Triumph of Evil

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Edmund Burke

This is one of me favorite quotes as it outlines the need for action at all levels to stop evil actions. I was struck by a portion of the book that stated not all those involved in the residential school system agreed with the measures that were taken in these institutions. It was the rigid hierarchy that was imposed in the Catholic Church that prevented complaints from being taken seriously or addressed. This hierarchy was reflected in the government system and led to many of the problems being constantly perpetuated for many generations.

I am not certain if the problem in this situation was truly good men doing nothing or the good men were simply overwhelmed by the bad through the imposition of hierarchies and ideologies. From the stories that I have heard, there were good people in the residential school system. Not all of them were bad. Some were inspiring, compassionate and kind. These good people were not permitted by the hierarchy to make positive changes in the system.

I see similarities between how the Church and government hierarchy prohibited positive change in the early stages of the residential school and how the government resists change now. Positive changes have not been made to the current reserve system or how First Nations people are treated in Canada. I am not sure how to improve the system of government in order to make positive changes more timely and appropriate as opposed to having to fight for rights.

How, as social workers, do we improve the systems that are in place? How do we make them more culturally appropriate? How do we stop imposing a colonial perspective on how to live or raise children? What will make us the good people who stand up against the evil? Are we allowing evil to triumph or are we creating good?

Furniss, E. (1992). Victims of benevolence: The dark legacy of the Williams Lake residential school. Arsenal Pulp: Vancouver.