Why is a “smart Indian” dangerous? Dangerous to whom?
A “smart Indian” is dangerous because they aren’t expected to be successful. They’re expected to be stupid. They’re widely feared and ridiculed by Indians and non-Indians alike. Most lived up to expectation of being stupid, but showed signs of intelligence at home, such as being able to remember a dozen or so songs. I also think that maybe Indian kids were scared of non-Indian teachers, and that is why they hid the fact that they were smart.
The “smart Indian” is dangerous to Indians and non-Indians alike. I think it’s because some might feel intimidated by a “smart Indian” because it wasn’t the norm for an Indian child in school. They were expected to fail in the non-Indian world. Those who failed where ceremonially accepted by other Indians and appropriately pitied by non-Indians. They were feared for who they were and what they were capable of. They were most dangerous who didn’t expect what they were able of conquered in the class room and in the non-Indian world.
I'm glad you choose this question, because I found myself not able to find a real answer without babbling with all the "well I mean's"... I understand your point, but still am not able to think of what the "smart indian" is capable of doing that is so feared!
ReplyDeleteHi Samantha,
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think the children hid their intelligence? Is it that they didn't want to bring attention to themselves? Is it because their kinds of intelligence wasn't valued in the classroom?
Why are they ridiculed? Why isn't intelligence valued? What power do the stereotypes have to exact social control? What do you think?
Take care,
Lauren
Having problem with simple vocabulary but remembering dozens of songs; by this writer believed that the children in his reservation was capable but just bound by the trend of thought that they are not smart enough to be educated. Since they feel uneasy they tend to avoid the non-Indian teachers. About this question, I think smart Indian is dangerous to the trend of thinking themselves inferior in education and change
ReplyDeleteSujan.
I'm glad we were on the same page with this question. I kind of did the same thing of just not really having a BIG answer either. Its just like any race can be smart and any person of any race that is smart can be dangerous.
ReplyDelete