Oh, Canadians!
A Tribute to Canadians Who Make A Difference

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Colonial History- Gung Din

The British Colonial history affects Canada in many ways- some good and many painful. Below I have posted Jim Croce singing Rudyard Kipling's poem 'Gunga Din' which is set in India. This work of literature reminds us of another time and in our time, it makes plane the thinking toward anyone of colour or of another religion. The 'WE' that is Canada includes many Aboriginal people, many from India and Pakistan, and many from other areas of the world that have felt the sting of "Her Majesty Victoria's" colonial policies and exploitation. In this poem, that exploitation includes Gunga Din and the English soldier sent to sacrifice his life for the profit of England. It is my unsupported belief that Rudyard Kipling was holding a socially acceptable mirror up to his own time and era in this work of art. Absorbing and reflecting upon the message of the poem should empower us to understand each other better.

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