Connections

I found it very interesting to discuss the stereotypes portrayed by Diane Burns and Chrystos versus those provided by Jack D. Forbes and Ines Hernandez-Avila. When actually comparing how these different authors presented their ideas of stereotypes, it can be noted that Burns and Chrystos focus more on the Native American stereotypes that have come from the "White Man" and others that are somewhat more ignorant in regard to Native Americans and how they are portrayed through media and stories. The interesting thing to see is how these two poems are very different from Forbes and Hernandez-Avila, yet they are about the same subject. Both Forbes and Hernandez -Avila emphasize the stereotypes of Native Americans WITHIN the people, not by ignorant outsiders and the "White Man." Forbes' story, "Only Approved Indians," invoked an incredible amount of anger and annoyance in me towards some of the Native Americans themselves and the "White Man" presented as well. When he shows to the reader that there is a sense of internal-colonization going on between tribes and among the Native American people, it hurts me inside. I feel the injustice that is going on and how the characters are rejecting language as a way to show and prove that the Native Americans playing in the basketball tournament are indeed Native Americans. Not only does he touch on what is actually of value to people in regard to Native peoples (when he says that their language and the way they look was not good enough to convince the other team and the officials that they were indeed Native Americans, and what they really needed was a BIA card to prove themselves as indigenous), he brings up several stereotypes that are seen even among different native peoples. What shocked me the most was that these stereotypes were started as rumors and if you pay attention to how it is worded in the text, these things include: facial hair (Native Americans aren't supposed to have any) and rule (all Native peoples should be under the rule of the "White Man").

These things bother me tremendously. It doesn't sense to use these stereotypes as a basis to determine whether Native Americans are even recognized as Native peoples to the Bureau of Indian Affairs or not, and these things should not bring up questions of whether a tribe is actually from the United States (as in this particular text) or not. This brings up a major problem for me that is seen when the people are fighting with each other. It obviously doesn't make sense, but it is something controversial to look into when trying to decide if this is really helping the people or not. I think this makes things that much worse for Native Americans because this way they end up losing their culture, and the emphasis on being a true Native American is gone. The members of the Great Lakes team couldn't speak their own languages and yet the Tucson team could, yet they were disqualified based on the idea that they weren't from recognized tribes, they therefore didn't have BIA cards, and they weren't Native American enough to play in the tournament. This is just wrong and it sets the indigenous people back farther than when just the "White Man" was colonizing them.

Finally...

I thought and thought and thought to myself about the word "Indian." It's an interesting word when you think about it as an Indian in America. As discussion after discussion has gone in class, I cringe slightly every time I hear the word "Indian." Not because I think there is anything wrong with that word, no. I am Indian. No, not Native American or indigenous, Indian. I understand that the White Man came to America and called the indigenous people they encountered "Indians," but the acceptance of this word and calling yourself "Indian" when you truly are not, that is giving in to the White Man and his improper label. In other words, it bothers me immensely, more recently than previously, that America's indigenous people are letting themselves be called "Indians." All I can think inside is, "You aren't Indian. I am." Harsh, but true. It took me some time to actually realize that this was a problem for me. Not so much the fact that the indigenous people choose to call themselves "Indians," but the idea that using this word within their own culture, whether on the reservation or not, gives them less of an advantage in getting the amenities they seek from the government. How can a group of people expect to get anywhere when they don't call themselves what they are, rather they call themselves a name, and label themselves with a word, that was given to them by ignorant settlers. That is the part that bothers me the most...I almost feel like it gives them a lack of identity. Using the name of their tribe, or indigenous as a whole, or Native American all show that sense of individuals fighting for their beliefs, they are not a label, they are not to be taken advantage of, they are powerful. But, to me, using the word "Indian" instead of indigenous, or others, is presenting a powerless and passive argument.

This idea was re-sparked in me when I read Diane Burns' "Sure You Can Ask Me A Personal Question." It was always there on the back burner of my mind, but she gives me a reason to bring it to the forefront. When she mentions that she is not American Indian, she is Native American and not from India, it makes me feel good inside. She is recognizing that she has been improperly labeled by ignorant settlers and colonizers and the fact that she fixes her statement shows that she is rejecting the colonization. Another thing that sparked my interest in the second poem, "I Am Not Your Princess" by Chrystos, was when she states. "This is Indian food only if you know that Indian is a government word..." (lines 12-13). This emphasizes the idea that the government has labeled Native Americans this way and that they should NOT accept that. In a sense, they shouldn't be calling themselves what they are not. They aren't Indian, they are Native American, indigenous, and more.

On a different note, I found the ideas portrayed in the tone of the two poets very appealing, especially when read aloud. Being able to hear the hostility or resentment and slight annoyance in each line of these poems gives the reader a sense of how the two women feel about what the majority of people think about Native people as a whole.