Native American Stereotypes

         When I say Native American what is the first image that pops into your head? If I had to guess, I would bet it looked a little something like this...

         Native Americans are often portrayed in media as stone cold warriors, and more often than less, the enemy. In "Because My Father Always Said He Was The Only Indian Who Saw Jimi Hendrix Play 'The Star-Spangled Banner' At Woodstock" by Sherman Alexie, an Indigenous American and Libra, Alexie writes about peoples distorted outlook on Native Americans.
         If you listen to Jimi Hendrix's version of The Star-Spangled Banner, you would notice that it sounds, for lack of a better word, different. Hendrix's screeching guitar and pounding drums mimic the sound of screams and bombs. This warped version of the national anthem is a symbol for people's distorted view on Native Americans. Listen to the song and tell me what you think in the comments below! https://www.youtube.com/watch     
        Alexie also writes about the attire worn at Woodstock that year, "bell-bottoms and flowered shirts" (25). Alexie's father takes this 'hippie' facade as people trying to dress like Native Americans. After knowing this information, the reader can look back at the title and infer that Alexie's father felt like the only Indian at Woodstock, because everyone else was a 'fake' Indian.
         Alexie's father and Jimi Hendrix both feel like outsiders in society. Hendrix being, half black and half white, didn't feel like he belonged anywhere in the music world. He felt either too white for the black people, or too black for the white people. Hendrix and Alexie's father, both minorities, share the same feeling of not belonging in society.

The Patriotic Spectrum: Where do you fall?

This week in class we read a very interesting essay called “The Partly Cloudy Patriot” by Sarah Vowell. (Fun fact about Vowell, she’s a Capricorn and was the voice of Violet in The Incredibles!) Vowell is often referred to as a ‘social observer’, given she has written seven nonfiction books on American history and culture. In “The Partly Cloudy Patriot” Vowell discusses the range of the patriotic spectrum, and what it means to fall on either end of it.

There are two ends of the spectrum, full sun and storm clouds. Full sun would describe the people who only support their country when it is doing well. On the other end, storm clouds, are those who portray a blind loyalty to their country. This can also be described as jingoism or  extreme patriotism. Throughout the essay the reader can see the inner struggle Vowell faces as she tries to decide which side she falls on.

After the events of 9/11 “flags were plastered everywhere, seeing them was heartening because they indicated that we are all in this sorrow together” (1058). In this passage Vowell begins to illustrate a key moment in her journey to finding which side she belongs on. Vowell decides to contribute to this act of patriotism and put up a flag of her own. As she’s about to tape a flag to her window she hesitates and throws it into the recycling bin. Yes the flag symbolizes unity for a mourning nation, but it also represents war and destruction, especially when the president began to take action against the ‘evildoers’. Vowell realizes she’s not on the stormy side when she is skeptical of the flag and its meaning.

Later in the essay Vowell takes the flag out of the recycling bin and tapes it to her window. In doing this she also finds out that she does not fall under the sunny side when she states, “I know I’m no sunshine patriot” (1060). Just because her country isn’t in the best place doesn’t mean she can’t support it in its time of need.

After these events Vowell makes her own category on the patriotic spectrum, partly cloudy. This new section is for those with a healthy skepticism for their country and government. These people do not follow their county blindly, but provide an opinion to better help their nation as a whole. They also support their country not just when it’s doing well, but when it needs a helping hand. These traits describe “the partly cloudy patriot I long to be” (1060).

Where do you fall on the patriotic spectrum? Leave a comment down below!

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Hey everyone thanks for stopping by! On this blog you will find insightful literary analyses with a little touch of astrology. If you don't know what astrology is, it's the study of the stars and planets and their influence on human affairs. Astrology also embodies the 12 zodiac signs which include: Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Capricorn. Find our sign based on your birthday below!