Stereotypes

Watching the documentary clip about the stereotyping of indigenous peoples was eye opening. I think we're all aware of the current issues facing indigenous peoples in the Americas but I never really thought about the reasons. I'm doing my essay paper based on a poem about capitalism and it's effect on non white peoples so it has been very enlightening to think about all of the direct facets of our society that I never considered to be dangerous (such as the film industry or our economy) but in reality are contributing to the continuance of colonization.

Was He a Fool? by WithOut Reservation

So, regardless of whether Christopher Columbus was smart or did the right thing, I thought this was offensive and not the positive or productive energy needed for an indigenous movement centered around decolonization. I understand that there is a lot of anger and I respect the need to express that anger but when you have a direct confrontation between two very different societies and you're trying to find an acceptable compromise, throwing around insults is hostile and a waste of time. Comparing Columbus to a disgusting white and dirty pimple (and maybe even stretching the analogy to all white people?? I don't know) seems to cause unnecessary tension. There's a huge difference between fighting for historical accuracy and wanting the world to know the truth and being antagonistic and rude. I think this issue leads into the greater issue: what sort of compromise are we looking to make? Indigenous peoples want sovereignty and the rights that were taken away and are angry at the mistreatment that they suffered at the hands of western society, as they should be, but it's not right to take the land away from Caucasian descendants, kick them out and give it back to the indigenous peoples.  You can't punish someone for the mistakes of their fathers so I think the only fair solution is to look for a compromise between western and indigenous culture. I have no idea how a solution will be reached, if it ever will be, but I definitely know that the way we WON'T get there is by being nasty and disrespectful to each other.