The Popularity of being Indian
In “The Popularity of being Indian and returning the Balance” the authors are both struggling with their identity, but in different ways. Deloria feels that literary mythologizing of Indians has clouded their actual history. He feels that the term “Indian” has been used to influence personal and social agendas that have impacted identity.
Deloria worries that true Native Americas will lose their identity because of their misrepresentation in society (Calloway 2012). There is an ever constant struggle between acceptance and rejection in this culture. While they were once persecuted now they are mythologized. This ever changing process has led to an Indian identity crisis.
Mankiller feels that cultural identity is still strong. She faced many trials in her life including the struggle for Native American rights and the struggle to maintain ancestral land (Calloway 2012). However even though many within her culture were taken from their land, she feels that this only strengthened their feeling of togetherness. She thinks that the struggles they have endured caused Indians to work together more closely and share traditions (Calloway 2012). She thinks most Americans do not truly understand the culture therefore making it hard to understand their struggles. She doesn’t think the problem is within their culture in terms of identity, but in how others perceive them. She feels that their struggles are the same as any other persons with only minor differences. She embraces the idea of allow the culture to evolve with the times.
In conclusion, both of these authors feel that they are misrepresented identity wise by other cultures. They also identify that they face additional issues that others may not face because of their identity. However, Mankiller takes a much more optimistic view than Deloria and doesn’t feel that one should dwell on past identities but instead work on shaping future ones.
Works Cited:
Calloway, . First Peoples: A Documentary Survey of. 2012. https://edge.apus.edu/access/content/group/195662/Textbook/Calloway_2012_Ch09.pdf (accessed December 19, 2012).
