Full Description
Since the earliest days of America, racist imagery has been used to create harmful stereotypes of the indigenous people. In this book, the conflict between invading European white settlers and the indigenous groups who occupied the land that became the United States is described through the context of race and racism. Using depictions from art, literature, radio, cinema and television, the origin and persistence of such stereotypes are explained, and their debilitating effects on the well-being of Indians are presented. This text also explores their accomplishments in attempts to maintain their sovereignty, dignity and respect.
Contents
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Foreword by Suzan Shown Harjo
Preface
Introduction: The Forgotten Minority: How Stereotypes Marginalized the Indians
1. Race and Reality
2. Why Race Matters
3. The Origin of Race and Racism
4. In the Beginning
5. Conquistadors and Cannibals
6. The Lasting Testament of The Last of the Mohicans
7. Native Americans and Atrocities: Scalping, Raping, and Pillaging
8. Barbarians, Savages, Braves, Warriors, Statesmen, and Heroes
9. Cooper's Enduring Influence
10. Compulsory Assimilation: Indian Boarding Schools
11. The Drunken Indian Stereotype
12. Indian Casinos: Winners and Losers in the Game of Life
13. Making Stereotypes Stick: Indians as Cultural Artifacts
14. The Contemporary Western Novel and Native Americans
15. Television, Cowboys, and Indians
16. Buffalo Bill, Art, and Indians
17. Native Americans in the Modern Media
18. Proselytizers, Do-Gooders, Voyeurs, and Exploiters
19. The Final Fight?
Epilogue
Appendix: List of Federal and State Recognized Tribes
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
