In "Playing Indian," Philip J. Deloria brings up an interesting point regarding the paradoxical nature of the American view on Native Americans. He uses the term “noble savagery” to describe that Americans have “an urge to idealize and desire Indians” as well as “a need to despise and dispossess them.” During the Boston Tea Party, Americans dressed up in Indian dress to embody values of freedom and originality in defiance to Great Britain. However, Americans have also slaughtered Native Americans at Sand Creek Massacre and forced them to move onto reservations. Throughout history, American events and policies have shown contradictory stances towards Native Americans.
Even today, this term of noble savagery is applicable-- mascots and logos of Native Americans are often used in a stereotypical way that downplays and masks the historic discrimination they have faced. To what extent have our views on Native Americans changed over time? Are Americans genuinely respecting and appreciating Native American culture, or just idealizing and exploiting Native imagery?
Even today, this term of noble savagery is applicable-- mascots and logos of Native Americans are often used in a stereotypical way that downplays and masks the historic discrimination they have faced. To what extent have our views on Native Americans changed over time? Are Americans genuinely respecting and appreciating Native American culture, or just idealizing and exploiting Native imagery?