Stereotyping and American Indians
Stereotypes and Influence
Stereotypes, especially inaccurate ones, can be a negative influence on a child's cultural identity. The depictions of Indians as victims drunkards or savages causes Indian children to grow up thinking that they cannot accomplish anything. The depictions of Black people as "thugs", drug dealers or thieves causes Black children to grow up thinking that this is the only life that was given to them. The depictions of Hispanics as aggressive, gang members or lazy causes them to grow up believing that they are just dead-beats who are helpless. The depictions of Asians as sexual, bad drivers, and materialistic can cause Asian children to feel inadequate and senseless (The examples given here were 'bad' stereotypes, but when it comes to Asians, it's proof that even positive stereotypes can have negative influences).
Framing and Its Process
Framing is cognitive bias where people react to certain things in different ways depending on how they received it. It is the social construct of a social phenomenon. The process is essentially similar to agenda-setting theory where certain people in society place a focus of attention on something.
Frames for American Indians
"Natives were seen as “wild beasts” and “agents of the devil” who needed to be hunted down and killed or driven away. Nevertheless, Feagin judges white racism against African Americans as more harsh than against Native Americans, arguing that “whites have historically put more effort” into oppressing black people. He states: “While they have been the recurring targets of extreme white brutality and recurring genocide, Native Americans have not played as a central role in the internal socio-racial reality of the colonies or the United States as have African Americans.”"(American Indian Quarterly / Spring 2015 / Vol. 39, No. 2, p. 118)
Culture vs. Culture
It is not justifiable for a person from one culture to encourage a person from another culture to disregard their cultural values. One's culture is part of their identity. To disregard their culture is to disregard who they are as a person.
Ethnocentrism, Stereotyping, Prejudice, Discrimination, Racism, Tokenism
Personally, I've had a lot of experience in all the isms mentioned above. It's quite frustrating because you feel as if these things shouldn't happen, but it does. But I've realized that it does not affect me as much as it does if it happened to my parents. I would much rather have people act such a way to me than to do so to my parents. To see people act a certain way to my parents horrifies me and breaks my heart.
My parents are immigrants. My mom studied in England but she still looks and sounds Asian. My dad has lived in the U.S. for half of his life but he still looks and sounds Asian. My family have been U.S. citizens for over a decade and we still look and sound Asian. And just because we look and sound Asian, we get stereotyped and experience prejudice, discrimination, racism and tokenism.
When I was in high school and undergrad, I wasn't valedictorian. In fact, I wasn't even salutatorian. In undergraduate, I was in the top 5, but that's only because there were two people graduating in the Human Biology class of 2018. Did I get many comments about how I'm Asian and how I should have been number one and gone to medical school? Plenty.
My parents, my sister and I have higher car insurance rates than most people I know. And none of us have been at fault during accidents let alone have any major accidents. And none of us have had more than one traffic citation. I would also say that I am an impeccable parallel-parker. Still, our car insurance bill is ridiculous.
As a Christian, it shocks me even more when I receive any type of negative ism from other Christians. This past weekend, I was at New Life, a predominantly Black church. Not many people know that I am an Integrity director at the church. Being a director means that you're part of the New Life team. The team that meets for hours every week. The team that spends time and plays Escape Rooms together. Most of the time, I don't experience any negativity. But this past weekend, a participant didn't even want to hold my hand during prayer when we were prompted to by someone up front. And another participant just stared at me... Plainly stared at me, without any shame, rather with a piercing glare like "what is she doing here?"
My boyfriend is Black. And I love him so much. And because of him and his patience, I have been able to see a whole different side of racism that makes me question humanity. One day, someone had texted him saying, "hey man, I can't believe that a guy like you would be dating an Asian like her". Another day, someone else had said to his face, "you will not reach your potential as a Black man if you are with her."
Then there is also the fear that every time I say bye to him, I may not see him again. That every time I hear sirens and he just left, my heart stops and I frantically reach for the phone hoping that's not him. The fear that my future kids will not be accepted and loved for who they are but rather they will judged simply by the color of the skin of their parents.
When does it end?
While I wait for change, I can be a part of the change. I can be a diversity ally where I stand. I can love like Jesus loved. I can look at someone and learn to say "what happened to you?" rather than "what's wrong with you?".
References:
Dwanna L. Robertson. “Invisibility in the Color-Blind Era: Examining Legitimized Racism against Indigenous Peoples.” American Indian Quarterly, vol. 39, no. 2, 2015, pp. 113–153. JSTOR, JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5250/amerindiquar.39.2.0113
3 comments
Hi,
ReplyDeleteVery nice post. your final thoughts "While I wait for change, I can be a part of the change. I can be a diversity ally where I stand. I can love like Jesus loved. I can look at someone and learn to say "what happened to you?" rather than "what's wrong with you?". was inspiring. I agree and would like to lovingly add "what's your story" as another potential conversation starter. Whenever I think of you I think about telling a story! in a good way of course : )
Yvonna
Wow, thank you for sharing your perspective Chelsya! I can't believe someone would be that bold to unload such negativity, and they don't know who you are! We have a long way to go if we expect Christ to come and zap away racism and hatred with His divine power, that is most definitely not going to happen if we refuse to allow God to do His work in us! Racism is a sin, it has destroyed too much. I choose to be the change, I don't want any hatred anymore.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story Chelsya, it means so much. Keep sharing, the world needs to hear it!
Chelsya, like you, I have experienced the isms because of the color of my skin and my place of birth.Like your parents because of my accent, people treat me as "other". And like you, it saddens me and at times, angers me. You're right about being a diversity ally in order to be the change the world so desperately needs. Thanks for sharing. Very insightful.
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