Native Media Stereotypes and the Essay

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On the other hand, their depiction as perpetual victims of racial violence tended to diminish the degree of true society and infrastructure that existed for these tribes, reducing them to lone individuals or small bands and the obvious underdog in a game of cat and mouse. Certain characters are also used to depict the stereotypical pride of the Native Americans, showing a willingness to die against all reason for a cause that was already lost. This is another romanticized vision of Native Americans that almost attempts to assuage the guilt of white oppression by making the sacrifices of the Native tribes seem almost willing and granting of a certain degree of nobility.

Northern Exposure

In the early 1990s, Northern Exposure was a very popular and rather unique show, providing comedy not in the standard sitcom-with-laugh track format, but through more dramatic and realistic explorations of an isolated town full of odd individuals in Alaska. In many ways, the representation of Native Americans in this show is far more realistic and authentic than in many other television programs, starting with the fact that actual Native actors were cast in Native roles. One regular role on the show is especially useful for exposing the various types of stereotypes that this show still perpetuates, despite its good intentions.

This character is a younger female, who serves as an assistant to the town doctor -- a young man from New York that is only here out of obligation. Her seeming unawareness of Western medicinal techniques and certain other cultural elements is used to mark her difference, as is her slow and deadpan delivery.

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These things contribute to make this character appear less than intelligent, which is perpetuating a strong negative stereotype that was heavily popularized and widely believed in the nineteenth century. This character is actually shown to be quite wise in a very simple and direct manner, however; she is completely unaware of her wisdom and unassuming in the way she shares it with others, and this matter-of-fact way of dealing with lie is a positive stereotype that exists about many Native cultures, though it still implies a lack of critical thinking responses and perhaps even capabilities. Finally, many of this character's actions and beliefs are made mystical in their presentation, hinting that the source of her wisdom is Native heritage that cannot be learned or shared, creating yet another layer of difference between the perceived different races.

Conclusion

To this day, Native Americans are portrayed in the popular media in a way that is at once uplifting yet entirely artificial. Though there are of course differences between Native and European-descended cultures, highlighting these differences as sharply as most media programs do only serves to create more of a sense of separation and division. Native Americans are alternatively portrayed as weak, proud, and mystical, evoking responses of pity, admiration, and wonder; true equality comes from feelings of connection that remain elusive......

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