Genocide of the Mind: New Native American Writing (Nation Books) (Paperback)

One question it presents is whether Native Americans have a different way of relating to the world than other Americans. Also, there is much in here about racism, the more subtle racism that exists today vs. the obvious genocide that occurred in past centuries. Reading the book, I felt sad that my family traditions were lost, wondering if my great-grandfather was forced to assimilate. Perhaps he was sent to a boarding school or resettled with a white family. Was it because of racism that he did not pass down the culture or even the name of his tribe?

The book is a compilation of essays, so there are many different viewpoints. Because many Native Americans are now also part-European, there was much discussion on what is a real Indian and if that question is even valid. Some people believe that you can never be Native American if you were not raised in that culture. Another idea I've heard elsewhere repeated here is that no one is part Indian - you are either Native American or you're not. Some wrote that it was important to learn and preserve your tribal languages and customs, even if your predecessors did not do so.

The essays on mascots was very eye-opening. Previously, I always thought that mascots shouldn't be a big issue, as long as we have teams called "the vikings", why not "the Indians". But after reading several essays on it, I have completely changed my mind. Apparently "redskin" has nothing to do with skin color but because of a bounty that the English government put out on native americans (red - i.e. bloody). In that light, it is really horrible that "redskins" is a team name! To continue on the topic of my reactions to the book, I have wondered whether I would have the same strong reactions if I was reading a book about a different race, one that I have no connection to.

The book made me think about a lot of things that I haven't thought about it before, or not all at once. I especially could relate to the sections written by people who were of mixed ancestry like myself. We have had a lot of common experiences, from comments on our hair and skin color to confusion about our ancestry. As it turns out, I am not the only one that is often mistaken for Spanish or Italian!

The last section was about perceptions of Native Americans vs. the reality. For example, many Americans believe that Native Americans have died out. History and anthrolopogy books speak about Native American tribes in the past tense. Then there are the depictions of Native Americans on television and in children's books. Pocahontas, the nymphette of the Disney movies, does not represent Native American woman. Nor does Sacajawea. Or any of the Western sidekicks or villains.

Because of these stereotypes, some modern Native Americans have been told that they are not Native American by Caucasians because they do not conform to the stereotype - i.e. the feathers, the tipi, etc. This story sounded so familiar that I was quite sure it had happened to me as well.

The mascot issue is still pervasive in the american mainstream. People think of Indians as less real as if their opinion doesn't matter anymore. It's like they forget the mainstream just happily, comfortably, and complacently forgets that Native Americans even exist. It's sick. A mental illness that pervades society. That is not how you treat a fellow HUMAN BEING on the planet. How can you claim to be a progressive democratic union when you blatantly misuse stereotypical images of "savage" "ignorant" "crazy" CARICATURED minority populations in order to propel the spirit of aggression in a measly sporting event? Wake up and look in the mirror america... this is reality. This is what is going on in 2003. Meanwhile many natives have given up on life and turned to self sabotaging behavior. People forget about them, they become invisible, their issues and concerns don't matter and the end result is often a deep sense of meaninglessness on what is supposed to be your people's sacred home lands...

I'm glad I read this book. I highly recommend it!

I not an american indian myself. I am igbo from west africa.

blessings...