Thursday, 20 September: American Indian Minority vs. the immigrant narrative. Leslie Marmon Silko, “The Man to Send Rain Clouds” (IA 205-209); Louise Erdrich, "American Horse" (IA 210-220); Mei Mei Evans, “Gussuk” (IA 237-251)

Objective 3 -- How does the minority narrative differ from the immigrant narrative?

¨      The title (and first three lines) states Chrystos and his family have not signed up with the government of the United States, and do not recognize it as an authority

“We don’t recognize these names”

“crazy person”

¨      The author does not buy into the “American Dream”. Instead, she calls the United States a nightmare

“lousy food     ugly clothes    bad meat”

               and just wants this entity to go away

                        “Pack up your toys    garbage    lies”

¨      Her family did not wish to immigrate to the United States--they were here before the current Dominant Culture had even arrived

               “Go somewhere else and build a McDonald’s”

¨      She calls the members of the dominant society immigrants, and tells them to go home because they are not wanted—the opposite view of the immigrant narrative

¨      Chrystos rejects “assimilation soap suds” and refuses to conform because she sees value in his own culture and traditions, with no reason to leave them behind

¨      Chrystos makes it clear that she believes everything the United States does is bad, and wants the whole experience to disappear and the memory to fade

“Take these words back with you”

This poem, written by a Native American, showcases the differences between an immigrant’s optimistic views of the United States and the sometimes cynical views of the minority population.

What other references are there to the minority narrative?