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Editorial
April 30, 1954
Arizona Sun
Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona
What is this article about?
Editorial by Laureen White draws parallels between the injustices faced by American colonists before 1776 and the current plight of Kenyans under British rule, particularly the Mau Mau rebels, advocating sympathy for their fight for independence.
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Full Text
Getting Along
By LAUREEN WHITE
NEW YORK, (Global) In reading accounts of the plight of the people of Kenya, one cannot help thinking of the plight of the American colonists before 1776. Their positions are similar.
Of course, the Mau Mau and all others who rebel in Africa are considered criminals and traitors now, but we must not forget that American colonists who rebelled against the British were considered criminals and traitors, too. The patriots who signed the Declaration of Independence would have been signing their death warrant if the colonies had lost the war. Instead of the history books listing them as heroes and men of courage and wisdom, history would have recorded them as traitors and cowards. Of course the difference lies in who records the history.
The reasons the colonists wanted independence and were willing to risk their lives for it, are well known to most of us. We have been told how the king of England refused to assent to laws that would be for the good of the colonists; how he dissolved representative houses repeatedly for opposing, with manly firmness, his invasions of the rights of the people. We have read that he kept standing armies among the colonists in times of peace without the consent of the legislature; that he abdicated government by declaring the colonists out of his protection and waging war against them; and he plundered their seas, ravished their coasts, burned their towns and destroyed their people.
Cannot the Mau Mau of Kenya complain of these same injustices and more? Can the natives of Kenya enact any laws for the good of their people? Are not obstructions to the administration of justice established in Kenya? Has not a standing army been placed among them without the consent of the legislatures of Kenya? Have not their towns been plundered and ravished? Have not their people been destroyed?
The people of Kenya have suffered these indignities and many more. Anyone who is sympathetic toward the colonists who fought, suffered and died for the independence we enjoy here, cannot help but be sympathetic toward any group now fighting for their sovereignty.
By LAUREEN WHITE
NEW YORK, (Global) In reading accounts of the plight of the people of Kenya, one cannot help thinking of the plight of the American colonists before 1776. Their positions are similar.
Of course, the Mau Mau and all others who rebel in Africa are considered criminals and traitors now, but we must not forget that American colonists who rebelled against the British were considered criminals and traitors, too. The patriots who signed the Declaration of Independence would have been signing their death warrant if the colonies had lost the war. Instead of the history books listing them as heroes and men of courage and wisdom, history would have recorded them as traitors and cowards. Of course the difference lies in who records the history.
The reasons the colonists wanted independence and were willing to risk their lives for it, are well known to most of us. We have been told how the king of England refused to assent to laws that would be for the good of the colonists; how he dissolved representative houses repeatedly for opposing, with manly firmness, his invasions of the rights of the people. We have read that he kept standing armies among the colonists in times of peace without the consent of the legislature; that he abdicated government by declaring the colonists out of his protection and waging war against them; and he plundered their seas, ravished their coasts, burned their towns and destroyed their people.
Cannot the Mau Mau of Kenya complain of these same injustices and more? Can the natives of Kenya enact any laws for the good of their people? Are not obstructions to the administration of justice established in Kenya? Has not a standing army been placed among them without the consent of the legislatures of Kenya? Have not their towns been plundered and ravished? Have not their people been destroyed?
The people of Kenya have suffered these indignities and many more. Anyone who is sympathetic toward the colonists who fought, suffered and died for the independence we enjoy here, cannot help but be sympathetic toward any group now fighting for their sovereignty.
What sub-type of article is it?
Imperialism
Foreign Affairs
War Or Peace
What keywords are associated?
Kenya Plight
Mau Mau Rebels
American Colonists
Colonial Injustices
Independence Struggle
British Rule
What entities or persons were involved?
Mau Mau
American Colonists
King Of England
People Of Kenya
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Parallels Between American Colonial Struggle And Kenyan Independence Fight
Stance / Tone
Sympathetic To Kenyan Rebels, Urging Historical Analogy To American Patriots
Key Figures
Mau Mau
American Colonists
King Of England
People Of Kenya
Key Arguments
Rebels In Kenya And American Colonists Both Viewed As Criminals And Traitors By Authorities
History's Portrayal Depends On The Victors
Similar Colonial Injustices: Refusal Of Laws, Dissolution Of Assemblies, Standing Armies Without Consent, Plundering And Destruction
Sympathy For Those Fighting For Sovereignty Is Consistent With Support For American Independence