Message for Vedanta from Toby, Survival:
Mo – Survival isn’t suggesting that tribal people don’t deserve health care. But it’s simply not true that they live in "poverty and misery and ignorance". Nor is it true that they are more "primitive" than anyone else. When in control of their own lands, the evidence is that they are very often healthier than those around them. For example. the Dongria Kondh are far better off than the millions of slum dwellers in India, but if the mine goes ahead and their mountain is destroyed, it’s this fate which awaits them.
As for "misery and ignorance", those of us who’ve spent time living with tribal people just couldn’t imagine a less accurate description. Finally, Survival doesn’t ridicule anyone for their religious beliefs, whether Judeo-Christian or otherwise. For more on these points, see ‘Progress Can Kill’ at www.survivalinternational.org/progresscankill.
Message for Vedanta from Anti-Mo:
Mo, people like you are the reason that this kind of tragedy is allowed to occur again and again. "Primitive Peoples?" This is a narrow, dangerous (and disgusting) perspective that strangles diversity and ultimately causes misery, humiliation, and ultimately genocide. Jews were lesser people to the Nazis, and that little corner of history had its beginnings in the same arrogant, xenophobic garbage you’re spouting now.
To say that they live in “poverty” is absurd. Why? Because they can’t watch “Dancing with the Stars” and microwave a TV dinner? I assure you, they don’t want to. You are here right now because your ancestors lived the exact same kinds of lives, loved their children just as fiercely, and love their God just as fiercely as you do. They live to old age, laugh through their lives with their loved ones, and “endure” life without a single dose of Prozac; they just don’t need it.
The Judeo-Christian religion based in history? Sure… just as much as every other religion in that since that an ideology, which you call “superstition and fear,” was initially articulated by someone and adopted by a people who have since cherished it and held faith in it for generations. Christianity began the exact same way with the teachings of Zoroaster. If you are referring to the Bible’s mention of real cities, this is no unique feat. Their religion also speaks of real cities and places, particularly the mountain in Question.
“Scientific Basis?” Ha! Like the science that backs up the Judeo-Christian religion based in fact? The ease with which hypocrisy is wielded these days would be astounding if it weren’t so common. Regardless of how you feel about their beliefs, its not about science. These ideas are given credence because these ideals shape the way they see the world. It ties them to the land their people have harvested and loved for generations. It teaches their children to respect nature and one another. It gives them a since of tradition and belonging, a way in which to approach life. The Judeo-Christian religion’s preaching’s about a bearded man in the sky achieve this exact same feat – with just as many “ridiculous” statements with no scientific basis.
“Finally here is a company that…” Who are you to say what is good for these people. I think they can do that just fine. And they say that the company is poisoning their land, bulldozing their homes in the night, and killing their people. Since they are there enduring the tragedy, I think I’ll listen to them, thanks.
Aside from your grossly misinformed opinion, here is the bottom line. Not only is Vedanta in violation of common ethics and decency, they are also in violation of several UN international laws protecting the rights of indigenous people and their clams to tribal lands (considering that both India and Britain are members of the UN, this fact is kind of interesting). Aluminum can be recycled indefinitely… that means forever, without losing any material strength or effectiveness. On top of this, each landfill in the US holds more aluminum than any bauxite mine could produce. EACH landfill. Landfill mining is a lucrative, untapped market that kills two birds with one stone (cleaning our garbage and preserving sacred mountains). So essentially, not only is what Vedanta doing repugnant, its also unnecessary economically – that makes it vile.
So go on Mo, keep thinking your lifestyle is superior and that “primitives” should be removed through some form of cultural final solution, if not by the toxins of Vedanta. As an anthropologist that has spent my life trying to understand cultural systems I can assure you, you are not superior, nor is your worldview. Nor are these people living in misery without McDonalds or cable or chiropractors. Take it from me. I’m a scientist. You could do well however, to take the time to find something sacred in your own life. You just might find some compassion for those that are different from you, or at least a way to live without Prozac.
Message for the Dongria Kondh from Mo:
(Please note my comments are based on only the 5 minutes I was able to stomach of this video.)
I am so tired of the glorification of poverty and illness and misery. These primitive peoples live in poverty and illness and early graves. They helplessly watch their children die because they have little or no access to proper health care. They live in poverty and misery and ignorance all their lives. You’re going to tell me you think that’s a good thing?
Spare me also the glorification of people worshipping mountains and homes and the like. The people who make such videos would be the first to ridicule those who come from the Judeo-Christian heritage – which is based in history and evidence, not superstition and fear.
The man speaking around 3:47 says the rocks bring the rain and if the rocks disappear they’ll lose their soul. Why are such statements given credence? What scientific basis is there for such a statement?
Finally, here’s a company that is going to bring jobs to people, as well as produce a needed product. But that too is portrayed as evil?
