Silence

Bill Barowy (wbarowy who-is-at lesley.edu)
Sun, 13 Dec 1998 14:45:47 -0500

Folks,

I reminded myself of the following quote I found at the Washington State
History museum recently, in Spokane. I thought that it might be something
that Kathie, Mary, and others might find of interest.

"The school ran strictly. We never talked during meals without permission,
given only on Sunday or special holidays. Otherwise there was silence -- a
terrible silence. I was used to the freedom of the forest, and it was hard
to learn this strict discipline. I was punished many times before I
learned"

Mourning Dove, Fort Spokane Indian School.

Her words convey how silence was used as a tool to suppress and alter the
native american culture in Washington state. If any of you have the chance
to see the exhibits at this museum, I highly recommend it. Here, Mourning
Dove's words cannot carry the impact that they had in the context of seeing
many other aspects of cultural change.

Must run!

Bill Barowy, Associate Professor
Technology in Education
Lesley College, 29 Everett Street, Cambridge, MA 02138-2790
Phone: 617-349-8168 / Fax: 617-349-8169
http://www.lesley.edu/faculty/wbarowy/Barowy.html
_______________________
"One of life's quiet excitements is to stand somewhat apart from yourself
and watch yourself softly become the author of something beautiful."
[Norman Maclean in "A river runs through it."]