On the one hand, most people agree that
the Sentinelese people have a right to be left alone. On the other
hand, they just aren't going to be left alone forever. One foolish
man tried to convert them to Christianity this month. Fools are like
roaches, there are many, many more besides the one you just stomped
on. If the Sentinelese don't die out from a disease brought by this
most recent intruder, they are still at even more risk than ever
before.
Some might try to convert them again,
someone might try to recruit them for a cult, someone might want
workers for a new sneaker factory. Their best hope for survival is a
well-planned intervention. The first step to helping them is gaining
their trust and consent. The first step to gaining their trust is to
establish contact. The safest way to establish contact is to send an
arrow-proof robot with a video screen to the island. And even if the
natives don't destroy the robot or ignore it, it will still take
years before linguists learn enough of their language before their
can be any mutual understanding.
If the Indian government isn't willing
to allow this, these people may die out within a few years.
