8mm
Posted on 08/25/2007 11:18:39 AM PDT by wagglebee
Everyone has a couple of buried skeletons hiding behind their secret closet door. America is no exception. During the mid 20th century, state institutions for individuals with developmental disabilities began popping up all over the country, due in part to the Eugenics movement. These institutions were primarily human warehouses for the “feebleminded.” Eugenics actually began in America and was adapted by Nazi Germany and continued long after Hitler's genocide of 6 million European Jews.
It was believed, at that time, that those with “mental defectives” were inferior and polluting the gene pool. Under the movement, Eugenics attempted to keep these individuals from reproducing by sterilizing and locking them up in state institutions. During the 1920s, early “science” developed I.Q. tests that were used to place individuals into the state's hands, believing that intelligence was inherited.
As I.Q. testing gained social popularity, new research started to suggest that environment played a major role in the scoring process of the I.Q. tests. A child from an unloving, hectic family usually scored low on the test but when placed in a nurturing home, the child could flourish and raise their score. A lot of the children placed in these institutions were not mentally retarded but poor, uneducated with no family or home to call their own.
Today, we are fully aware of the significant role the environment plays in the development of a child.
Mentally impaired individuals and the socially disadvantaged were integrated together in these institutions, receiving much of the same care, deficient support, and cruel treatment. By the 1930s, this was very much socially acceptable and part of the legal system. Stigmas and stereotypes were placed on individuals with disabilities or low I.Q.s. Oftentimes, doctors would advise parents to hand newborns over to the state after birth if there were any disabilities. At that time in American history, little to no supports were available to meet the needs of children with disabilities in schools and homes.
A recent CNN article, “Families Get Help Finding Loved Ones Lost in Institutions,” by Lisa Cohen notes that by 1967, 100,000 children were institutionalized among the 162 state facilities across the United States. Stories of cruelty and mistreatment were rampant and are still remembered by those who survived the institutionalization of thousands of American children. Institutionalized children became victims of sexual abuse, neglect and cruelty. At times, these children were heavily sedated, isolated and restrained. These children grew up believing they did not belong on earth, and they weren't part of the species.
In 1994, Senate hearings established that the Fernald State School for the Feebleminded in Massachusetts institutionalized many children during the Eugenics era, using them as guinea pigs for an experiment conducted by MIT scientists. As part of a “science club,” a selection of children were fed radioactive oatmeal as a nutritional study by Quaker Oats. The children were never informed nore did they give consent to be part of the experiment, even though laws had been established just 10 years before stating the need for consent. Since the experiments became public knowledge, members of the science group have since sued MIT, Quaker Oats and the government, receiving $60,000.
Institutions or human warehouses have begun to close and shut down leaving “medical terms” such as imbecile and moron on state records. By sterilizing and imprisoning individuals with disabilities, America thought they were improving the future, creating a healthier, more intelligent society. Today, individuals with disabilities are living independently, playing strong, active roles in the community.
Then let’s discourage the rich and well educated to only have 2 children as well. Their selfishness is nothing to be desired.
It's a liberal state of mind that only "your kind" matters.
And we presume we're all so much more enlightened these days.
All men are fallen.
Over two years ago I brought up the subject and it didn't seem to phase anyone - but take a look now and tell what is happening around us today.
The movement is being inadvertently and in some cases directly promoted by our nation's authoritative left. Inadvertently in many respects by the promotion of secularism as somehow being the key to our nation's salvation. This is one of the reasons I was very vocal on my blog regarding the recent CNN documentary "God's Warriors". In all the discussions on the subject, I saw not one that asked the simple question "What is the purpose and the objective behind the documentary?" and the followup question - "Where does this lead us?"
The CNN report presented us with another dilemma and that is "If there exist no moral or ethical hierarchy between the three Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam then how do we account for the volatility of so many of Islam's adherents?"
I'm sorry, but I don't agree with the logic that says that people can simply be brainwashed and radicalized to the point that many Islamists are. Either we accept that there is a hierarchy in religion or we have to accept that there is a hierarchy in civilizations.
I sincerely believe that there exists an inherent danger in the belief that "all culturals are equal" that many simply refuse to acknowledge and I'm sorry to admit it, but I honestly believe there are many acquired genetic factors that can affect groups of individuals over generations. It might be diet or climate for example. I think it is foolish that out of fear of being labeled a racist or worse that we would kid ourselves into believing that a society that for generations has subsisted on a diet solely of coconuts and rice could possibly be as intelligent or strong as one that has had a more varied diet.
I've seen some weird things in South and Southeast Asia - I'm sure you've heard the term "run amok" - Well Google the word "amok" and read about it. To this day we still don't understand it. But let me tell you FRiend, I've seen it firsthand and I also am at a complete loss to explain it. It is something that can scare the life out of you.
While there are benefits with regards to eugenics, there is also a slippery slope and that the one being brought up in this thread. I'm sure there are a few here who are going to want to tar and feather me for the comments made in this post - so be it.
In a nutshell, I openly advocate certain specific aspects concerning the study of eugenics and I will be addressing those hopefully in the next few days on my blog. I'm not going to delve deeper into the issue here now for the simple reason that I really need to be prepared to present my thoughts in a clear and concise manner so that they are not misinterpreted.
I didn't expect to write such a long reply - but flame away FRiends. I've pinged a few people who hold lists and might be interested in the subject.
While you are doing research let me know how Carrie Buck and her daughter threatened western civilization.
I wonder what other antiquated Victorian medical practices they would like to see return.
DENIED !!!
If I were you I wouldn't lose any sleep over a rational discussion of eugenics here, it's been studied and practiced in some form or another throughout the world 'avant la lettre'
Don’t try to rationalize trying to take western civilization to the level of Lord of the Flies.Those who share your philosophy never disagree with this foolishness. No matter how many times this experiment in playing God fails you will keep on trying. It has been tried over and over again not just on this world but on many others. It always ends badly for those foolish enough to try it. The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over even though it always fails. When you are done betraying, you will be betrayed. That which you are feeding, you will be fed to.
I will sleep lightly knowing that you are in the world.
The Oneida Community, led by John Humphrey Noyes. If nothing else can be said about him, he was a good guesser.
Unfortunately, his success has so hypnotized Eugenicists that they, too, think that they can play God. And almost invariably, they not only can’t, but end up hurting a lot of people in the process.
So has slavery, does this make it right?
I live near Oneida. It was quite a community, from the book I read about it. Noyes’ still live around there and the Mansion House in Kenwood is still in use as an apartment residence and a museum of sorts. You can even eat there, I think. Expensive, I’m sure. You can tour the place. I also remember a book my parents had on Eugenics. Can’t remember what it was about and that’s probably GOOD.
Yes, we try to play God and then ignore Him. Aren’t humans odd, though (LOL). Maryxxx
If I follow the logic of the Eugenicists, we sterilize those in slow classes. Once the kids in the slow classes are gone , we sterilize up. We wipe out F students, then D students. Pretty soon students live in terror of making less than 99.99. Abusive teachers everywhere salivate at this ridiculous concept.
Why stop with intelligence? You didn’t win the swimsuit competition or you are a walrus/man off with your reproductive organs.(Sarcasm) From what I have seen the eugenicists would all die out on that basis alone.
The thing is eugenics is practiced in this country. We call it abortion. The effect eugenics is having on this country is not good. In my area real estate is in the dumps. No one can sell their house. The beautiful empty houses are a monument to all the people who should have been allowed to live.
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I’m surprised at you. I quoted one of your previous posts on my profile page. This post looks like a complete 180° from that one. But I’m awfully tired right now. Maybe I just misunderstood what you’re saying. I hope so. I’ve known you to be a strong supporter of life.
I thought I made it clear when I said "certain aspects", obviously I didn't and as such some people on this thread would employ an associative fallacy to silence any rational discussion on the subject. I think that is wrong.
I made the comment that eugenics has been practiced "avant la lettre" which it has. Correct me if I am wrong, but is it not illegal to marry your brother or sister? Is that not eugenics?
I'm totally against "selective breeding" and bizarre immoral aspects of eugenics, but I am very interested in natural eugenics, cultural eugenics and dysgenics because I honestly believe that there are specific cultural issues that affect societies throughout the world.
I gave an example of a cultural that has for generations subsisted for generations on a diet of coconuts and fish. Another example is lactose intolerant individuals.
There are places in China that have entire villages have inbred for generations. If the government encourages these people to not inbreed, are they not practicing eugenics?
There are certain cultural and religious issues in Islam that I know of that might be a factor contributing to their overall temperament. And if someone is genuinely interested then sure I would love to discuss it.
What I am addressing is that we need to accept the fact that not all cultures and civilizations are equal or the same, and perhaps it might serve us well to recognize that fact.
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