A review by miocenemama
Genocide of the Mind: New Native American Writing by

5.0

This is a collection of essays and poetry dealing with modern Native experiences. This is an older book, but many of the concerns have changed little. While each essay approaches the subject from its own perspective, some common themes are the challenges of urban Natives, dealing with stereotypes, the tension between urban and reservation Natives, finding a positive Native self-image in a world that wants to deny your existence, and the struggle to maintain language and tradition. The US and Canada attempted to systematically take away Native languages and culture through the institution of boarding schools, laws forbidding or limiting Native languages and customs, and whitewashed history. Mascots perpetuating unflattering stereotypes and movies that diminish the role of Natives or portray them as blood-thirsty savages add to the problems. Even the Declaration of Independence contains the phrase "merciless Indian savages." Treaties have been repeatedly broken, and Natives have been subjected to relocation, forced sterilization, livestock reduction, and imprisonment. Genocide of the Mind is the erasure of a people through repeated attacks on culture and self-image. This book really hits home for me because of family members who have had to tell people that they still exist as Natives and are not extinct. Modern Natives are working at finding the bridge between their traditions and modern life that allows them to be part of both. I do not have the perspective to give their thoughts justice here, and Natives are individuals with individual experiences. Their way of life is not to be hijacked by Hollywood or New Age practices that perpetuate chosen stereotypes. This book gives voice to many of these perspectives