INTRODUCTION

I don’t even like tobacco chew. So why I did I find myself in the middle of the woods on a cold November evening with half a pack of Redman chew in the side of my mouth? I never gave this much thought, even though I have never been a tobacco-user in my life, except for rare occasions like this one. Something about the Redman chew, with its depiction of an all-knowing Indian chief on the front brings out something rustic in even the most civilized city boy. There was just something that seemed RIGHT about Redman chew in the woods, like you can’t have one without the other. Would I ever even think of putting that stuff in my mouth while at home, within the confines of “civilization”?

Before this year began I would never have given a second thought to this action, or the few others that are similar. Instead of analyzing my actions, I simply accepted them as normal. But after this course, I wonder to myself: “Why do I dip Redman chew, and no other, in the woods?” Simply because I -like everyone else- have fallen victim to the marketing siege that exploits Indians to turn a quick buck. Those who argue otherwise, and say that by placing an Indian “chief” or woman on their product is honoring the Indian race, is sadly mistaken. To honor a race is very noble, and truly the Indian race is very deserving. But in the same way, couldn’t one argue that the Jewish culture was worthy of such an “honor” due to the atrocities of the Holocaust? Yet no spreadable butter exists with Anne Frank’s face, or a sports team called the New Jersey Jews.

With images such as the Land O’Lakes lady staring at me in the face from my early childhood on, I have never paid much attention to the true history of the American Indians. Therefore when I signed up for Rhetoric 309K, I did it simply to fill a requirement, not because I was interested in the material. Unfortunately, I think this is the case for many high school and college students. Few get the opportunity to dispel the myths and stereotypes that are perpetuated by today’s marketplace. Quite simply, what I have learned most from this course is that American Indians are human beings, viable parts of today’s society that are often thought of as extinct.

Growing up and attending school I heard about racism that existed in this country, mostly during history class lectures on the Civil War. But racism is mostly taught to be a thing of the past, and only associated with African-Americans. Therefore it was shocking for me to hear those who used the term racism in reference to other minority cultures. "The Washington Redskins are racist against Indians? But they're not black!"

With an upbringing surrounded by racism towards, and stereotypes of Native Americans, imagine how eye-opening it must have been to take this course.

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Indians, or The Struggle for Justice in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Links to Class Discussion Forums

American Identity Forum

Indian Imagery in Sports