"All the real Indians died off" : and 20 other myths about Native Americans / Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz and Dina Gilio-Whitaker.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Dunbar-Ortiz, Roxanne, 1938- author.

Gilio-Whitaker, Dina, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Indians of North America--Historiography.

Indians of North America.

Physical Description:

xi, 208 pages ; 22 cm

Place of Publication:

Boston : Beacon Press, [2016]

Summary:

Unpacks the twenty-one most common myths and misconceptions about Native Americans In this enlightening book, scholars and activists Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz and Dina Gilio-Whitaker tackle a wide range of myths about Native American culture and history that have misinformed generations. Tracing how these ideas evolved, and drawing from history, the authors disrupt long-held and enduring myths such as-"Columbus Discovered America""Thanksgiving Proves the Indians Welcomed Pilgrims""Indians Were Savage and Warlike""Europeans Brought Civilization to Backward Indians""The United States Did Not Have a Policy of Genocide""Sports Mascots Honor Native Americans""Most Indians Are on Government Welfare""Indian Casinos Make Them All Rich""Indians Are Naturally Predisposed to Alcohol"Each chapter deftly shows how these myths are rooted in the fears and prejudice of European settlers and in the larger political agendas of a settler state aimed at acquiring Indigenous land and tied to narratives of erasure and disappearance. Accessibly written and revelatory, "All the Real Indians Died Off" challenges readers to rethink what they have been taught about Native Americans and history.

Contents:

All the real Indians died off

Indians were the first immigrants to the western hemisphere

Columbus discovered America

Thanksgiving proves the Indians welcomed the pilgrims

Indians were savage and warlike

Indians should move on and forget the past

Europeans brought civilization to the backward Indians

The United States did not have a policy of genocide

US presidents were benevolent or at least fair-minded toward Indians

The only real Indians are full-bloods, and they are dying off

The United States gave Indians their reservations

Indians are wards of the state

Sports mascots honor Native Americans

Native American culture belongs to all Americans

Most Indians are on government welfare

Indian casinos make them all rich

Indians are anti-science

Indians are naturally predisposed to alcoholism

What's the problem with thinking of Indian women as princesses or squaws?

Native Americans can't agree on what to be called

Indians are victims and deserve our sympathy.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 181-208).

ISBN:

9780807062654

0807062650

9780807062661

0807062669

OCLC:

934676611