Learning to think positively, love freely, forgive lavishly and have an open mind
I'm On A Mission
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California was originally inhabited by what we now call Native Americans. In 1542 the Spaniard Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo (Ka-bree-o) landed in the bay of San Diego. He christened the area Alta California.
In 1769 Spanish Father Junipero Sierra established what would be the first of 21 missions heading up the coast of California with the objective of evangelizing the natives. In their earnest attempt to impart their religious beliefs on another people, they tried to strip them of their culture and "civilize" them. Many natives died from disease and poor living conditions. Treatment could be very harsh.
Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá- 1st
Our children learn about the mission system in 4th grade. It was always my favorite year of the kids schooling because each child learns state history and does a report or a replica of the mission of their choice. We would pack up the family and go to see a few and let them pick which would be their focus. The surviving missions are the oldest structures in the state.
Mission San Buenaventura-#6 Located in my city of Ventura
Some of the missions, like the one in Santa Barbara, are in full splendor while others need a lot of work. I suppose it has to do with the community that surrounds them; their wealth and historical societies.
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad-#13 of 21
While most of the mission docent tours have given good historical background from the church's point of view, only in more recent times are they giving in depth accounts of the sometimes brutal treatment of the indigenous people or of their attempts to get out from under the thumb of the church.
I love the missions but I think that the lessons should be complete in detailing the good and the bad.
In my view, we are only going to succeed when we hear the voices of the people who are voiceless. We only able learn from the past if we are brave and caring enough to look for the forgotten or the marginalized.
Canada has a shameful history of residential schools where Indigenous children lived and went to school having been taken from their families. We are only beginning to explore that sad chapter of our history now. We musthear the stories and face the wrongs committed.
So true, Linda. The whole story must be told. Like Marie Smith writes above, Canada does have a shameful history with residential schools that many of us are just learning about.
I was never taught this in school. Of course it could be logistics. I learned more about the battle of Lake Erie and the British I guess more than you because we lived on Lake Erie. But still this is so interesting to me. Thanks Linda I honestly believe we never really learned the real history of this country. Pitiful really.
Our dear friend Nancy turned 100 a few weeks ago. Her daughter arranged for a lovely party at the local zoo that Nancy has generously supported through the years. She always has said she loves 4 legged creatures much more than 2. We flew down to Burbank Saturday morning and flew back home Monday. Quite a whirlwind trip. Loads of longtime friends showed up to honor her and she was childlike in her delight at each face, many of them she had not seen in years. Part of the celebration included a performance by the students of The Teaching Zoo of Moorpark College . The entire party moved into a lecture hall, Nancy and her daughter sat front and center. The student handlers and their animals came in one by one. We learned about several different animals, their habitat, unique characteristics and how they are worked into the zoo program. I was not aware that porcupines are rodents. We were in a traditional lecture hall that rear seats loom high above the lecturer. The Boy Scout and ...
Recently, I went to Denver to visit my daughter. It was a good visit. I brought my best self there and enjoyed her company thoroughly. One night, after she went home, I was still antsy and decided to go see a movie. Jurassic World was ok but, good or bad (mostly not that great) I’ve seen them all because of falling in love with the first in the series. The Cinemark theater was a little sketchy, somewhat run down but I got my popcorn and enjoyed. The next day I was telling my girl about the movie. She was quiet and then said, “I probably should have told you mom, that is the theater is where the Batman shooting took place 12 years ago. I sat there stunned, without words. After a while, I realized not only did I go to the same theater complex but in the exact theater where the killing spree took place. Questions entered my mind. How in the world did Century Theaters decide to keep that horrible place open? How is it that they think it’s ok to pretend like it did no...
It can be hard to put my whole self out there. It can be hard to know who I am in some situations. When someone from the past asks about child #3, they will say things like, How is Prescott doing? How’s he liking England or Portland or his work etc. When that happens now, because everyone important or close has been told, I have to dig deep. Who am I in this situation? Do I just say, “SHE”, and go on with the conversation as if it is nothing big? It is big! Do I smile wide and say “oh, she’s in the process of transitioning”, without going into anything else. Do I let them ask questions? Do I know how to answer? This is her personal journey. I am a bystander, a caring one, but bystander just the same. Do I avoid the subject completely and just be careful with pronouns so that I am not disloyal. If I am avoiding, am I being disloyal? Maybe they haven’t earned the right to hear her story. There is a protective defensiveness that I have to be aware of too. My feelings are still comple...
the native americans should be throwing the white man out! your own mission is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a pretty one but the Santa Barbara one is stunning. Lots of dough in ole SB
DeleteGreat little video! I like the music and the structures of the 21 missions.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad you liked it.
DeleteI agree. Half the story is not enough. Everyone's voice and experience should be reflected.
ReplyDeleteThey are trying. We have a great Chumash Indian community here in Ventura county and their voices are being heard more and more.
DeleteCanada has a shameful history of residential schools where Indigenous children lived and went to school having been taken from their families. We are only beginning to explore that sad chapter of our history now. We musthear the stories and face the wrongs committed.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea. I’ll have to read up on that.
DeleteSo true, Linda. The whole story must be told. Like Marie Smith writes above, Canada does have a shameful history with residential schools that many of us are just learning about.
ReplyDeleteI was never taught this in school. Of course it could be logistics. I learned more about the battle of Lake Erie and the British I guess more than you because we lived on Lake Erie. But still this is so interesting to me. Thanks Linda
ReplyDeleteI honestly believe we never really learned the real history of this country. Pitiful really.
Now I am going to look up the battle of Lake Erie.....which I know nothing about.
DeleteI love the one in Carmel and the one in San Diego is beautiful too! Great video!
ReplyDelete