Where to begin. I watched Senator Kerry's speech to a large group of Georgetown students the other night and he spoke fervently about the necessity of speaking truth to power. The phrase has been rolling around in my mind ever since and I've been reading the De LaSalle posts with great appreciation for the clarity of argument coming from the reformers. I see such hubris in the De LaSalle partisans. The Roman Catholic Church swept indigenous spirituality from the confluence of the the three rivers with no thought to alternate authenticity. The cruel and greedy practices of the men who exploited the falls, the timber, the wildlife, the prairies and the inhabitants they found here are well documented. These were barbarians compared to those whose lives they took with such arrogant abandon. De LaSalle got its start in Colonel King's mansion on the Island, Colonel King who kept his prize cattle on his farmstead by Lake Harriet. William Eastman had his mansion where the current De LaSalle football field is laid out and built Grove St. Flats and Eastman Flats while he was at it.
De LaSalle's main building now stands where some of those presumably historic flats once stood. Or perhaps where the school's parking lot now sprawls. The history I see now is one of continuing exploitation, a charming lesson to teach the children is it not? Appealing to Catholic congregations to rally to De LaSalle's cause is perfectly in character - why not use the corporate power of the Church to achieve these private ends? What are churches for if not to preserve hierarchies that compete for advantage and glory? What use are ordinances and best practices in the secular world if they stand in the way of pride of place? Win at all costs - that's the ticket! I have deep respect for the St. Anthony Falls Historic District and Nicollet Island in part because I grew up surrounded by historical reminders of my place of origin. I played on the Wisconsin River flats. I gave historical tours through the Indian Agency House built in 1832 near Fort Winnebago. I marveled at the locks on the Portage Canal between the Wisconsin and Fox rivers, one flowing south and the other north just a mile apart from each other. I mowed the grass around Pierre Joliet's grave. I'm still in awe of by grandfather's arrowhead collection, gathered in the 1920s in the farm fields of other German families like his own. When I had a chance to help institutionalize Minneapolis' riparian origins, I felt right at home. The piano in the Ard Godfrey house is really very similar the one in the Indian Agency House outside Portage. They are of similar vintage, after all. I recall that the open air amphitheater and the building on the south tip of Nicollet Island were meant to encourage public awareness of the historicity of this area. I guess it would be better if the Hennepin County or State of Minnesota Historical Society took over responsibility for these features, because the City of Minneapolis and its Park Board seem to have lost their way. Of course, these gentle public institutions don't have power and influence as their calling cards. They aren't so rapacious either - far better known for egalitarian perceptions and respect for our diverse origins. Much more worthy lessons for our children, I believe. Well, who can say. Vox populi, vox dei. The electorate will sort this out. Thankfully there's no religious test at the polls and size doesn't matter one whit. Fred Markus, Phillips West REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
