the Americas have a noble, exceptional, honorable history
so we are told
such opportunity
the workers, the immigrants, who were cheap insurance against challenges to legitimacy, land title, labor bankruptcy and invasion
make them build the infrastructure
make them pay
make them love labor, exploitation and oppression
wrap it in a flag
imply a promise
never throw a bone
make them work for it
make them bow at the alter of class devotion
it’s no mistake, that word patriot
“defends his country and its interests with devotion”
devotion: to give all ones time and resources, to sacrifice
to devote: a vow, a formal, solemn promise
vow: a 13th century solemn promise to god
latin devoveo, a self-sacrifice, an offering, a curse
curse? a solemn utterance intended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone or something?
devote yourself to me, as god requires, or you will be punished!
sounds like a curse
patriot, a concept that did not exist before the 16th century
just in time
for ships and colonizers, slaves, indentured servants and immigrants
as many an 3 of 4 whites in American colonies in the 18th century were indentured
privately held personal property, chattel
cheap insurance against recalcitrant native peoples and slaves
recalcitrant: having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline
may it be so
indentured servants: they, and their descendants can be sold and inherited
“If we forget what we did, we won’t know who we are” – Ronald Reagan
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