Descendants Quote by Francine du Plessix Gray
“The spiritual destiny of Hawaii has been shaped by a Calvinist theory of paternalism enacted by the descendants of the missionaries who had carried it there: a will to do good for unfortunates regardless of what the unfortunates thought about it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Spiritual Destiny of Hawaii, 1995
Missionary descendants imposed a paternalistic, Calvinist approach, aiming to help the poor regardless of their wishes.
In simple terms: Missionaries imposed help without asking.
Respect autonomy when offering aid.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- nonprofit work
- community development
- policy making
- cultural preservation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can aid honor local agency?
- What lessons from history inform modern philanthropy?
Well-intentioned aid can become oppressive.