Native Americans and Jewish people have both experienced social genocide and discrimination. In Powwow Highway (1989), Native Americans are taken advantage of by the government. In the film, the Cheyenne Reservation is shown as almost a third world country. Since the first settlers came to the United States, Indian land has been seized and used to the "white man's" advantage. In the film, white men are trying to take control of the reservation for mining purposes. However, Buddy Red Bow, a social activist, tries to fight for the tribal council. Buddy's sister has been falsely arrested to keep Buddy away from the trial. Buddy with the help of Philbert, an Indian seeking pride and identity, go to rescue Buddy's sister from jail. The main characters are extremely different. While Buddy is very head strong and aware of the controlling white man, Philbert tries to gain his warrior name through traditional means. Philbert and Buddy represents the old traditional Indian ways emerging with the current. In the movie, Native American experience stereotypes. For example, when Buddy and Redbow go into a store to purchase a radio they are advised against it by the store owner (a white man) because he does not think the Indians can afford it.
In "Saint Marie" and "Native American Genocide," indians are taken advantage of by white people and caused to push away their own culture. In the short story "Saint Marie," a young girl, Marie is in a convent and being taught by a prejudice nun, Sister Leopolda. Sister Leopolda wants to successfully convert Marie into a Catholic. The nun does this through constant degrading and even physical abuse such as pouring boiling water onto Marie and stabbing with a fork. Marie almost leaves but does not. I think Marie does not leave the convent because she is aware that she does not have a better life waiting for her outside. The only way Marie sees to escape life on the reservation is to become Catholic. Marie is ashamed of her heritage and nationality.
Both Jews and Native Americans experienced hardships due to the white Anglo Saxons. Both had their land seized to strip them of their power. Both were casted as the other and not allowed to associate with white people. Jews were not allowed be out in public after a certain time, just as Indians were given a reservation to live on. Thus separating them from others. Indians were forced to convert to the Catholic or Christian religion and when they didn't, the Indians were slaughtered. Jews were forced to work for little or no money. Native Americans still do not receive enough money to help them survive on the reservation. Each of these groups have been set back in society and deserve equality.
Otto - Comment on Pauli’s Blog - Native Americans Experience Social Genocide
ReplyDeleteIn grade school we hear about the Holocaust during WWII early on and it becomes ingrained in our minds so often when one think of the second World War, the Holocaust immediately comes to mind along with the atrocities and horrors that took place. When we think of America and the Native Americans, however, for me personally, Thanksgiving and Columbus come to mind. It is important to know what the Native Americans went through, and how there have been so many genocides throughout human history that have killed thousands, that we cannot pinpoint the worst of them. The film and movie emphasize the hardships of spiritual freedom that Native Americans face, but in relation to this class as a whole suggest the idea that the Jews were not necessarily the worst off, but rather part of a community of victims who were dehumanized to to their beliefs and ways of life.
I really like your comment that victims are a part "of a community of victims who were dehumanized to their beliefs and ways of life." It is true, in some way or another various groups are always stereotyped and discriminated against! It is important to acknowledge what each group has gone through and still experiences. Perhaps one day, people will learn from history.
ReplyDeleteYour blog touches on some important similarities in all "genocides." We tend to think that the Native Americans did not experience genocide, but the did over several hundred years, and the key to that genocide is the attitudes of the white settlers.
ReplyDelete"The only way Marie sees to escape life on the reservation is to become Catholic." I find that points very interesting. I suppose life on the reservation was highly depraved and Marie's inherent sense of self worth, or at least her sense of survival, motivated her to find an environment that was more supportive. I see this response to victimization very often in film and have seen it also firsthand - it seems common that when victims of abuse first flee the abusive or negligent circumstances they were born into, they go into another abusive situation, not necessarily less harmful than the first. However, since they are now on a path to recovery, which they began when they first left their original environment, they continue to fight for their rights and humanity against the familiar oppression and abuse, and in the best circumstances they will continue to do so, gaining wisdom with each stop and departure, having faith that they can eventually find the freedom and sense of belonging they are seeking. Opressed children have the added problem that they do not have as many choices, so movement from environment to environment is limited if not impossible. I in no way condone any of the abuses the Native Americans have endured by the Christian reformists, but I am glad that children do have ways of leaving the abusive situations which characterize many children's lives on the reservations - depravity that has sprung from the opression the culture has endured. Obviously it's a vicious circle, but I'm glad that they have ways to escape. New environments can help break old cycles of passive behavior when victimized.
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