Dancing with the Indians is a phrase that refers to the cultural exchange that occurs when non-Indigenous people participate in Native American dance and cultural practices. This can be a controversial topic, as some people argue that it is a form of cultural appropriation and disrespect, while others argue that it is a way to honor and respect Indigenous cultures.
One of the main arguments against dancing with the Indians is that it can be seen as a form of cultural appropriation. This is the act of taking elements of a culture, such as rituals, customs, or artifacts, and using them for one's own purposes without permission or understanding of their significance. When non-Indigenous people participate in Native American dance and cultural practices without proper understanding or appreciation of their cultural significance, it can be seen as a form of disrespect and exploitation.
However, others argue that dancing with the Indians can be a way to honor and respect Indigenous cultures. When done with the guidance and permission of Indigenous people, and with a genuine desire to learn and understand the cultural significance of the dances and practices, it can be seen as a way to show appreciation and support for Indigenous cultures.
Ultimately, whether or not dancing with the Indians is appropriate depends on the context and the intentions of the people involved. It is important to approach Indigenous cultures with sensitivity and respect, and to seek out opportunities to learn and understand their significance rather than simply appropriating them for one's own purposes.
In conclusion, dancing with the Indians can be a controversial topic, with some people arguing that it is a form of cultural appropriation and disrespect, and others arguing that it is a way to honor and respect Indigenous cultures. It is important to approach Indigenous cultures with sensitivity and respect, and to seek out opportunities to learn and understand their significance rather than simply appropriating them for one's own purposes.
Dancing With the Indians (July 2003 edition)
A fine addition to the multicultural scene. Bradby's fine first book is tautly written, with a poetic, spiritual quality in every line. Washington's life, leaving readers to piece together his identity. . Traveling with their parents in a horse-drawn wagon to pay their annual visit to the Oklahoma Seminoles, a boy and girl recall the origins of this family tradition: their grandfather, an escaped slave, was given refuge by the Seminoles and considered a blood brother. The beautifully executed, luminous illustrations capture the atmosphere of an African-American community post-slavery: the drudgery of days consumed by back- breaking labor, the texture of private lives conducted by lantern- light. With the help of a young lawyer, she went to court and the following year, won her freedom, becoming Elizabeth Freeman.
DANCING WITH THE INDIANS
Another slave in the Ashley household was named in the court case, but Woelfle, keeping her young audience in mind, keeps it simple, wisely focusing on Mumbet. As a boy of nine, Booker works in a salt mine from the dark of early morning to the gloom of night, hungry for a meal, but even hungrier to learn to read. In musical, well-honed verse, Medearis summarizes the old story, then focuses on a long night of dancing—a rainbow dance with glorious ribbons, a fierce war dance that re-creates a heroic past, and finally, going on until dawn, the Indian Stomp Dance, which the visitors are invited to join. In his first children's book, Byrd provides dramatically evocative scenes that vary from realistic to impressionistic. Regardless, this is an immensely satisfying, accomplished work, resonating first with longing and then with joy.
Dancing with the Indians (1991 edition)
An author's note explains that the story is part of her own family history; the children here are her mother and uncle, but the custom continues to the present. His figures can be well observed but are uneven in quality; still, firelight dancing isn't an easy subject, and he has tackled it with intelligence and imagination. An alphabet book helps, but Booker can't make the connection to words. A life devoted to freedom and dignity, worthy of praise and remembrance. In 1780, Mumbet heard the words of the new Massachusetts constitution, including its declaration of freedom and equality. Typography becomes part of the page design as the font increases when the text mentions freedom.
