Opinion
While calling ourselves Christian and civilized, we have done these things and more to the native people of the lands and continents we have taken, and to this day attempt to force our perceptions of progress on the world, and of cultural superiority. We are still conquering, we still strive to be the
masters of the world, to have control of the earth and of space, and to establish our western civilization to be the cultural norm, the only valid cultural model.
And we seem perplexed by the resistance of some indigenous groups, who appear hostile to us for merely resisting our aggression, resisting the ideas of assimilation and acculturation, the idea of being made minorities on their own lands, the assumption that their cultures, religions, technologies, languages and traditions are irrelevant or obsolete in the face of our economic, military, political, technological might.
We must understand that the moment we attempt to get on top of another people to force our civilization upon them, or to otherwise coerce them through manipulation, intimidation, or any other means to make it seemingly impossible for them to resist what we call progress, we invalidate all we
stand for, all we believe, all we have and all we are. We indeed become transgressors and tyrants, and the traditional indigenous people of the world become at once a refuge and a symbol of resistance against such tyranny, as were the German tribes while Europe was overcome by the Roman Empire.
Our Indo-European civilization has always been tyrannical by definition, because it has waged a war against nature and natural people from the beginning, and has yet to acknowledge that there are places where it is not welcome and never will be, places that do not accept conquest or our fantasies of superiority, a few of these places being the very hearts and minds of some of the native people we assume to have subjugated within our national borders.
Raphael Montoliu lives in Lakeport.
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All week, divers from at least four different counties searched the area where Matt was last seen. Sadly, his body was discovered Thursday afternoon by a search party that included his father, Mike Zanoni.
Matt is the brother of Jennifer Zanoni, one of our escrow officers here in Sonoma County. During the six years Jennifer has been with Chicago Title, she has always been there for others – especially those within her circle of family, friends and clients in Windsor – and at this time, Chicago Title would like to lead the charge to be there for Jennifer.
For those of you who may not know the Zanoni family intimately, they are all active members of the Windsor community. Many of them are self-employed – Matt’s other sister Laura is the owner and proprietor of Smoothie Cafe in Windsor. Not only has the Zanoni family endured the pain and trauma of losing a loved one, they have also encountered tremendous financial hardship.
The immediate response from some of those who were immediately aware of the situation has been heartwarming. Members of the real estate community came forward with offers of help – providing food and free lodging that enabled the Zanoni family to have a home base and a place to stay where they could gather, grieve and plan.
At this time, we are asking for donations to help this stricken family. Between the equipment and divers they secured in their quest to find Matthew and bring him home, the lost wages they suffered and now the expense of burying their family member, the cost of their loss rises daily.
We at Chicago Title personally are aware of the fact that these are difficult times financially. We also know that your wallets are being hit upon on a regular basis for various causes and charities. But this is for one of ours.
Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Please consider giving to this family. Whatever you can donate will be appreciated more than words can ever express. No matter how large or how small, each individual contribution will make a difference in the lives of the Zanoni family.
Chicago Title has opened an account at Redwood Credit Union, Account #291878 – The Matt Zanoni Memorial Trust, on behalf of the Zanoni family. If you have any questions, please contact Karin Peaty at 546-1195.
Thank you in advance for your generosity today.
Dave Lucido is Chicago Title's Sonoma County manager and a former manager in Lake County of Fidelity Title.
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- Written by: Dave Lucido
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