Lesson 2: Native Americans in Myth and Popular Representation Discussion Topics Topic Option 1: Native American Typologies in History and Culture Today Discussion- King
Lesson 2: Native Americans in Myth and Popular Representation Discussion Topics
Topic Option 1: Native American Typologies in History and Culture Today
Discussion-
King repeatedly makes the point that “knowledge would not set us free” (2012:14), as humans as cultural beings have a distinct tendency to subscribe to predominant and shared narratives even in the face of new realities. In other words, even if presented with defensible facts that a commonly-perceived ‘truth’ that pertains to a fundamental worldview is untrue, people tend to rely on the established narrative even if proven false. This is the classic definition of willful ignorance, which is not as innocent as simple ignorance (not knowing). This is also one of Socrates’ points in ‘The Allegory of the Cave’ as represented in Plato’s The Republic when the prisoner, who has ‘seen the light’ returns to the cave to free the other prisoners from their chains (metaphorical ignorance). Rather than choosing the new reality that is the world outside the cave, they reject the light (knowledge), kill the enlightened prisoner, and remain in the cave only to stare at shadows to which they have given names (willful ignorance).
King illustrates this not-uncommon tendency through the discussion of several perpetuated myths in the shared ‘history’ of American Indians and Euroamericans such as Almo – Idaho’s most deadly, and most evidently non-existent massacre. Similar accounts of Americans who prefer not to learn about the real contexts of the rather less-sexual and romantic relationship between the 11-year old, non-Disney, real life Pocahontas and John Smith also illustrate this point.
Matika Wilbur also explores this disconnection between people’s images and expectations of Native Americans, and they realities. Many consider Native American identity to be a debatable matter, as if American Indians are abstract subject, while often ignoring what King refers to as the “Live Indians” who indeed exist and often hold the key to better understandings.
Please answer bullets below
Briefly discuss any one of the historic accounts that King explores.
Please compare the popular, Euroamerican historic narrative with the American Indian historic acc
ount. Are there any discrepancies? If so, what are they and where did they stem from?
Using King as well as outside sources, share and briefly explore any related or similar issue going on today in which Native American voices are not yet heard despite them speaking. In other words, highlight a contemporary issue, and try to identify the stakeholders, their respective positions, and the key variables that make the issue complex. Keep in mind that people tend to not want to be evil and generally attempt to do what they think is correct or right, so simply stating that one side or another is wrong or simply cruel is not a defensible argument. Instead, what makes this case challenging for both sides, and what do we need to known in order to better understand the conflicting accounts?
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