Native American Exploitation
In all of history, there has yet to exist a group of people to feel the effects of genocide to the extent in which Native Americans have. There might be a valid argument concerning the injustices done to the people of African descent, however, slavery and 500 years of colonization marginally compares to the complete destruction and annihilation of a people, culture, and spirit. The plight of the Native American since colonization has shaped the modern day negative images and identity of the so called "Indian". One of today's most prolific Native American writers, Sherman Alexie, explores and challenges the Native American identity throughout his poetry, essays, short stories, and movies."I Hated Tonto (Still Do)" is an essay in which Alexie explains how the negative depiction of Native Americans through the use of white cinematic Indians shaped his view on how a Native American is supposed to act. Ironically, he hated Tonto, a relatively positive depicted cinematic Indian played by a full-blooded Cherokee, Victor Daniels. Despite his hate for Tonto, Alexie claims he still loved Indian movies. Even
This view of the ideal Indian represents the average persons' view of Native Americans, when there is nothing hereditary about looking mean and quiet as if you're in conversation with the Earth. These false images in the minds of the people were perpetuated by the images produced in Hollywood and accepted by Indians and non-Indians alike. In the movie Victor coaches Thomas on how to act like an Indian, telling him he as to look mean to get respect, be quiet and look like you have secrets, and use your hair instead of keeping it in braids. The conditions and dilemmas the Native American has been put through since colonization has produced a falsified view of Indians in the minds of most Americans. In fact, he wanted to be like those white actors who climbed mountains, fought cowboys, talked with monosyllables, and were always accompanied by ominous music. Thomas knew the history of his people. Sherman Alexie is one of the premier Native American writers who is challenging and exploring these issues of identity and negative imagery. Ironically, in the short story it is Thomas, the nuisance of the reservation, who is the peaceful storyteller and is portrayed as wise beyond his years, embodying the ancient tradition of his culture. He goes on to say that Native Americans started accepting their own lowered expectations to the point where it didn't matter that cinematic Indians never had jobs, were always serious, and were mostly played by non-Indians. Tonto was the only cinematic Indian with a starring role who was full-blooded Indian, yet he was riding alongside the Lone Ranger on a horse called "white feller". Instead of terrorizing the white man, he worked with him. The embracement of this warrior mentality by Native American boys is also shown in the Alexie movie Smoke Signals, which is the movie version of his short story "This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona". He knew that the only way for his people to become powerful again was to past down stories about their heritage and "take care of each other" (Alexie 745).
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Acceptance Essays
