Problem
YouTube clip How Hollywood Stereotyped Native Americans
Many Americans today have never met someone who is Native American and neverbeen to a reservation. Their knowledge about native people comes from TV and movies. How are natives portrayed in Westerns?
Based on the movie scenes, what is it that makes Native Americans so violent? Chose three specific scenes to make your case. (Note women and children)
Were native people really as violent and primitive as portrayed in Hollywood movies? (Use counter-evidence from lecture) What happened to native Americans based on such views in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries?
Compare this to New Zealand. In the first clip, you see New Zealanders of European ancestry perform a traditional war dance. Is this a respectful portrayal of native culture?
How about the second clip, the Haka versus France. Who, do you think, designed the dance? Is it a respectful treatment of native culture? What does it mean that all New Zealanders today perform this dance before games of the national rugby team, not just natives?