Cultural colonialism and linguistic colonialism is often difficult to explain, but it could be said that it as all about making the normal abnormal and the abnormal normal. Our languages are more than ways of speaking, they are ways of knowing. How we see the world depends on our cultural values and it is these values that are woven into the very fiber of our languages. In this way our native languages are our culture, or more correctly a way to it. How can be understand, feel, empathize with our ancestors, be they in the distant past or our parents and grandparents, if we do not understand their view of life. In the world today the many ways of knowing are being lost, we are moving toward one way of being, the international western way. This way does not respect difference, diversity, native spirituality and environmental sustainability.
Reclaiming your name is a real act, but it is also a metaphor for saying and ensuring that the life of your culture starts with you, with your individual acts of selflessness for your people. Often your people will not thank you for your acts, they will make little of you and malign you. Remember our peoples have and our being constantly told that our ways are antiquated, they are of no importance and of no value. This is what the western world tells us, this is how it makes normal abnormal. We know better, with dignity, strength and gentleness we reclaim our birth right and encourage other peoples to do the same. Through this and through working for each other we will find a better way that units us in diversity.
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