Reference no: EM133921880
Assignment:
For full credit answers must be detailed and thoughtful. You must read BOTH chapters, watch the film, as well as listen to the NPR interview in order to answer the questions.
1. According to Native American writer Sherman Alexie, what are the traditional stereotypes pertaining to Native Americans and what do these stereotypes represent? How do these stereotypes compare to those portrayed in your textbook? Do Alexie and Oswalt seem to agree? Why or why not?
2. Before seeing Reel Injun, what was your image or idea of the American Indian? How did you develop that image? How does that image compare to the image Alexie portays in his interview?
3. How do Native Americans living in urban settings (and Alexie's other observations) contrast with the common American perception of Native Americans?
4. From Alexie's viewpoint, why is the idea that Native Americans are especially spiritual or close to the Earth untrue and so ridiculous? How does this compare to what you viewed in Reel Injuns?
5. How important is historical accuracy in films, television programs, and other media? Should filmmakers stick to the historical facts? What responsibility do they have to let audiences know if they have embellished the historical record?
6. What does Alexie mean by stating that he lives in the "white world"?
7. What does Alexie mean by stating that he "Loves being Indian American"? Why?
8. What does Alexie consider to be "the last fight in the colonial war"? Why do you think he saysthis? How does this statement connect to the concept of colonialism described in your textbook?Provide examples.
9. What stereotypes have you seen in the media (i.e., films, TV programs, video games, print media)? How are different ethnic or cultural groups portrayed? What about women? Gays and lesbians? Immigrants? How can we counteract attitudes and beliefs that reduce groups of people to stereotypes?
10. Pick any five (5) terms from pages 60-64 and define in your own words.