John Winthrop, preacher of the “City on a Hill”
sermon, “claimed the Puritans had a special pact

with God to create a new, holy community. He also
claimed that the rich had a holy duty to look after

the poor.” While “looking after the poor” reeks
of white, Anglo-European paternalism and con-

descension, the Puritans seemingly completely lost
sight of Rev. Winthrop’s “holy duty” admonition.

Condescension ain’t great but the “holy duty” is better
than nothing and we are still looking for that lost “duty,”

but there still is the “Sorry, Charlie,” sign in sign
language at the bottom of the hill for the Indians.

*quote from The Writer’s Almanac, Jan. 12, 2021