[email protected] URL http://www.survivalinternational.org/news/8997
Comment Survival International has compiled a list of materials from experts, anthropologists and the Yanomami themselves on the Chagnon debate, and how Chagnon's work has been disastrous for the tribe. Visit http://www.survivalinternational.org//articles/3272 for statements from Davi Yanomami, Eduardo Viveiros de Castro, Philippe Descola and Manuela Carneiro, and an open letter signed by over a dozen anthropologists who have worked for years with the Yanomami. They 'disagree with Napoleon Chagnon's public characterisation of the Yanomami as a fierce, violent and archaic people. [and] deplore how Chagnon's work has been used throughout the years - and could still be used - by governments to deny the Yanomami their land and cultural rights.' --- There's a certain closing of the circle in receiving this communication on my blog. Back in 1996 I stumbled across a glossy magazine called "Living Marxism" at a bookstore near Columbia University. Most of it seemed innocuous enough if a bit quirky. But what really got under my skin was an article that blasted Survival International for trying to "preserve the Yanomami in amber" like one of those dioramas at the Museum of Natural History. What little I knew about Survival at the time was its advocacy of the right of Indians to determine their own destiny, including the right to have access to shotguns, steel axes, outboard motors, or whatever helped guarantee their survival. The issue was not being preserved like a fossil but being protected against the onslaught of gold miners, ranchers and timber companies. This was my first exposure to the problems that Marxism had with indigenous peoples and a search for another approach that led me to become engaged with Mariatequi's writings. All of this is recorded here: http://www.columbia.edu/%7Elnp3/mydocs/myindian.htm _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
