Hello all,
Hope you all had a good first week. This book is a very difficult read in the fact that it has many red flag warnings concerning the way Native Americans are depicted. I choose this book as example of a book that could be used in classroom but would need a lot of background knowledge for students, one would need to talk about perspective and how it effects a person's writing and thoughts, one would need to talk about stereotyping, and much more. One can see that this book has many flaws.
Assignment two will be two weeks long (Posts due on July 25). You will finish the book, answer the questions listed below and comment on others posts. Please be thoughtful in your answers. Again thank you for your support of the summer book club. Have a great couple of weeks. We will begin Jim Thorpe on July 26th.
Questions:
1. Should a white male outsider write a book about teenage Crow girls?
2. Did the author's depiction of life in a small town in Montana seem true (use personal knowledge)? Did the author's depiction of life on the reservation seem true or did it follow the usual stereo-type (in what ways)?
3. If you were a teacher or principal at a school in Big Horn County, what steps would you take to unite the two cultures in your school?
4. The author concludes the story by saying that "out here on the Little Big Horn there is no surrender." What does he mean? Do you agree?
5. What forms of racism did you encounter in this book and in life living in Montana?
6. Many Crow are upset with this book. Why do feel they would be? Please use your background knowledge and the Essential understandings as evidence?
7. Did the author betray the trust given to him by the people (Crow and non-native) of Big Horn County?
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I believe Larry Colton was an excellent choice to write this book. He didn't just swoop in during the girls' season and then leave. He spent 15 months living in Hardin, interacting with all the people living there, attending as many school and town functions as he could, and really getting to know the people he wrote about. Many authors would have left after the state tournament but Larry wanted to know how these girls coped after basketball. He was knowledgable about sports which was helpful in describing the games. Yes, not unlike most people, he had his opinions of how the games should be played and the rotation of the players. Being a male and dealing with mostly male athletes in his life, his eyes were clearly opened watching female high school athletes and how they acted and reacted in the various situations. I think his insight and persepctive as an outsider was well defined on pages 239-241 when he thought about the question Tiffany's and Anita's parents asked, "What is wrong with Saron?" Those reasons are too numerous to mention but you can read them again. To me, he really got to know not only Sharon but her family and many of the Hardin and reservation residents. Also, he didn't publish his book until a few years after he wrote it. I truly think he cared about what he wrote and the way the characters are portrayed.
ReplyDeleteI think a white male has a valid right to write this story. For one thing, nobody else thought Counting Coup was a story worth telling. It's an interesting one. Author, Larry Colton is not trying to out-local anyone, and yet he allows me to experience that community and the everyday rhythms, triumphs and challeges therein. Memoirs of a Geisha wasn't exactly written by a young Japanese woman, and yet it was a great read. Truly, if a young Crow athlete wants Colton to step aside she'll need to outwrite him. Colton would likely encourage her to bring it. With due respect, there is no generic storyteller.
ReplyDeleteMost of my life I have lived in small or medium sized towns in Montana. Some have been very close to reservations. I found many aspects of a small town were accurately depicted by the author. Teaching in a small town is the same. Everyone knows everyone, especially in a place like a local restaurant. Also, it seems that no one has secrets and no one is shy about expressing their opinions. In the book this was particulary true of Dannetta. She voiced her opinions often about the coach, the town politics, and the government. The expression "when the last one leaves town, turn out the lights" shows the support the local high school teams receive from the fans. Sharon's team rarely had a shortage of the Hardin faithful at their games. I have traveled through towns on reservations. I have seen a change. At one time several times the towns were very stereotypical, not unlike Hardin in the book. It was not unusual to see several abandoned vehicles in front yards, homes that needed repair, basketball hoops everywhere, and bars. I really think the towns' appearances are improving. The author described the poor looking exteriors and interiors of some of the homes. However, most of the characters did not seem ashamed of where and how they lived. So, yes, what the author desscribed in the book as to the life and appearance on the reservation supported my experiences.
ReplyDelete1. Should a white male outsider write a book about teenage Crow girls?
ReplyDelete~I think that it should be ok for anyone to write a story about anyone else, as our country offers freedom of speech. I do think it should be done only after gaining an abundance of background knowledge on the subject and the culture. Colton did this, and went beyond what other authors might do, giving up his personal life for a great deal of time to get to know these people and this small town and reservation. I didn’t get a feel for how well he knew them until the end of the book. I wish more had been shared about his personal conversations earlier in the book. I found myself wondering if he’d interviewed Sharon or was just guessing about some things. I now know that he talked to her intimately many times. I have mixed feelings about much of this, but to answer the question, yes. I think he is a good author, but I’m not sure if I agree with his methods of obtaining information from this young Crow girl.
2. Did the author’s depiction of life in a small town in Montana seem true (use personal knowledge)? Did the author’s depiction of life on the reservation seem true or did it follow the usual stereotype (in what ways)?
~ I think the author described small town life pretty accurately. In my experience living in a small town, everyone knows everyone else or thinks they do. Many also gossip, and even though they might not be correct about what is going on in the lives of others, they come to believe misinformation and pass it on as truth. I find small town life to be similar to a dysfunctional family. There is a lot of emotion. In many ways you think of your community as family, although family doesn’t always do what is best for each other. Colton is very descriptive and I did start to feel as if I knew these people as well. The relationships between the teenage girls seem very honest and true to life. Working as a teacher in a small town, I see these types of friendships/rivalries every day. As far as life on the reservation; that is harder for me to answer. I haven’t ever been on a reservation, so all I have to go on are the things that I have heard. If I go by that I’d say it was true to life, but all I seem to hear are the usual stereotypes. I’m sure many of those things are found in plenty on reservations and many small towns in general, but I wish Colton could have put a more positive spin on this. Maybe he could have sought to dispel some of these stereotypes, but then again, this book is from his perspective. It’s funny that he comes into town with these biases, but in the back of the book he states that he had no preconceived ideas about the Native American culture. He says that he was going to write about individuals and not the culture. I find it funny that he includes so many general comments from people about the alcoholism and money then. Those comments weren’t always about individuals he was writing about, but he included them anyway. I guess I feel the book was riddled with stereotypes, but having never been there, I’ll have to reserve judgment until I experience it myself.
3. If you were a teacher or principal at a school in Big Horn County, what steps would you take to unite the two cultures in your school?
ReplyDelete~ I have to say, this would be a monumental task. I think that no matter what you were to do, you’d be offending somebody. Nevertheless, an effort must be made. I think I would do my best to educate my students equally about both cultures, represent both cultures throughout the school, honor and celebrate important occasions from both cultures, and encourage both groups to realize that while they might be from separate cultures, we are all people and have much more in common than not. I would try to be fair and treat all of my students the same regardless of culture. I know that is difficult when there are such differences in the cultures and beliefs. Coach Mac was often in this position, like when she didn’t punish Sharon for being late or missing practice because it may have been due to Crow Fair. I have stated ideally what I would do, but I know that is easier said than done. As a principal (not the job for me) it would be my duty to make sure myself, teachers, coaches, and staff were all doing these things and being fair and equitable. I don’t think anyone could pay me enough to be the principal.
4. The author concludes the story by saying that “out here on the Little Big Horn, there is no surrender”. What does he mean? Do you agree?
~ I think he means that life there is difficult and that you can’t give up on yourself if you want to survive. You need to push through the difficulties to make a life for yourself. I think of Sharon, who made something of herself despite all of the obstacles. She came from a dysfunctional family where no one went on to college or bettered their lives. Her family supported her as long as she did what they wanted her to do. These were her role models. It would be easy to go through life like most of those around her did, and be content raising babies and answering to Randy to keep the peace. She didn’t surrender though, and managed to not give in. She was strong despite the odds and fought to better her life, even though her choice was not the popular one. I agree that ultimately, you need to look out for number one in order to be of any help to yourself, your family, or anyone else. I think this is true anywhere, but especially in an area where life is tough and opportunities are few.
5. What forms of racism did you encounter in this book and in life living in Montana?
ReplyDelete~ I think the forms of racism I encountered in the book are the same as those I encounter living life in Montana as a Caucasian. All of the stereotypes I hear were mentioned in the book. You get the picture of the “lazy Indian who lives off of government money and drinks all day”. That is what I meant earlier when I said I wish Colton could have put a more positive spin on things. I’m sure there are more success stories out there. I realize that this is not the book he was writing. The book is what it is, and there is more than one way to look at it. I do believe this form of racism will not diminish until a change of perspective and good education on culture takes place, which is exactly what we are trying to do.
6. Many Crows are upset with this book. Why do you feel they would be? Please use your background knowledge and the Essential Understandings as evidence.
~ I understand why so many Crows are upset with this book. I feel like he went in there, told them he was writing a book, got to know them well and was accepted as a friend, and then he betrayed them by not only telling the basketball story, but by airing their “dirty laundry”. I think there were many times where the Crow people confided in him, because they had come to trust him. I think they had no idea he would include some of this information in the book, and they were shocked when he did so. They are not always portrayed in a good light. I think they probably thought he would mention the good things because he cared about them. In the end, Sharon was even warned to stay away from him. I have friends (formerly so) that told others thing s I had told them in confidence, and I know how betrayed I felt; so much so that they are no longer a part of my life. Perhaps Colton didn’t let them know that “all bets were off” and that anything they said might wind up in the book. I think many of them were shocked and disappointed. He says it was unbiased and he knows this because he equally upset whites and Crows. I think he equally confused them because he formed these relationships built on trust and companionship, so those he had become close to never expected some of the conversations they shared with Colton would end up on the pages for everyone to read. I feel this all goes back to Essential Understanding number two: There is great diversity among individual American Indians as identity is developed, defined and redefined by entities, organizations and people. A continuum of Indian identity, unique to each individual, ranges from assimilated to traditional. There is no generic American Indian. I guess the part about the generic American Indian stands out to me. I would like to have seen more unique things about the Crow people shared in the book. I loved it when Nathan brought up the sense of humor. I’m sure there are many other qualities, like the strong family units he mentions that make the Crow unique that could have been worked in more.
7. Did the author betray the trust given to him by the people (Crow and Non-Native) of Big Horn County?
ReplyDelete~As I have stated in most of these questions, I do believe the author betrayed their trust. He states that he was unbiased because both groups were upset by the book. I’m not sure how intentional this was, but somewhat admits he betrayed trust in the epilogue. When he goes to see coach Mac he states, “I feel a bit like a traitor: this is the woman who afforded me almost total access to her team and trusted me with their story, then I wrote a book that is often critical of her.” He later states of Danetta and Blaine, “I feel a twinge of guilt in the same what I did back at Coach Mac’s. These are people who went out of their way to be hospitable to me, even adopting me into their family and tribe.” He goes on to say, “…it’s hard not to worry that they will think I have betrayed them.” Those statements tell me that he was determined to tell his story the way he saw it, even though he knew he might betray those relationships and hurt those he had become close to.
I live in a small town--part Mayberry, part Peighton Place. We all discuss the many kinds of truth just as if someone wanted to know what we think and feel. Small communities value people and need them to participate in keeping it going. If life turns sour, ultimately you have to face your community for support or validation. If success is experienced, all may claim responsibility and sweet enjoyment--just as families are inclined to do. I lack extended family in my Mayberry, and so it is bittersweet for me to instruct my children to go to the neighbor in case of emergency. If I am honest, my neighbors assume the role of aunt, uncle or grandparent by sheer day to day presence in my children's lives. They are therefore connected to the people of this place rather than the blood relatives scattered all over the map. Friends are family members we can choose. It's sort of tidy. I don't have to see or answer for unseemly family behavior, except in the case of my kids. I believe there are closer family ties among reservation families with a more implicit and worldly understanding of shouldering responsibility for nieces, nephews and grandchildren if needed. I'm not saying this doesn't happen outside the reservation, I'm saying the small town community has a tight and densely woven social fabric. I believe this to be the case, but don't know this from personal experience having never lived on or near a reservation. My dad does live in a reservation town. It is a resort area and he sadly pointed out recently, that the local Salish don't really get treated with much respect or benefit of the doubt by non Salish, and that they had a thing or two to teach the rest of us about enjoyment of close family relationships.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the next question goes regarding what I would do to foster understanding as an administrator, I'm ashamed to say, I didn't have an answer right away. There is much hashed out on the gym floor that can be played out in other areas of the school. Team-building activities might help in the classroom, yet heterogeny needs to be validated.
I agree with Jennifer on her comments about what to do in a school. With IEFA I feel Montana is on the right track to study the Indian culture and have non Indian students get a better understanding of their classmates. On the other hand, Indian students need to understand why and how the non Indians have these misconceptions and biases. It will take time but the administration must be behind any efforts.
ReplyDeleteI think Dori did an excellent job of answering question 4 about "no surrender". Sharon was an excellent example of not surrendering, pulling herself up, making something worthwhile of her life. Her mother Karna was not.
I think the author gave positive spins on some of the situations. He showed the side of Sharon not many see when he talked about her pushing a fellow classmate who was in a wheelchair to her next class without saying a word. This was a good example of Sharon's sensitivity to others. Sharon showed a respect for her culture and elders when she went through the ceremonies before her games. This is a stereotype about the younger generation. Too many times we hear they have no time and do not care about their culture. There were several stereotypes portrayed in the book but the author gave examples of them. He talked at length about spending allotment money, drinking, and violence.
I honestly don't know how to answer the question about betraying trust. Dori brought up some good examples about this. I think he tried to explain why he wrote the way he did. His main focus was to explain why Sharon was the way she was. It was not all rosy and positive.
Jennifer: I totally get what you are saying about your neighbors. Our one "family" neighbor moved and I miss her!!
ReplyDeleteVicki: Thank you for helping me find some more positives in the book. Your comments make me think. Once I found negatives, it became hard for me to read the book from any other perspective. I appreciate your thoughts!
An outsider is often the best choice to write a story, they look at something with a different perception and can often tell a more candid story. Colton did spend a long time in Hardin and got to know the people, it made it very difficult to tell the story as he saw it, he knew it would upset people. I'm not sure he broke anyone's trust, the subjects in the story knew he was there to write a book and if they
ReplyDeletewere concerned about how they may appear they could have behaved differently. I was surprised at some of the statements that people made to him knowing he could put them in print. Colton went to Hardin to find answers to a valid question- Why are these talented Indian basketball players not receiving scholarships and going on to college? This is an important question and a problem that still needs to be solved. Montana is working to solve the problem and I think some Universities are working to help Indian students transition, similar to programs that help inner city athletes succeed in college and in places that are very different from there home and the problems that come with it.
This story is not unique, there have been many stories told of talented basketball players that have to overcome difficult lives and often prejudice (The Heart of the Game, Hoop Dreams, On the Rez) some make it and some do not. It has always been frustrating to me that some kids have to work so much harder and overcome so much to be successful.
Question #1: Should a white male outsider write a book about teenage Crow girls?
ReplyDeleteI can see how many people would not find this question to be one of importance, but in Montana this book being written in the way it was would cause alarm among many communities in Montana. Montana is leading the way for educating all people about American Indians within the state and country. Montana hopes to educate its people about Montana Natives’ rich culture historically and presently.
With this said educators are being trained to recognize literature that would be identified as having an anti-American Indian bias. This book has many red flag warnings. It is written from a non-native perspective which according to Oyate should carefully be look at. Here are the questions Oyate poses about a non-native author: Is the background of the author and illustrator devoid of the qualities that enable them to write about Native peoples in an accurate, respectful manner? Is there an ethnocentric bias which leads to distortions or omissions? OR Is there anything in the author’s and illustrator’s background that qualifies them to write about Native peoples? Do their perspectives strengthen the work?
When looking at these questions I would say he is not qualified to write about the native perspective but is clearly capable of writing a story especially based on basketball. He would be considered an expert in knowledge about basketball, but not an expert on Crow people.
Question #2: Did the author's depiction of life in a small town in Montana seem true (use personal knowledge)? Did the author's depiction of life on the reservation seem true or did it follow the usual stereo-type (in what ways)?
ReplyDeleteI cannot speak much about the depiction of a small town that the author gave. I did not grow up in a small town. The only experience I have had with a small town is the town I teach in. I agree with the author that everyone knows everyone’s’ personal business. It seems to me that small towns are tight knit and have concern about what everyone is going through and feel it is important that they know what is happening with in the town.
As for the depiction that the author gave concerning life on a reservation I do believe that he used many typical stereotypes. He only spoke about a few families and did not give a broader picture of all the people only a few. This can led a reader to believe that all the Crow people were just like the families her focused on. I understand he was only dealing with a few families, but he could have shown that maybe all life on the reservation was not like the few he portrayed. He could have given a bigger picture within his small perception based on the team. I referred to Oyate a lot during this read because I had so many questions about how this book could be used in a classroom setting without building more on the stereotypes that some Montanans already have about Montana Natives. Here are the questions I look at:
1.) Are women completely subservient to men? Do they do all the work, while the men loll around, waiting for the next hunt? OR Are women portrayed as the integral and respected part of Native societies that they really are?
- I believe the author wrote about the women being subservient to men with Sharon’s family. This may be the way it is, but I believe he had a duty to show that all women from the Crow reservation were not like this.
2. 1) Is there anything in the story that would embarrass or hurt a Native child? OR Are there one or more positive role models with whom a Native child can identify?
- I bet some of this story would embarrass or hurt a young Crow Native.
3. 1) In modern times, are Indian people portrayed as childlike and helpless? Does a white authority figure – pastor, social worker, teacher- know better than Native people themselves what is “good for them?” Are Indian children “better off” away from their families? OR Are Native adults seen as mature individuals who work hard and make sacrifices, in order to take care of their families, and for the well-being of the people?
- There really are only a few adults who are shown as mature individuals in the book.
4. Do Native people and their communities contrast unfavourably with the “norm” of white middle-class suburbia? OR Are Native people and their communities seen as their own cultural norm?
These were the questions I believed really fit the story.
Question 3: If you were a teacher or principal at a school in Big Horn County, what steps would you take to unite the two cultures in your school?
ReplyDeleteThis question is a loaded one. There are so many things that teachers could have done to help unite the two cultures on the Crow reservation. As an educator you have a duty to teach all children in a meaningful way. I believe just from the story that many of the teachers were failing both cultures. The only way to accept one another is to create an understanding of each culture. This clearly was not being done. It seemed like a one sided education as it is in many cities across the United States. Teachers could have become involved in the community, worked with elders and the college, brought in native resources and used them along the curriculum resources, educated themselves about Crow culture and traditions, etc. It seems very clear and easy to me as an educator as to what one could have done. I might have a bias with this question because I have background knowledge, but I clearly have a want to learn new things and keep my students interested in learning.
Question #5: What forms of racism did you encounter in this book and in life living in Montana?
ReplyDeleteAs an educator I am amazed at the racism I have seen in the Bitterroot Valley. I have seen it from community members, students, faculty, and administration over the last five years. This has been alarming to me. I have always believed we are equal no matter where we come from. I did not grow up here or around reservations so it is hard for me to hear people be racist whether they mean to be or not. I do however believe that learning about each other is the best way to help someone see another person’s perspective.
This book seem to so the racism among the community clearly, but was the author clearly showing the community? This question still sits with me. It is hard to say not having been to the Crow Reservation.
Question #6: Many Crow are upset with this book. Why do feel they would be? Please use your background knowledge and the Essential understandings as evidence?
ReplyDeleteI can understand why the Crow people might be upset over this story. The author states that he believed he would be breaking the trust of the community that might be the one of many reasons why the community would be upset. If you know that you are breaking trust of people you care about, wouldn’t a person ask how this might betray them? If one can answer this, then that person should figure out a way to correct it. His portrayal of the Crow was not a very kind one, nor was the portrayal of the white community members. I wonder if he portrayed them accurately.
Looking at Essential Understanding number six: History is a story most often related through the subjective experience of the teller. With the inclusion of more and varied voices, histories are being rediscovered and revised. History told from an Indian perspective frequently conflicts with the stories mainstream historians tell.
I believe this one fits. The author is not writing about history, but present day and it is told from his perspective which will be much different than a Crow perspective. Basketball is very important to the Crow people and maybe the author should have co-wrote the book with a Crow Native or worked with elders to bring an accurate portrayal of the Crow people.
Question # 7: Did the author betray the trust given to him by the people (Crow and non-native) of Big Horn County?
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though the author did betray is friends on the Crow Reservation and the community. He states in the epilogue that he ultimately did break the tie with his friends and the community. The author was adopted by the tribe and he did not even think to consult with the tribe as he was writing the book, nor did he ask them to read the book before it was published. The author knew he had written material that could tear the community apart. He has no ties to the community any longer because he shamed the Crow. The story was compelling, but really lacks the background knowledge and perspective I would expect from a book like this.
Interesting comments! I just finished the book and am struck by how many questions it raises. Re: No surrender in Bighorn Country, I am reminded of a painting in the Missoula Federal Building of a herd of elk slogging through several feet of snow in winter. The clear choice is to keep going. It is a powerful, in-your-face statement. I wish Sharon could have continued her athletic career as a means to an end-the college degree. But she did well when she made academics her goal. We see foreshadowing that Sharon wanted love in her life, and I am kind of not surprised she became a mom-many of us have shared and can relate to that drive. Parenthood certainly imposes it's own routine, humility and source of profound love--the unvarnished reward for perserverence. Sharon is poised to make a difference in her tribe. Colton's ending where he sees a new young athlete on the court proves she has already
ReplyDeleteset the tone.
Re: racism. Yes, lots of it. Billings Central's gym crowd was so depressing. Many of Colton's verbatim quotes from locals were damning. The evidence cited by Janine Pease Windy Boy (my new hero, by the way) in her lawsuit was compelling. I think we have all cringed over things we've heard our students say, particularly in the last presidential election. Racism is alive in our little remote island of a school. It makes the work of IEFA prescient.
Re: Crow reaction and betrayal of privacy. I'm guessing it must be difficult to have a mirror held up that isn't always flattering. I'm also guessing that things said in confidence were repeated in a context chosen only by the author. I've recently heard from an insider our own county government is a rapidly sinking ship-so I don't think the machinations of the tribal council are unique in their dysfunction. It's hard to put a positive spin on a long story like Counting Coup, when Colton's natural instinct is to sniff out the dirt. I feel sorry for the players that were fairly roundly criticized by the author. It would be hard to get over those things once seen in print for all eternity. I thing he should have remembered the vulnerability of the young women he wrote about. He was awed by Sharon, but I feel like his story was a sort of Dutch Door where only one half was opened at a time. I'm glad I read it, though.
Jennifer: Interesting comparisons to our government. Food for thought!!
ReplyDeleteKim: You raised some more good questions. I wasn't really examining the role of Indian women in the family while I was reading this book, but in retrospect, I don't feel their role was portrayed as being strong. It didn't seem to be well defined (in my mind). I didn't really sense the respect; that is for sure.
I believe a white male outsider should be able to write a book about teenage Crow girls. It would be interesting to compare the same story written by a Crow member, either sex, to that of Larry Colton. The author’s profession as a sports writer does give him some credentials to pen the story.
ReplyDeleteThe author’s depiction of life in this particular small town in Montana seemed true to me. Towns that are near reservations and serve alcohol can be a magnet for substance abuse among Native Americans that live on dry reservations. Living in Flagstaff, Arizona which is somewhat surrounded by reservations showed me a cycle of substance abuse among Native Americans. I managed a pizza/beer joint in downtown and spent a lot of time cutting off/removing drunk Indians from the establishment. The pattern I witnessed was one where Indians would come into town for some type of business and start drinking. It could be a couple days to a couple weeks, or longer, before they would sober up and eventually head back to the rez. Most of them survived, but during their stupor, they were a mess. It was common to walk around passed out Indians in downtown Flagstaff during those times. Teaching near the Yavapai/Apache reservation also awakened me to horrific abuse among members of that tribe. While the percentages might not be as high as natives, I also have witnessed alcohol/substance/physical abuse among many whites right here in the Bitterroot. I think these types of addictions and abuses cut across ethnic lines and occur all over the world. While one can make the case the author’s depiction of life did follow the usual stereotype, I thought he did a good job of including comments from both natives and non-natives living in the community that supports this stereotype. The resentment of natives and non natives from “the other side” throughout the book reaffirms to me that these stereotypes are alive and well in similar small towns across Montana and the nation. Some of the statistics he refers to regarding graduation rates, abuse, etc. and my knowledge from reports, newspapers, etc. also reaffirms this stereotype.
Steps I think might help unite the two cultures in a school setting similar the Hardin involve making the administration/staff more representative of the schools population. Since the make-up is about 50/50, the staff should be as well. Once I had such a staff, I would put together a climate committee and have them put together an improvement plan and implement it. With a living document such as this and a representative staff, I would then make sure the rules are enforced evenly. It’s obvious a double standard exists at Hardin HS and throughout Big Horn Country and this does not help unite the cultures.
I think the author means that with all the obstacles and history of living on the reservation, the Crow are a strong people and when their backs are up against a wall, they come out fighting for what they think is right. I agree that recent history has given them a bad hand and they do what they need to survive. It seems that everyone in Sharon’s family has struggled at different points in their lives and have not given up. They have not surrendered and have counted these victories over overwhelming odds as their coups.
ReplyDeleteThe overriding theme of racism appears to me to be that of white s against Indians for what they feel is an injustice to them. Many whites appear hostile or upset towards the natives for what they perceive as unequal treatment as it relates to the benefits Indians enjoy compared to them. This perception is shared by the girls on the team as well as their parents and surrounding communities. From the rude remarks fans yell at the games to the author’s choice of words to describe the settings, racism is sprinkled throughout the book. There seems to be some forms of racism on the natives’ side in this book as well. The use of the word nigger on Dannetta’s part and other’s crying foul if they do not get what they think is legitimly theirs shows racism. I do not encounter racism living where I do in Montana.
I think many Crows might be upset with this book because it sheds light on some of their shortcomings, especially as it pertains to their addictions and abuses of family members
I’m not sure the author betrayed the trust of the people of Big Horn Country. This is mainly because I’m not sure how forthright he was when he explained what he was going to write about.
Jennifer’s comment on our county government as a sinking ship reminded me of the cyclic nature of things. The fights at the tribal government meetings and the politics of the rez were enlightening. Janine Pease Windy Boy also did not surrender on her decision to remove a teacher and put the whole college in jeopardy. Her determination to better educate her people is noteworthy and I enjoyed reading and getting to know her a little better in this book. I have followed her in the papers and think she exemplifies how strong a native woman can be. My observations of the Navajo people long ago led me to believe they wear the pants of the family there. I am reminded of a Navajo women who was so upset with her drunk husband she literally took of his pants behind our restaurant and told him he better be home (a long trip to navigate with a weeklong hangover) in a couple days sober or never return. He made it and later when I went to her home to pick up a Navajo rug she was making for me, I could tell she ruled the roost and everyone looked to her for guidance. Kim’s comment about showing not all women are subservient to men is valid. I agree. It would have been nice to see more of that. I think Dannetta was a strong women as was her other daughter, taking care of Sharon and her own family. Native women (and all women) are strong in my mind and like Vicki said Colton waited a couple years to publish his book and let us know that the girls all survived and were doing as well as could be expected. It was nice he put a follow up in the book.
ReplyDelete1. Should a white male outsider write a book about teenage Crow girls?
ReplyDeleteI don’t see the problem with getting an outsider’s perspective on a topic. Why SHOULDN’T he be able to write about them? He certainly put in his time and did his research.
2. Did the author's depiction of life in a small town in Montana seem true (use personal knowledge)? Did the author's depiction of life on the reservation seem true or did it follow the usual stereo-type (in what ways)?
I think so. Although I haven’t lived in that small of a town I can see some similarities in the way that everyone is in each other’s business. It seemed to me that his depiction of life on the reservation was accurate because he was writing about what he experienced and witnessed. In the same vein I think it also followed the usual stereotype of what life on the reservation is like, especially when he referred to the junk lying around Danetta’s property and the abundance of alcoholism in Crow Agency.
3. If you were a teacher or principal at a school in Big Horn County, what steps would you take to unite the two cultures in your school?
I would definitely incorporate lessons that taught about Crow and white, non-Crow cultures. These lessons would include open discussions, presentations, hands-on projects, and field trips and would certainly delve into stereotypes and misconceptions faced by both cultures in Big Horn County.
4. The author concludes the story by saying that "out here on the Little Big Horn there is no surrender." What does he mean? Do you agree?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dori when she said that you can’t give up on yourself if you want to survive. I think life is tough and there are so many obstacles that these people have to face not only because they are essentially in the middle of nowhere but because there is such a visible cultural rift in Big Horn County.
5. What forms of racism did you encounter in this book and in life living in Montana?
The forms of racism I encountered in this book were sadly the typical racist comments and beliefs I have heard many people express about Native Americans. These stereotypes have been present as far back as I can remember. I often think that those persons who make comments that ARE racist don’t often realize it because it has been “common understanding” that Native Americans are the way they are. I think, as educators, it’s important for us to shine a truthful and positive light on the Native American people and try to steer future generations away from such negative beliefs.
6. Many Crow are upset with this book. Why do feel they would be? Please use your background knowledge and the Essential understandings as evidence?
I can understand why many Crows are upset with this book. Yes, he went in to write a book, do some interviews, and get to know the people he was writing about. However, he built relationships with them that went beyond the typical interviewer/interviewee relationship. He built trust and friendships and bonded with so many of the people he met along the way that I think he betrayed their trust when he shared so many raw and intimate details about their lives. I get that Colton had to paint a picture of the “characters” in his book, but I think he could have been sensitive to them and still have written an excellent story.
7. Did the author betray the trust given to him by the people (Crow and non-native) of Big Horn County?
As I mentioned in question #6, yes. I think he betrayed the trust of all of the people of Big Horn County. He seemed to want to expose the darker sides of these people and forced me, as the reader, to have to look deeper and harder for the positive sides of this community.
Sorry about the late post. I was in Alaska on a little vacation and didn’t have internet access
ReplyDelete1. Colton without doubt had the right to write this book. He spent time living among these people and has a story to tell. Freedom of press is one of our amendments. We also have the freedom to close the book and not continue to read it if it is offensive to us.
3, If I taught in Big Horn County I suppose I would focus on broadening my students understanding of each culture in hopes that a greater understanding would foster a greater appreciation of each other. I think it’s important to teach kids that we are similar and all want to be treated kindly and spend our school day in an environment that is excepting and celebrates our diversity.
4. I think when Colton said there is no surrender on the Little Big Horn he meant his characters didn’t roll over in the face of adversity. Things were hard for Sharon , but she didn’t give in. She earned her degree, became a good parent, in spite of a rather questionable upbringing. I don’t know if I agree with his comment , that is life on the Little Big Horn, but appears it was Sharon’s life.
5. I saw racism among the girls on the team as well as the parents. Seemed to be one of the Crow against the whites and whites against Crows. Like Jennifer said our classroom and schools are alive with racism. I don’t hear it in my private life away from school, but in our hallways and classrooms it’s very prevalent.
6. The story doesn’t portray them in a positive light. It tells a story of a few characters who struggle and not the whole community. Hopefully people who read this book realize this is a story not a historical piece.
7. They knew he was writing a book. They welcomed him into their homes and lives. I am certain some of what he said hurt, but censorship isn’t part of our freedom of press. This is a story about a few families not a culture.
I think the author portrayed the problems with small town life fairly accurately. It can be difficult living in a community where many people think they know you and feel that it is acceptable to comment and pass judgment. Small communities can also be amazing when they pull together and support a family or issue of importance.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think the author portrayed reservation life accurately but I do think he described Sharon’s life accurately. I know there are problems with alcoholism, poverty and dysfunctional families on the reservation and I think Colton was uncomfortable with the stereotypes of the Crow people that his book was perpetuating but could not tell his story without them. He shared his own difficulties with alcohol to remind the reader that these aren’t problems that are unique to Native Americans. Colton shared his positive impressions of the Crow dancer and included Janine Pease Windy Boy, a strong Crow woman, in the story. This information was not necessary to his story but it helped the reader see another aspect of Crow life.
Nathan’s comments about living near a reservation in Arizona were interesting and reminded me of a statement Colton made in the beginning of the story. He was describing what he was seeing in Hardin and noted that perceptions of Indians were not changing because the stereotypical Indians were the most visible. I think our job as educators is too make sure that our students see the Indians that are not visible to most people to change their perceptions.
One of the most difficult things as a teacher is to try to change a belief system. When children hear racist and stereotypical comments from their family they believe it to be true. I think it is important to help students develop an understanding of other cultures, I liked Sue’s comments about pointing out the similarities and celebrating the diversity as well as the importance of feeling safe at school. If this starts at an early age it may help combat what they hear outside of school.
Many of the characters in Counting Coup (Sharon, Coach Mac, Janine Pease Windy Boy, Amylynn Adams) had to face challenges and chose to fight instead of “surrender”. Why do some succeed against all odds while others who seemingly have it easy fail? Not giving up in the face of adversity is a quality we all should have; many on the Little Big Horn fought while others (like Sharon’s mom) did not.
ReplyDeleteWhile living in Montana I have heard all of the stereotypes about Native Americans that were shared in this book. They are much more prevalent in Eastern Montana near some of the reservations. My father shares some of the stereotypes but unfortunately he has only seen Indians driving down the dirt road back to the reservation throwing beer cans out the window and often wrecking while drinking and driving; I know these are not the only Native Americans that drive down his road but unfortunately, as Colton pointed out, these are the ones he sees. I took him to a small powwow to help him see the Indians in a different perspective, it did start on “Crow time”, we waited a few hours for the Grand Entrance but he did meet some very nice people while we were there and was impressed with the dancers and their regalia. In Victor, we are lucky to have a powwow in our community, I have seen a change in our students while attending, they seem to have a better understanding and respect for the event every year.
I can understand why many Crow people would be upset by the book, it does not portray them in a positive light. It also does not portray many of the whites in Hardin positively either. It is important to remember that this is a story of a girl who has a great talent but a difficult life because of her dysfunctional, but supportive, family and the problems of racism she faces everyday in her life.
Kim-I think students might empathize with Sharon and the unfair hand she has been dealt and they may also see some similarities with problems in their own families. If the stereotypes are pointed out and an effort is made to discuss how true they are or not it may help them think about how they perceive others and encourage them to rethink things they “know” about other cultures and more importantly help them become aware the affect these biases have on the real people that have to live with them.
I enjoy reading everyone's views of the book. It seemed like there was a good with similiar views and other with similiar views.
ReplyDeleteTracy,
I enjoyed that you shared your personal story and you pointed out a great point that he was giving Sharon's side, but really might not have gave an accurate view of the Crow Reservation.
I do believe that you might have miss understood me in the blog session. I do believe the book is a book that can point out a lot for stduents. We have one teacher who is going to use this book next year and work on things you pointed out, as well as, possibly work with a reservation school on a project that ties into the book. I believe this is a great book for learning about perspective, stereotypes, and relating to others. I believe our students can relate to a book like this. There will be a lot of prep work to go with this book.
Sorry for so many errors!
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