Throughout American history, the Native Americans have always been stepped on by European and United States governments. In the eyes of white people, Native Americans have been seen as unequal and inferior to them. Ever since Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas and started colonizing the New World, Native Americans have been pushed around or killed for their land. Quickly, Native Americans culture was lost and European colonies thrived. By the late 19th century, almost all of Native American cultures died off. Edward Curtis, a photographer, documented the daily lives of Native Americans. Through his photographs, Curtis humanized the Native Americans and allowed Americans to understand and respect them. One of his photographs, An Idle
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The title of this photogravure is “An Idle Hour” yet the Indians have never had a break from racism. The Native Americans were never idle because they were always busy being relocated or killed. In the photograph, the two individuals are worried about their future. Through the eyes of an ignorant American, the two Native Americans seem to be resting peacefully, but in actuality, they are anxious about their dying culture. Through the contradiction between the title and the feelings of the Native Americans, Curtis points out that the lack of understanding of the average American and criticizes the empathetic citizens of the United States. Another interpretation of the title “An Idle Hour” can be that the two Native Americans in the photograph are wishing for an idle hour where their culture is not under threat by the American government and can rest peacefully. In the photograph, the two sad Native Americans are looking out onto the distance daydreaming about their people being treated like American citizens, not being segregated from society, and getting their land back. Curtis tries to get the observer to grant the Native Americans’ wish and treat them with respect and dignity. Both these interpretations narrow down to the fact that Native Americans are treated horribly and that people need to protest against the government to prevent anymore poor treatment toward
The title of this photogravure is “An Idle Hour” yet the Indians have never had a break from racism. The Native Americans were never idle because they were always busy being relocated or killed. In the photograph, the two individuals are worried about their future. Through the eyes of an ignorant American, the two Native Americans seem to be resting peacefully, but in actuality, they are anxious about their dying culture. Through the contradiction between the title and the feelings of the Native Americans, Curtis points out that the lack of understanding of the average American and criticizes the empathetic citizens of the United States. Another interpretation of the title “An Idle Hour” can be that the two Native Americans in the photograph are wishing for an idle hour where their culture is not under threat by the American government and can rest peacefully. In the photograph, the two sad Native Americans are looking out onto the distance daydreaming about their people being treated like American citizens, not being segregated from society, and getting their land back. Curtis tries to get the observer to grant the Native Americans’ wish and treat them with respect and dignity. Both these interpretations narrow down to the fact that Native Americans are treated horribly and that people need to protest against the government to prevent anymore poor treatment toward