush and noise about rights, but there is a deafening silence about power, duty, and obligation. Gosh Jen, this video is chockablock with gems. I've begun to take notes. "Pre-humiliation." Lots to think about. Also, I jumped in impulsively with three minutes of your presentation remaining . . .
+Thursday's Child (And an absence of poise. Makes my heart ache with longing. Poise requires knowledge, self-possession, and * backbone*. Since one is hoping for the moon [hope, usually long-drawn-out disappointment] I will add graciousness to the list. 🌿)
It has been the biggest bone of contention for me as well. I feel that Western culture is deeply anti-natural, because when I am happy to be alive, I want to reciprocate. I want to give more to others and I want to respect those higher than I in power, status and capacity. I want to honour noble sacrifice and even noble mistakes. But everything about my needs is distorted. Not only that, but made to look like the opposite, as if I were crouching down and waiting to spring on others, offering suspect motives.
I will always feel, though, that with any trace of power comes obligation. I don't know why they are vilified, except that they represent a form of transcendence of any pain, in a stoical manner. People dislike and vilify the stoical manner. They see that you are not wallowing in guilt and pain, as they are, and they see this as a way of cheating death.
I will always feel, though, that with any trace of power comes obligation. I don't know why they are vilified, except that they represent a form of transcendence of any pain, in a stoical manner. People dislike and vilify the stoical manner. They see that you are not wallowing in guilt and pain, as they are, and they see this as a way of cheating death.