AOC is obviously just pointing at things mindlessly and saying “white supremacy/colonialism!” now. A canonized saint who sacrificed his life to care for lepers (contracting leprosy then dying from it) is not it. Esp when he is honored by Hawaiians themselves. Her seemingly thoughtless eagerness to accuse is foolish and harmful.
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Bishop Robert Barron was moved to make an instagram post correcting the record on Saint Damien of Molokai’s history. Ministered and cared for the lepers, contracted the disease himself, died of his affliction at 49 years of age. Anyone who doubts his commitment to helping the least among us is very hard hearted. I’d be happy to compare his record of service to humanity to AOC’s.
Rising Star
She is not saying take it down or he was a bad person. She is saying:
“It’s not Queen Lili’uokalani…the only Queen Regnant of Hawaii, who is immortalized and whose story is told. It is Father Damien,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a Facebook story in which she lamented the absence of statues of female figures in the Capitol. “This is what patriarchy and white supremacist culture looks like!” In addition to Father Damien, the Capitol houses a statue of King Kamehameha I, who united the Hawaiian islands under one kingdom by 1810.”
Enthusiast
SD1, yes, you are correct. And I do agree that her point there is good to hear. But what is not okay is how this paints evil colonialism with a broad brush onto a person who gave his life voluntarily over years for natives then ultimately lost his life for it. And she would do so in other scenarios I’m sure. Even though she didn’t say to take it down, she’s condemning its presence categorically. That’s the issue - stereotyping everyone to the point that individuals do not matter. To the point that you’re essentially calling a genuinely sacrificial individual a white supremacist.
Chief
Stop reading 3 out of context lines out of a whole monologue.
Go read her Twitter if you really wanna know what she said. It's not her fault some of y'all don't like hearing the bitter truth
Rising Star
She did not disparage his legacy omg read what she said
But she's not telling any lies. The statue is a part of white supremacists and colonialism culture. 🤷🏾♀️
Pro
You forming an argument out of what you think I would say is explicit bias. Not to mention deflects from the point at hand.
AOC in her own words was dismayed that a queen was not honored.
Are you hurt by this? The “white savior” issue is well documented.
What does this guy have to do with New York’s 14th congressional district and their potholes?
Enthusiast
The woke riot crowd loves her
Enthusiast
M1, uh not cool. Not a fan of the rioting but this meme 🤦♀️
Enthusiast
She is just about as politically vapid as it gets.
Ask yourself if you really know enough about this man to defend him.
Enthusiast
I know that he volunteered to live with a community of lepers for years bc they were isolated. Sounds terrible. Eyeroll.
Enthusiast
On the occasion of the canonization, U.S. president Barack Obama expressed his “deep admiration for the life of Blessed Damien De Veuster.”
“Fr. Damien has also earned a special place in the hearts of Hawaiians. I recall many stories from my youth about his tireless work there to care for those suffering from leprosy who had been cast out,” Obama, who was born on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, said.
“Following in the steps of Jesus' ministry to the lepers, Fr. Damien challenged the stigmatizing effects of disease, giving voice to the voiceless and, ultimately, sacrificing his own life to bring dignity to so many.”
OP, agree with you. She talks to talk. All the fake outrage...
Rising Star
Just listen for a change.
Rising Star
She is not doing that at all. She said nothing about this man being a white supremacist. She is pointing out that a system of white supremacy leads us to valuing this man over the woman she spoke about. She isn’t calling a person a white supremacist or devaluing anyone’s contributions.