Thanks for including my piece. I have looked a lot at comparative colonialism.

The English saw themselves as the “good colonists” in opposition to the “evil Catholics.” It is similar to Trump’s “what aboutism.” Their self-righteousness was part of the English narrative. Elizabeth 1 had rescued England from Bloody Mary.

It is interesting to consider the English settlement of the “New World” in the context of the thirty years war in Europe. It combined religious enthusiasm with royal and national ambitions. The German states were devastated by the fighting. The merciful were slaughtered and all of Europe took note.

The Puritans also created the Jeremiad style of literature, bemoaning how they had fallen from grace. It is interesting that Carter’s Crisis of Confidence speech and Obama’s recent convention speech were in this genre. The Puritans excelled in self-flagellation; but not in empathy for religious, racial, or national others.

In terms of how we move forward acknowledging the wrongs, ironies, and tragedies of history is a great place to start. Compensating and boosting people who have suffered generational injustice is another. That of course was the goal of affirmative action and allowing tribal casinos.

Somehow we must have a genuine national reckoning so we can move forward and heal. The alternative is unthinkable.