Although, recent textbooks might have succeeded in improving the image of Native Americans, the historical stereotype of them being "primitive" and "savage" is still deeply rooted in the overall American society. It is so ironical how Europeans who are considered to be "civilized" used savage violence in order to conquer "primitive" Indians.
Even today, Native Indians suffer from racism. It is not a racism that involves violence; however, it is a unique type of racism that is all about their disappearance from the modern world. Most people relate racism with black people being discriminated. Frankly speaking, I also thought that way. The reading about Indian slavery was totally a new fact for me. African slavery receives so much attention, and high schools tend to employ materials related to it. I remember spending so many class hours watching the famous TV miniseries "Roots" in history class in high school (Totally heart moving so people should watch it if they haven't), but my classes never mentioned anything about Indians being enslaved. Moreover, last mentions of the Native Americans in textbooks probably comes along with the closing of the frontier and things related to New Deal. No one knows what happened to them after that. The Native Americans are completely gone in this modern world. Therefore, the evil image of them continues to be passed down through history. I strongly believe that a remedy to this problem is needed.
The third quote that is introduced in this chapter grabbed my attention and closely depicts their present situation.
"There is no one Indian in the whole of this country who does not cringe in anguish and frustration because of these textbooks. There is not one Indian child who has not come home in shame and tears"-Rupert Costo
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