DV Awareness- Day 14 Yesterday we celebrated Christopher Columbus Day. It appears that over the years, I have seen this day and this figure develop from a beloved holiday and beloved discoverer of the New World, to a hate-fest of thievery, rape, pestilence, and indigenous human rights violations. Truly, your views on Columbus all depend on what version youve been taught. There is a philosophical belief system that states that we got our thoughts and ideas from the minds that came before us. Thus, Columbus... For better or for worse... Contributed to the fabric of what would become America. He was chasing fame and paper (he came seeking gold and a water passage to the Orient for spices). The only men crazy enough to ride with him to the ends of the Earth were thugs and undesirables with nothing to lose. And what they discovered was a peaceful group of Natives that had to look like easy marks in their eyes. The took advantage by creating personal relationships with the Natives, benefitting from their assistance, then after gaining their trust, they stole, murdered, and raped their way into control and dominance of the territory. And what they didnt destroy, the disease finished off. So is it such a shock that this is still going on today? You may be asking, What does this have to do with Domestic Violence? But look at the elements on our foundation... Build a personal relationship.... Attack the victim... Assert dominance over the victim... What you dont destroy, the disease will finish off... So if we view DV as a disease, then the harmful effects of surviving the worst kind of trauma caused by one with whom you share a personal relationship leaves you vulnerable and susceptible to the next attack... UNLESS you get professional help! We have been reeling since 1492. Some historians argue that Columbus was the portal through which European ideals of slavery, misogyny, racism, capitalism, and universal dominance were injected into our being. The Natives helping some new folks fresh off a boat essentially became the opening of Pandoras box. But, the most important thing in that box was Hope... And for victims of DV, hope for a safer environment and a better life has to become the driving force for others to know you require assistance and to help you access the appropriate resources. Today is Day One of the rest of your life. What are you going to do with it? #PurplePower ##1492 ###ImproperFoundation
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 12:13:21 +0000