[Redbob]

"...some Native Americans say the California's missions, which Serra helped found, cut their ancestors off from their traditional languages and cultures..."

And dragged them kicking and screaming out of the Stone Age, introducing them to such novel concepts as written language, metal-working, the wheel...

[Steelfish]

Exactly!
Same reason these asses blame Columbus.

[blackpacific]

It is sad that they dared to deface his headstone, which is a simple little 12x12” tile in floor of the main chapel.

An elaborate ossuary was made for him at his death that was too big to fit through the chapel doors, and since it was his wish to be buried near the altar, it was never used for the purpose. Father Serra was buried in the floor at the foot of the altar, and some other religious was buried in the fancy tomb in the side room.

Fr. Serra loved poverty.

I am somewhat torn, it is hard for me to switch from “Father Serra” to “Saint Junipero Serra”. Anyone else having that problem?

[norton]

Great post, I haven't seen reference to the White Man's Burden since The Man Who Would be King was last on TV.