Last Posting

James Niggemann (jjn8780@silver.sdsmt.edu)
Fri, 12 Dec 1997 18:35:11 -0700 (MST)

1.

I am glad I heard Robert Big Elk's testimony. Being white, it is not
easy to see the "other side" of your country, culture, and religion. I
grew up Catholic and had never heard of children being forced into
missionary schools. I think it is too bad that we will only accept people
who are different if they conform to our ways. I think the attempt to
deprive the Indian people of their identity by our government and the
Christian church is a testament to our ignorance, and we should be
embarrassed.
There were connections in Big Elk's talk to Silko's writings. His
personal conflict was similar to Tayo's. Returning to Indian culture
helped him find his identity. I think Robert still has a lot of unsolved
conflicts, unlike perhaps Tayo's less realistic, seemingly complete
recovery. Like the films, and books, his talk gave a picture of Indian
history we just do not see growing up.
I wanted to ask Big Elk what he expects from white people. I think
many white people regret the cruel treatment of the Indian people and
would try to make amends. Although it was sometimes uncomfortable to
listen, I appreciated his frankness.

2.
I think Storyteller gives a true description of Indians and their culture.
That is something we rarely get in the media and movies. I think we need
to be exposed to other perspectives. I would recommend it to someone who
would be receptive to that kind of exposure. I suppose many people would
take offense to the things said about white people.

3.
This class introduced me to literature I would have never found myself.
I do not read much, but do enjoy reading something that affects me in some
way. I gained a new respect for Indian people and their culture. I think
I feel more sympathy for them than I did before.
J. Thomason's posting does not really strike a nerve with me, though. I
think being white, and having heard what I have growing up, may have
made me sort of numb.
I prefer keeping a journal over the e-mail. With a journal you can go
back and change entries. The nice thing about the internet is that you
can get ideas from other people to help you write your posting.

*******
To Unsubscribe send email to majordomo@majordomo.sdsmt.edu with
unsubscribe silko in the body.
An html format archive of silko is available at:
http://www.sdsmt.edu/listserve/silko/