During this week we have been discussing the book, Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians but Were Afraid to Ask, by Anton Treuer. This book has a very interesting objective to try and resolve any stereotypes that people may have on American Indians. My last reading was detailing the coming-of-age ceremonies for the females in the tribes. To provide background information, a native girl who is in the process of becoming a women (menstruation) is viewed as a women gaining power through her body. The ability to give birth is viewed as a power, or significant achievement.
However, in the american culture we view women coming-to-age as a variable item that “depends on the person”, but in the Native culture there is a fixed definition. This could also be viewed as people holding bias that a younger female is often seen as powerless, but in reality she is beholding more power.
mikerose June 14, 2018
Caleb,
I also found this very intersting but at the same time pretty cool. Our society really almost disrespects women when they go through menstruation. You will hear a lot if a girl is moody that, “Oh she is probably on her period.” Which to me is honestly pretty sad that our society is like this. I really agree with the Native Americans on this topic because it really could be a time to almost “honor” women for helping us bring people into this world. This is also very interesting because I don’t think I have heard of this in any other culture.
tkyle June 14, 2018
This section of the book caught my eye also. I really agree with your comparison to the “American way” when it comes to the coming-to-age spectrum. The way the American women are treated throughout this stage of their lives doesn’t seem morally correct. These young women take on that responsibility even earlier and should be viewed as more powerful because going through that process is a tough task. Additionally, they are doing so with an under-matured mind. American women like that should be looked up to and admired as they are among the American Indian tribes. Prospering in the pregnancy factor of it shows that these young laides are strong and have to grow faster to accommodate for themselves and another.
seanjr81 June 14, 2018
Caleb,
I agree with this statement all the way, in today’s society women aren’t treated with respect especially within our blacks and whites. In the news and sports constant disgrace or mistreat about them is all you hear about now, I’ve never heard much about the Indian culture being treated in mistreat as I grew up so all of this is new to me and attention grabbing. When a female is going through the stages of becoming a woman the last thing she needs is a young man bringing her down by using the common phrase of ” oh she must be on her period”. Males become irritated just as females do but never do you hear anyone say to the male ” oh you must be on your period” so what makes it okay for guys to say that to women.