Native Americans- Minority Role - 3478 Words

Thesis Since the arrival of the Europeans in 1492 the Native American has systematically been dehumanized, decivilized and redefined into terms that typify a subordinate or minority role, restricted life opportunities persist today as a result. I. Introduction-Majority/Minority group relations- the role of power II. Historical Overview A. Native American life before contact with the White man. B. Early contact, efforts at peaceful co-existence. C. Conflict and its consequences for Native Americans III. The continuing role of power A. Control techniques used by the majority group B. Native American life today, SES, housing, education, etc. Power and Minority Group Position: The Case of Native Americans Majority/Minority group†¦show more content†¦Their bows and arrows were no match for the Europeans firearms, and their bodies could not defend against the foreign diseases (DiBacco, 1995). As the encroachment of settlers on Indian lands continued, so did the inevitable conflicts. To the Indians, the arriving Europeans seemed attuned to another world; they appeared oblivious to the rhythms and spirits of nature (Jordan, 1991). Nature to the Europeans was something of an obstacle, even an enemy, and these disrespectful attitudes were quite apparent to the Indians. The wilderness was also a commodity however: a forest was so many board feet of timber, a beaver colony so many pelts, a herd of buffalo so many hides (Jordan, 1991). The Europeans cultural arrogance and ethnocentrism, and their materialistic view of the land and its inhabitants were repulsive to the Indians. Europeans, overall, were regarded as something mechanical - soulless creatures wielding diabolically ingenious tools and weapons to accomplish selfish ends (Jordan, 1991). Initial European impressions of the Native American population were formed by the descriptions of Columbus and other explorers. Although Columbus initially praised the Taino, crediting them with ...a very acute intelligence..., he also provided an unfavorable view of Native Americans when he discussed the Carib Indians, who were said to be very fierce cannibals. This description set the stage for theShow MoreRelated Native Americans- Minority Role Essay3423 Words   |  14 Pagesthe Native American has systematically been dehumanized, decivilized and redefined into terms that typify a subordinate or minority role, restricted life opportunities persist today as a result. I. Introduction-Majority/Minority group relations- the role of power II. Historical Overview A. Native American life before contact with the White man. B. Early contact, efforts at peaceful co-existence. C. Conflict and its consequences for Native Americans IIIRead MoreFilm, Art And Literature Essay1338 Words   |  6 Pagesplatform for Native Americans to be acknowledged as a culture but also became a medium of racism and stereotyping due to the producers and creators in power. The way many portray and view Native Americans in film now can be traced back to when early films featured them. In the cinematic industry, â€Å"Native North American filmmaking and television broadcasting gained momentum, alongside the work of other minority groups, in the late 1960’s† (Raheja). Like many other minority groups, the American Indian group’sRead MoreMass Media, Legislation And Education Play Critical Roles Essay715 Words   |  3 PagesShahar Platt Group B Professor Rajan 3/3/15 Paper #3 Mass media, legislation and education play critical roles in times of conflict, deculturalization, and state-sponsored mass violence against civilians. 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