LL-L "In the news" 2005.09.15 (06) [E/S]

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From: Isaac M. Davis <isaacmacdonalddavis at gmail.com>
Subject: LL-L "In the news" 2005.09.15 (04) [E]


Larry Granberg wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> I thought that I would pass on an article that was published in the
> August edition of Time magazine. Short mention is given to the
> Frisians, and  it does touch on several topics and groups that have
> beem discussed here. There are four ethnic groups that are featured
> in background articles; Sorbians (there ya go Ron!), Rusyns, Veps,
> and Bretons. The beginning of the article also mentions Cornish.

I haven't even started the body of the article and already I've got a 
problem with it. "Europe's Lost Tribes"? Facepalm. I'm sure that they didn't 
know they were lost, and I'm even more sure that they're happy Time was 
there to tell them so. American media, what the hell is wrong with you?

Ettlin tae write a nestie letter,

Isaac M. Davis

-- 
Westron wynd, when wilt thou blow
The smalle rain down can rain
Christ yf my love were in my arms
And I yn my bed again

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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: In the news

Hi, Isaac!

I had the same reaction.  However, being exposed to American media ... well 
... "output" (or should I say "excretion"?) on a more regular basis than you 
are, my reaction was, as usual, followed by only a brief flash of outrage, 
then by resignation.  Well, looking at some British and "Continental" 
magazines and newspapers, I find that most are of the same ilk, if not 
worse.

See, Isaac, ethnic groups, or "nationalities," that are not "legitimate" 
nations tend to be referred to as "tribes" even today.  This applies outside 
North America as well, however, then usually with reference to 
non-Europeans.  In other words, in Europe (and among people of European 
descent elsewhere) it is generally still sort-of all right to use "tribe" 
(or its equivalents) when talking about non-power indigenous ethnic groups 
of Asia, Australia, Africa and the Americas.  In the context of Europe it 
can apply only to early history (or to "far-out" groups in Europe -- see 
below).  So, if one uses "tribe" at all, I guess it would be fair to apply 
the term to Europe as well.

However, as no doubt you have gathered, I have a problem with the entire 
concept and usage, considering them to be based on a heritage of chauvinism, 
a heritage of a wannabe "continent," or a "continent" that exists not in 
geography but in mindsets and wishful thinking.  As far as I am concerned, 
ethicities are ethnicities, nations are nations, nationalities are 
nationalities, and languages are languages, no matter where they are or 
whether or not they wield national or international power.

I suspect that the author of the heading "Europe's Lost Tribes" was playing 
with the recent preoccupation in some quarters with ethnic and linguistic 
loss, parallel with preoccupation with biological and environmental 
decimation, where terms like "lost tribes" or "disappearing tribes" are used 
matter-of-factly everyday, and, yes, usually not with reference to 
Europeans, unless they are Saami, Roma or even more "obscure" and "ancient" 
"tribes," i.e., not "real-real" Europeans.  (In other words, they are seen 
as alien tribes that at one time made it across the imaginary Eastern Ocean, 
strayed into the bastion of Christianity and high culture and never 
abandoned their weird, un-European ways.)  This sentiment no doubt is one of 
the reasons for widespread European opposition to Turkey joining the 
European Union, and several European politicians have said so directly or 
indirectly.

"Western" media are really full of that kind of stuff.  At one point or 
another you realize that it's not going to change overnight.  This does not 
mean that one should give up, just as long as one realizes that fighting the 
actual battle would be a fulltime job.  These days I prefer to "attack" the 
problem more from the angle of trying to help boost the antidote: universal 
respect and ... trite though it may sound ... appreciation, compassion and 
love.

Enough with the pontification!

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

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