Joseph Bruchac Speaks Out About Native American Stereotyping in Literature at the CBC Diversity Blog
January 16, 2013
How much do we know about true Native American culture? According to storyteller Joseph Bruchac, not much. He has written a post for the CBC Diversity blog called, "Not Injun Joe," to discuss Native American stereotyping in literature.
"No group in American culture has been more stereotyped than Native Americans. While other ethnic stereotypes now meet with disapproval, harmful images of native people are still accepted or defended within majority culture, even when Native Americans complain. There are images and characters in books and other media, expressions in current usage, the naming of places and sports teams, and negative expectations about the behavior of Native Americans. It is so pervasive that non-natives often don’t realize they’re saying or doing things hurtful to Native Americans. (And when it is pointed out, the response is often disbelief or denial.)"