Initially, the first theme involves the health of Native American Indians, beginning with Harjo’s article, which emphasizes the harmful ‘Native Food’ called frybread. This commodity food was issued by the government and became a staple in the lives Natives. Harjo states, “Frybread is emblematic of the long trails from home freedom to confinement, and rations. It is the connecting dot between healthy children and obesity, hypertension, diabetes, dialysis, blindness, amputations and a slow death. If frybread were a movie, it would be hard-core porn. No redeeming qualities. Zero nutrition”(282). Harjo acknowledges that the government altered Natives’ diets when they relocated them to unknown lands, as a means of assimilation. I was unaware that
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Mockery of the Indians and their sacred objects can be seen on various objects of sports’ organizations, costumes for Halloween, and even in museums, such as the Smithsonian, which showcases the deceased remnants of Native ancestors and their sacred funerary objects. Butler brings awareness to the history of the notorious name ‘redskin,’ which was because whites actually purchased the skins and scalps of Native men, women, and even children for up to 50 pounds of currency (156). Bringing up the controversy of Indian mascots and the ominous history they reiterated. Adding to the discussion, the documentary produced by the Teacher’s Corner, allocates and provides evidential support for Butler’s argument. The documentary efficiently shows the impact of dehumanizing Natives for economic benefit, which damages the self-esteem and self-value of the Native people. Children cried at a the basketball game when the Illinois mascot, Chief Illiniwek paraded around with eagle feathers touching the ground and jumping foolishly around for the crowd’s enjoyment. Thornton’s article represents another form of disrespect for the Native Americans, which is the grave-robbing of ancestral graves for bones and burial artifacts deemed sacred. As stated by Thornton, “The Smithsonian Institution, have been reluctant to release any of their holdings even when the gravesite violations are well documented” (328). The mere fact that Native people are not allowed to rest in peace directly reiterates the concept that Native people are not respected as humans; but rather as objects to be displayed and profited
Mockery of the Indians and their sacred objects can be seen on various objects of sports’ organizations, costumes for Halloween, and even in museums, such as the Smithsonian, which showcases the deceased remnants of Native ancestors and their sacred funerary objects. Butler brings awareness to the history of the notorious name ‘redskin,’ which was because whites actually purchased the skins and scalps of Native men, women, and even children for up to 50 pounds of currency (156). Bringing up the controversy of Indian mascots and the ominous history they reiterated. Adding to the discussion, the documentary produced by the Teacher’s Corner, allocates and provides evidential support for Butler’s argument. The documentary efficiently shows the impact of dehumanizing Natives for economic benefit, which damages the self-esteem and self-value of the Native people. Children cried at a the basketball game when the Illinois mascot, Chief Illiniwek paraded around with eagle feathers touching the ground and jumping foolishly around for the crowd’s enjoyment. Thornton’s article represents another form of disrespect for the Native Americans, which is the grave-robbing of ancestral graves for bones and burial artifacts deemed sacred. As stated by Thornton, “The Smithsonian Institution, have been reluctant to release any of their holdings even when the gravesite violations are well documented” (328). The mere fact that Native people are not allowed to rest in peace directly reiterates the concept that Native people are not respected as humans; but rather as objects to be displayed and profited