What is the "One Story" Anyway?
I have decided the best way to start a blog of this sort is with the appropriate background information. Start by asking yourself a simple question: What do I know about Native Americans?
If you're anything like I was before beginning a course specializing in Native Americans, the answer to this question is probably "not a whole lot" whether you want to admit it or not. This is where the theme of the "one story" comes in. It's what a majority of us know; it's a story reinforced by our educational system, holidays like Thanksgiving and Columbus Day, and pop culture. We cannot necessarily blame ourselves for this ignorance, but we can seek change and enlightenment on the subject. So, what does this "one story" consist of, anyway?
Well, the answer is a combination of many things:
-Native Americans are no longer here; they were in the past, they had intriguing traditions, and they left behind some "cool" things (like beaded fanny packs available at your local Urban Outfitters).
TRUTH: Native Americans are still very much around in the United States today! They are people just like you and I working to make a living and raise families. True Native culture still exists, too, and things like beaded fanny packs from Urban Outfitters are mere mockeries of a resilient and beautiful culture.
-Native Americans all follow the same traditions, including language and beliefs.
TRUTH: There were over 500 tribes originally living and thriving in the U.S., with completely different languages and traditions. This being so, the tribes in America today are completely diverse.
-All Native Americans wear feathers, beads, and animal hyde.
TRUTH: Many of the outfits made of these elements are for traditional ceremonies or were just worn in the past. Natives are regular people that dress like anyone else.
-Native Americans are alcoholics.
TRUTH: Some Native Americans suffer from alcoholism, the same way some Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics struggle with alcoholism. Alcoholism is a disease that has nothing to do with the Native American ethnicity, and certainly does not characterize it.
The "one story" doesn't stop here at all, but this clears up a few all-too-common misconceptions about this culture. For a more extensive view of the "one story," I encourage you to watch the following video:
http://www.ted.com/talks/aaron_huey.html
Another great resource by the great Native American writer Vine Deloria, Jr. is "Indians Today, the Real and Unreal," part of his larger book Custer Died for Your Sins. In it, Deloria states,
"Our foremost plight is transparency. People can tell just by looking at us what we want, what should be done to help us, how we feel, and what a "real" Indian is really like... Unfulfilled expectations cause grief and we have already had our share."
I highly recommend this piece; it is an enlightening read. It is both informative and entertaining. The entire collection can be purchased on Amazon for a reasonable price here: http://www.amazon.com/Custer-Died-Your-Sins-Manifesto/dp/0806121297
The part of the "one story" that I am most passionate about breaking is the misconception that there are no more Native Americans in the U.S. today. Keep an eye out for my future posts dealing with this issue, specifically.
Information gathered from:
http://www.shadowwolf.org/misconceptions.html
