Dear Eu_„ors
It was with deep regret that I found
the article, "Missionary Tells of Hard Life
Here" in the Copper River Current. I am
far from being ashamed of being a Mission
ary, and I do believe that you know I am
a firm believer in the thought, "actions
* speak louder than words",,
There has been some question in my
mi'nd as to why this article was published.
Was it to increase the already existing
feeling of segregation that exists in our
community? Was it to arouse antagonism to
ward the tine principles of Christianity in
which our church believes and stands? To
be frank, was it directed to the Indian or
to Missionaries in general? Maybe I missed
the whole point of the article; was it a
means of finding out from the Community if
they were really reading our local paper or
not?
I would like to stop at this point,
but I feel very strongly that there are
various things that should be mentioned in
regards to this article, and also some
other things that are so evident in our
community.
I need not emphasize the sensational
izing attempt of most newspaper reporters.
Thus, I do not know whether Mrs, T7haley
quoted these things directly as indicated.
However, we all knew from the opening para
graph that there was much "color" which the
last line of the third paragraph indicates.
I would be the first to voice a strong
vote of disapproval on the entire portion
of Paragraph 15. Our native people are
not inferior--it is true that they have not
had the many opportunities that many of us
who have lived in the South 48 have had;
is this the test that determines inferior
ity? It behooves us to look at some of the
things that the natives do that we are not
so skillful at achieving, I have yet to
find a people that are in every sense of
the word, inferior.
If Mrs. Whaley meant by the use of
this word, "simple" — "Free from complex
ity; not complicated" as defined by Web
ster, I am in agreement, I would be the
first to admit that we who are classified,
"white" are the most complex and complica
ted people alive. If she meant "Ignorant;
not wise", then I voice my opposition once
more. During the one and one-half years
that I have been here it is evident that
.these people are far from "ignorant or un
wise", but in actuality have taught me mudh.
She proceeds to use the tern "lilthy"
in defining the majority of natives, then
tells of their ’’comfortable apartment ad
jacent to the church." My wife will vouch
for that which I would relate to you.
While pastoring our first church, I visit
ed one of my parishoners only to find a
home so dirty that on arriving back home
I was unable to eat my evening meal.(This
is something for me, I assure you) This
was a "filthy" home in every sense of the
word. But do I classify ny first church
as a "filthy" church, or the people as a
1’ilthy" people. Far from it! Just as
there are individual houses or individual
places that can be termed "filthy" among
the white, so among all others, yet we
don't begin to call the world a filthy
world. (in a physical sense I make this
reference, because Spiritui y speaking,
it is filthy) |
When reference is made to supersti- j
tions, stop and look at some of the super- j
stitions of the white people. The number
13! The many who would not walk under a j
ladder! Others whose hearts miss two
bfeats when a black cat crosses their path! ?
How many times have you watched people
cross their fingers or touch wood? j
It is apparent at this point that I
might be belaboring this somewhat, yet I
deem it necessary that the following points;
be brought home to the minds of our read- ;
ers °. 1. The Indian is not inferior as
some would like to believe. 2. Racial
discrimination is not necessary and un- j
called for in our community. I do not
believe in it. It is opposed to the Word |
of God. 3. The mass of our people here
in Alaska are not a "filthy" people. If
some white people who make these state
ments had to live under similar conditions,;
I wonder who would be tagged "filthy" then?|
4. Education was praised and then opposed ;
with the statement, "with no knowledge
of the outside world." Slightly contra
dictory! To use the term "no knowledge" j
is absurd!
Needless to say, there are many
other portions of the article that needs ;
to he explored and exposed, I do not
have the latest statistics available hut
these do not sound correct in relation to ;
the last ones that I read. As for the
gory killings that go on "every night" - j
Slightly exaggerated. Again, who did the |
exaggerating, Mrs. Whaley or the news
paper reporter is another question. And
which cities are free from crime? j
To conclude this portion of the let- |
ter I night add, justifiable criticism |
is welcomed by any sound Bible Believing, |
Conservative, Fundamental, Evangelical
Missionary, and by the Pastors of churches;
that support those missionaries, even as i
myself. But to the readers of the Copper |
River Current, do not base your opinions j
in general on one particular article like |
the one referred to in this article. If j
you have criticisms, my home and office
is open for discussion of those criticisms-#
However, do not let us make of the Copper |
River Current, the "Muddy Undercurrent"
as someone said after reading the article \
in question. I do not envy you for one
moment. To be honest, be assured of my •
prayers as you labor in this worthwhile ;
project in and for our community.
(signed) Pastor Ted Cowen \
' L>