I am a Man
The title of the book written by Joe Starita, entitled I am a man, was inspired by the own words uttered by the main character of the book who is recognized as a hero without any superpowers. “I am a Man” is the great story of the Ponca Indian tribe Chief Standing Bear who longs for home and justice for his people that took place in 1877. The book narrated a brilliant history of the west that is somehow similar to the tragic event known as the “Trail of Tears” when the Cherokee nation were forced to give up their land and all of their resources. The Cherokee were forced to march to the Indian Territory which is Oklahoma right now under the orders of the 7th US President Andrew Jackson who was the man behind the immoral “Indian Removal Policy.” The migration journey was brutal with the threat of illness, starvation, exhaustion, discrimination, sexual assaults, and death itself. Joe Starita was able to study and research the historical concept well before writing his book because the flow of the story is truly a chronological masterpiece that has made an impact to millions of people worldwide. This critical analysis paper aims to tell the great story of Standing Bear and the timely lesson it contains. Joe Starita is a gifted writer and was able to utilize his skills in writing in different fields mostly in Journalism. Starita was a nominee for the Pulitzer award two times.
Summary of the Book
Standing Bear and the Ponca tribe he led on in Nebraska were forced out of their homeland and were ordered to migrate to the Indian Territory which is Oklahoma. After their arrival in Oklahoma, they faced a tight grip by the US government who deceived them by telling them that agreeing to migrate will ignite the responsibility the government promise upon their arrival in the Indian Territory. It was clear that the government would provide all the equipment and resources needed for the Ponca to start a new life in the area. Because of the shortage of food, most of the tribe died because of starvation and among the deceased people is Standing Bear’s eldest son, Bear Shield. During his dying moments, Bear Shield asked his father to bury him in the traditional burial ground of their tribe which is their homeland in Nebraska. This triggered Standing Bear’s great journey for justice and a deep longing for home. Standing Bear risked his life along with twenty nine Ponca tribe members to once again come home and bury the remains of his son. The journey was brutal, the Ponca chief and members faced great cold with sufficient food and water. Reality was against them when several white citizens deprived them of food and shelter. Along the journey, the US army managed to capture the Ponca men and was ordered by officials to take them back to Oklahoma. The man who is tasked to complete the order was great Indian fighter General George Cook. After his warfare against the Indians, Cook had a great realization that he is fighting for the wrong side and the people he spent most of his life pursuing didn’t deserved that kind of suffering. After that great turning point in his life, Cook visited the assistant director of Omaha Herald which is Thomas Tibbles. Cook invited to be part of an interview involving Standing Bear so that he can also see the truth about the injustice. Cook then asked a great favor from Tibbles to gather attorney’s to fight the US government by issuing a Habeas Corpus to free the Ponca and allow them to go back home. This initiative was spread to many cities and the side fighting for the Ponca raised a lot of money and was able to gain great lawyers to support the great cause. G.M. Lamberston represented the US government. The trial was already in motion and the court room was a diverse area wherein people in clean uniforms, jewelries, and money were in the same room with an ethnic group with their lurid clothing. Standing Bear was in a room with powerful white men who are the reason of his and his fellow men’s suffering for many years. The chief was aware that he is in a territory which his position is regarded as nothing more than an animal; still, he stood brave wearing his great robes. The attorney who represented the Indian people was Thomas Tibbles himself, A.J. Poppleton, and John Webster. The attorney’s managed to introduce a group of amazing people who wants nothing more than a normal and happy life with their families. Despite that great arguments made by the attorney’s the trial still seemed to be lop sided since most of the audience weren’t convince because Lamberston made an argument that Standing Bear and his people are way out of their minds for standing against a whole nation and their law. Then Standing Bear decided to make a speech himself as a last resort for the freedom of his people. After being allowed to speak in front of judging eyes and blinded conscience, Standing Bear showed the difference between the color of his hands and those people around him. He then pricked his hand to show the blood which is the same color to all the people inside the courtroom and to all the people who ever existed in this world. He then started telling a story about him, his wife, and a little girl. All three of them were trapped in river bank between an impassable cliff and the raging water. The flood started to submerge the ground reaching their knees, the little girl then stretched out her hand and said “save me” to Standing Bear. Standing Bear started to look around and managed to see a trail that may be their last chance of surviving. He took the little girl’s hand and started to trek the trail with his wife behind him. The trail was unforgivable and the skin of their feet was torn out because of the sharp rocks. After running for their lives, they saw a glance of paradise with beautiful flowers and the graves of his father. Standing Bear uttered the words of that paradise but there was no trace of happiness in his face. He then continued his story, there was a man accompanied by many soldiers who made a barrier that separates him, his wife, and the little girl from home. If the man allowed them to pass they would live a happy life in harmony, but if not, they would be swallowed by the relentless flood and drown to their death. Standing Bear then referred to the Judge Elmer S. Dundy as the man in the way. The courtroom was filled with silence and the judge’s eyes started to shed tears. The heart of the judge and everyone in the room, took a great beating of the truth, they surrendered to the truth of their sins. The side of the Ponca tribe won, Standing Bear buried his son with next to the graves of his father. The Ponca tribe were permitted to go back home and to stay there for the rest of their lives.
Reflection
I said to myself, that the book really catches the whole attention of the reader and won’t allow his attention to be diverted. Because if my attention wasn’t targeted of the turn of events, I would have probably predicted that the man who he was pertaining to was the judge. But I didn’t, I was caught off guard, this is the power of the book and the story inside it. This book is a manifestation of the great journey of Standing Bear and the painful truth about race discrimination. I have done extended research and some American Indian natives are still suffering of discrimination these days, ever worst physical violence and sexual assault. There are natives in Alaska who have been living their lives with great fear of being raped and assaulted by immoral individuals who don’t see their worth in this world. I have also read added information about the trail of tears and it was horrifying. This book holds a lot of power and hope for everyone who will read it, but it also shares scary historical events that will probably terrify everyone who will become aware of such events. Also, the removal program in the early 1800’s was one of the most evil things to ever be implemented. This takes me to another set of emotions I felt while reading the book. Utter and strong rage, to be honest, I would probably want to kill the people who introduced the policy myself. It is like, I want to turn back time and punish everyone involve in this racial scandal.
Like I said, this is a requirement for everyone. It is essential to be aware of this story that took place in the early years. Yes it is a scary thing to think about especially with the suffering, but it is also something that will make us strong once we finally realize what is right.
Conclusion
The paper introduces the great story of Standing Bear and the meaning of the phrase, “I am a Man.” This review is clearly about the book, but the book extends to so many issues, in particular, Racism. In the early days “white people promoted the idea of white supremacy and it is still present these days” (Silva 7).
This paper will be an eye opener especially the story of Standing Bear’s suffering and his attempt to provide freedom to his people. The book will empower all the readers, and this review aims to provide little courage for racial equality. This world would be a great place if people started to value what is inside rather than the pigments of other people’s skin.
Works Cited
Silva, Eduardo Bonilla. Racism without Racists and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in America. 4th ed. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, Inc. Print.
I am a Man by Joe Starita is a historical book whose theme revolves around hope and survival, as well as racism and discrimination.
Overview
The book talks about the White man’s cruelty towards American Indians
It talks about how the American /Indians persevered
Review
I found the book inspiring.
It made me feel the pain of the American Indians
I think it’s a required reading for all.
It effectively conveys the message that racism is harmful to society.
Summary
Despite our different colors, we are all the same -- men and women.
All f us have blood coursing through our veins.
Standing Bear’s story should inspire everyone.
