My cultural background in ways is similar to many others; I am Irish, Scottish, German, a little bit of Swedish, and other little amounts of random nationalities. However in my life I also have my youngest sister who is half Native American. Although there is about twelve years between us I still feel that we have a very strong bond with her and I know that she often looks up to me.
Being part Irish, Scottish and German I’ve never really looked at those ethnic backgrounds as being such a big thing in my life since many people I have met often tell me that they are the same general combination. Except when I mention that although I am not Native American I associate myself with the nationality because I think that since the culture’s traditions seem to be fading from our country that it is a good thing for me to help culture my little sister on her background. Growing up my mother was very close to the Native American chief in my area, since they were so close it allowed me to learn a great amount about their traditions as well as Native American spirituality.
I do think that my personal ethic background has little influence on me because living in the United States; I feel that almost everyone has multiple amounts of nationalities in their lives one way or another. I have always been taught to keep an open mind about people and I try to do this as often as I can. I think the general aspect of living in the United States allows people to be in contact with so many people of different races, religions, and ethnic decent. Thinking about some of the biggest variables in my life, I think the shear fact of where I live has had one of the largest impacts on me.
With other people’s perspectives, I think they could assume that I am Irish since Wisconsin has had a large amount of Irish immigrants move here in the past years. However I do not think that anyone would be able to see me and make the assumption that I have such a strong influence from Native American backgrounds. I think since most people see me as a Caucasian male many assumptions could be made before they have the chance to communicate with me, except this is something that also varies from person to person. Judging by past experience when I tell people about my Native American background most people are unsure what to think and some have even made harsh generalizations. If they could tell just by looking at me I think it would change how they approach me completely, although that is just an assumption.
Any ideas as to why people with Native American backgrounds are often looked down upon? Reflect on your own ethnic background and think about the different ways that almost every culture, when immigrating to the U.S. has been ostracized.
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I think that sometimes people with Native American backgrounds are looked down upon because they are thought to be less educated. The schools that they attend on the reservations are not like the schools that other children attend.
ReplyDeleteYour second question is very interesting to me. I think that every culture has been ostracized because when immigrating to the United States they were a new breed of people. The people that were living in the United States were/are not familiar with many of these people and begin to treat them differently because of this.
I am from Northern Minnesota, where there is a large Native American population not far from here. I have heard of many instances where people with a Native American background have been treated poorly. I think this is just disgusting, but sometimes I do think there is a reason for it. I mean, there is never a reason to treat someone poorly, but if they are treating you inappropriately, I guess it is a little more justified?
ReplyDeleteWhat I have found living up here is that Native Americans have a couple different rights than other ethnicities. I have heard that if they are fishing on an preserve, they can catch more fish than is allowed. I don't know if this is true, but I feel that it could be since I have heard it multiple times. The reason why I think people have been treating them poorly is because there have been a couple cases of Native Americans abusing this privledge and privledges similar to it. I do not have any exact cases, but these are all very real and understandable accounts.
I do not think it is okay to treat others poorly because of their nationality, but I also do not think it is okay to abuse the system. We should all be grateful for what we are given and should not take it for granted. I also hope I did not offend anyone in this post, I am just stating what I have heard and not how I have acted.
People of Native American descent are often looked down upon because they were ostracized as soon as Europeans reached the continent. They were driven from their homes and established lands, cheated and lied to, and then forced to live on reservations in order to upkeep their cultures. Yet while we learn this in our history classes, we also learn of the proud founders of our country and the amazing feats of those that "found" this continent. Never did a text that I recall make the statement, "Columbus did not find this land first--the Native Americans were already here."
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