It does depend on where you live. I live in the United States which, like Canada presumably, for years made it government policy to commit genocide against the native population (sometimes in the guise of charity, like when the US government distributed blankets that were laced with smallpox. Weapons of mass distruction, indeed!). As a whole, they were forced onto marginal “garbage” land like marshes and deserts or simply places too far away to be imaginable to the Europeans, like “over the mountains and out of sight,” only to be further relocated when there was found to be some economic value in the land. To say that the whites came and “sort of took over the place” is laughable. They’re an occupying force, using military might and principles foreign to the natives to swindle them out of land that was simply theirs first.
It has been estimated that the Aboriginal population has been extant here for nearly 20,000 years. That’s nearly 20,000 years with drinkable water, clean air, edible fish, more or less equitable land use, and cultural stability. You’d think that the vastly more intelligent European settlers might have learned something, or at least have co-opted some of the principles which led to this stability (as Ghandi is said to have stated, “There is more than enough to satisfy everyone’s need, but not enough to satisfy everyone’s greed”. That’s probably not an accurate quote, but it fits the idea), but the greed-based capitalism always supercedes the need-base capitalism. One of the hallmarks of American culture is that if you’re going to live here, you must act like us or be ostracized, although this goes against the founding American principle of individual liberty.
My experiences with natives/aboriginals has been positive. It has been one of witness to an industious people striving to survive with their own cultural heritage intact amidst epidemic alcoholism, poverty, suicide, and racism. In many cases, these people are just finding their own history, having had it outlawed and suppressed for many generations. In some cases, only in the last few years was their religion even made legal in this country. How’s that for freedom of religion?
Imagine yourself thrust into a society that does not want you. You are thrust into a culture which is fully formed and stable, but which has no use for you or any of your ideas. It is hostile and dangerous to you, with even diseases from which you have no developed immunity. This culture has a different (or maybe none) written language, a completely different family structure, and musical history and aesthetic. Oh, and don’t forget, everyone wants you dead, along with everyone who looks like you. They don’t understand you, and you don’t understand them. This ignorance goes both ways. This is what refugees all over the world experience. Indians are kind of like refugees in their own country.
Trading alcoholism for nicotine addiciton is a no-brainer. Alcoholism does horrible things to families and society, and besides, tobacco was a ceremonial drug, if I’m not mistaken, and not mass-produced with addiction-ehnancing additives. Many tribes have undertaken to circumvent the rampant alcoholism and alcoholistic tendencies of the Indian population, with mixed results. “Getting over” any addiction is simply not an option for many, regardless of race. It’s simply not that simple. Treatment centers and family support work wonders. Perhaps there’s been no addiction in your family, but the damage it causes and the patience and understanding of families needed to help are both bewildering and astounding.
I’m sorry that your experiences have been negative. Many others share them, while still others do not. Your experiences, coupled with what you’ve heard from your local population have led to some stereotypes in which you believe, apparently, wholeheartedly. Luckily, you’re young enough to learn to develop filters for the racist dogma you’re hearing from the adults in your life and for the stereotypes being foisted upon you. This bigotry (bringing us back to the central point!) can be extended to people who know nothing about classical music. Or about certain types of food, or literature, or philosophy, or about “enriching experiences” that you can’t even dream about. Use your energy (and your empathy, I hope) to a positive end, like teaching those who will listen. Otherwise, avoid the philistines who pound out heart and soul while you’re extolling the aural virtues of Liszt. Some battles are just not worth your time. Using classical music as a weapon to dispurse the great unwashed doesn’t really reveal anything about their moral character any more than their skin color does. Maybe people don’t like to get blasted with anything. Appreciating that others’ experiences have been different can only make you more worldly and well-rounded, and therefore a better musician. It’s a big world, with room for everyone.
Topic: "Dabblers"-Your opinion?