- It can't be discounted as a mere "accusation" when it is a "fact" that western civilisation, where-ever it went, systematically and categorically 'erased' the indigenous, and I am not saying metaphorically.
I live in NZ and the history and injustice here have been bloody, like any European occupied colony. The Maoris still suffer from systemic oppression here.
The cultural whitewashing is something that has always been operating at the intellectual echelons of 'European/white supremacy', they usually move into the scene to carry their jobs, after the military/warlords/mercenaries have cleared the scene.
And trust me, I do get the point you are trying to make, but that doesn't apply here. Nor I am saying that ideas from other cultures shouldn't be subjected to valid criticism or that Europeans should bear the brunt for it.
And if you do study history of other colonies a bit, you will find that police in colonies like India was created to instil the fear and British dominance in locals, with guns and batons.
The police there hasn't been reformed even now and is still brutal, following the same standards set by the British.
So there is a degree of truth in that congresswomen's words.