According to the Native American historian Ward Churchill, who analyzed Native Americans in film around the 1930s, there were three typical patterns in which Native Americans were depicted in the era preceding WWII. Churchill contended that the three themes consistently implied that Native Americans are primitive beings, that they lack significant history, and that all Native Americans were the same. Although these stereotypes were common for Native Americans in the 1930s, these patterns were not in the movie Broken Arrow (1950). This film is considered the starting point of a new era in the film industry where Hollywood sought to be more considerate of the social implications on the portrayal of Native American culture.…
Looney Tunes Television is a prime example for stereotypes, especially in cartoons. For instance, in the Looney Tunes cartoon, Horse Hare, Bugs Bunny is hired by the USA cavalry as a sergeant to protect an army fort from the Indian army led by Yosemite Sam. Because of the use of derogatory terms and Native American stereotypes, this cartoon is rarely ever broadcasted on television because of ethnographic stereotyping. The Indians also speak in stereotypical broken English (“Red whiskered white man big loud mouth braggart”; “Me wouldn’t like to be me tonight”).…
The meaning of a genuine American can’t be found in any text; the possibilities are too vast. There are the individuals who consider place of birth and citizenship, the individuals who feel that residency is the main component, and there are some that won't make a judgment unless a whole life is laid out. The definition is more straightforward than numerous individuals will agree to. John "Duke" Wayne once stated, “A man’s got to have a code, a creed to live by, no matter his job (Pilar Wayne, vii).” To Wayne, that ideology implied carrying on with his life as somebody who might speak to America well.…
The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven and Indian Killer are centered on the lives of Native Americans. Whether on or off the reservation, these characters face many challenges. However, no challenge is as great as their struggle for an identity in modern America. This is made apparent in each character’s actions, the stereotypes that are forced upon them, and the author’s use of symbolism.…
In a film directed by Chris Eyre, “Smoke Signals,” is the story of two Indian boys in a journey. At Idaho 's desolate Coeur d 'Alene Indian reservation, Victor and Thomas grew up together. They are not exactly friends, but they have a special connection that built up throughout the story. Victor Joseph is the stoic, athletic young man who is mostly ignored by others. On the other hand, Thomas Builds-the-Fire is the goofy, young man who is a true believer of spirits and he makes every effort to connect with others through the oral tradition of storytelling.…
My background as Punjabi Sikh has helped me interact with individuals who are different from me in culture effectively because I now respect other people’s cultural and social values. I have been taught that every culture is different and just because it is different doesn’t mean it’s inferior. My family owns a small liquor store downtown Baltimore, which I worked almost all of my summers growing up. I have seen many diverse groups of people e.g. opulent Caucasians and unfortunate African Americans and Caucasians. My experience working with these people lead me to the conclusion I should not deem anyone based on their wealth because everyone has a different background and different reason why they consume liquor.…
Immigration Beyond Ellis Island Kazi I. Hossain Kazi Hossain is a professor in the Education department at Millersville University, Millersville, PA. The major focus of the text is that teaching aimed at developing an appropriate awareness of the immigration process is essential in K-12. The reading was assigned to give us an updated discussion on immigration, one that centers on the legal process and experiences of a modern day American immigrant. The text was a good source of immigration policy, however, my highschool did spend a considerable amount of time teaching and making us discuss modern immigration policy and issues.…
Since the initial colonization of the United States, indigenous peoples of the United States have stood firmly against physical and cultural genocide, fighting through negative stereotypes, forced assimilation, the influences of drugs and alcohol, injustice, as well as lack of advocacy even into the present. Native Americans took action through militant and peaceful protests, social action, as well as legal confrontation to combat racism and discrimination in and to their culture. “Kill the Indian, save the man” was a prime example of the struggle of cultural genocide via forced assimilation. The Indian boarding school projects, where Native American children were taken away from their families, destroying maternal and sibling relationships, and assimilated into an unfamiliar culture. Native children forced into the “Kill the Indian save the man” initiative were disconnected almost entirely from their tribal culture: native children were restricted from speaking their own language, using their traditional names for they received new names,…
As a blind conformist to the government, he is like the millions upon millions of other people who are completely brainwashed by technology and government media, oblivious to the much more…
My essay states what being an American means to people from historical text, and what it means to someone I interviewed and myself. The key that I was able to figure out was that we all believe in the same thing. That being an American is much more than what anyone thinks. Being an American means knowing that you have a decent shot at life, and knowing that your opinion can be heard, without the agitation of hearing a knock on your door. To complete my research I read and annotated eight articles about what it means to be an American means; and from those eight I only chose two of the best articles to write about.…
In April 1861, one month into the Civil War, Alfred M. Green gave a speech to persuade his fellow African Americans to join the Union army and fight for their country. His practical usage of repetition, reference to religion, and comparison between blacks in the North and South encourages African Americans to join the Union army. Through repetition of certain words, Green creates a connection between himself and his fellow African Americans. He begins with, “It is true,” in both the second and third paragraphs and acknowledges the struggles black Americans have faced in his country.…
As a Sioux Native American, Vine Deloria Jr. has spent a lifetime in the shadow of the stereotypes that falsely represent his culture. In an essay from his book We Talk, You Listen, Deloria Jr. illustrates multiple stereotypes in order to instill a desire within minorities to embrace their heritage and destroy preconceived notions of minority groups, especially Native Americans. Deloria Jr. begins the essay by establishing the types of stereotypes Indians are facing. He alludes to multiple films and television shows to demonstrate the commonplace stereotypes within American society. Indians were portrayed simply as servants to white Americans.…
In the movie “Glory” it tells the story of the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts, the first Civil war that allowed African American men to volunteer in the war. This was started because Officer Shaw volunteered to lead the African American soldiers. Unfortunately, Shaw's job wasn’t effortless he had to handle the people who had orders to kill superior African Americans and also he had to manage his own officers. Officer Shaw spent most of his time maintaining both sides and trying to get them to come together to fight to win the war. The reason why so much commotion existed between the White Northerns and African Americans was simply because white people felt as if African American men didn’t have the ability to be a robust, reliable soldier.…
In “Dear John Wayne” by Louise Erdrich, it becomes obvious to the reader that Erdrich feels as if Native Americans, such as herself, are inferior to the entire white population. Throughout her poem, Erdrich expresses her opinions and the actions of white people like “John Wayne.” The message she sends to the reader brings attention to the display of Native Americans. Erdrich strives to express her opinion that the media displays Native Americans in an insignificant fashion and that the media believes their worth is inconspicuous. First of all, Erdrich’s use of John Wayne indicates additional information than just the importance of his movies and the drive-in.…
In relation to being feared he has forcibly divided himself from the rest of the community to which he preaches to. Rev. Mr. Hooper is an example of what it is to be obsessed with an idea that consumes an entire being. Reverend Mr. Hooper had a haunted mind that led him to wearing a black veil for part of his life, which results in him to living with terrible consequences. Reverend Hooper’s obsession with hypocrisy and secret sin alienate him from humanity.…