Posted on 01/14/2025 2:39:26 PM PST by Borges
Numerous German streets are named after him, as are hundreds of schools, universities and hospitals. Albert Schweitzer — scientist, doctor, philosopher, theologian, author, musician and Nobel Peace Prize winner — was long revered for his humanitarian work in Africa.
The clinic he set up in Lambarene in present-day Gabon in West Africa earned him the moniker, "jungle doctor."
But Schweitzer was also a product of his time. Born in 1875 in Alsace, then part of the German Empire, and today eastern France, he was influenced by the ongoing and brutal colonialization of large parts of Africa by European countries.
Schweitzer, marked by his flowing mustache and thick head of white hair, was a paternalist who saw himself as being on a kind of "civilizing mission" in Africa. He felt called upon to make the population — which he described as "children without culture" — not only healthy but also "civilized."
The doctor's fame at home earned him the attention of the National Socialists — despite his early criticism of Hitler.
Later, an invitation sent to Gabon by Joseph Goebbels is said to have been politely declined by Schweitzer.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
OK, I give up: What does this have to do with this thread?
Er, sorry, I read “Heart of Darkness” and understood “Nostromo”, which is as I have said.
He felt called upon to make the population — which he described as “children without culture” — not only healthy but also “civilized.”
The monster! 🙄
Evidently it was a movie, a 1939 film “Stanley and Livingstone” with Spencer Tracy and Sir Cedric Hardwicke, and I’m thinking probably an interesting one.
I watched that movie as a child, and I was extremely moved by it.
Watched it yesterday and yes, very inspirational movie.
I wish they’d make movies these days that lead ones to consider the higher goals of individuals. I was thinking of how they prefer us to be considered victims of any traumas wherein this movie the men lived up to the hardships and persevered even making them stronger.
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