(NAME-MCE) "Not my generation" and accountability

[Debbie Reese]

>Message: 1
>Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2007 14:34:08 -0400
>From: John Moses <fingers at optonline.net>
>Subject: Re: (NAME-MCE) Teaching about Stereotypes using Literature
>To: NAME-MCE - National Association for Multicultural Education Email
>         Discussion Group <name-mce at nameorg.org>
>Message-ID: <002201c76a55$2e7a4d40$6401a8c0 at johnovn0j4jvsy>
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>
>What films would you suggest for an 8th grade class (suburban privileged) to
>offset surprising resistence to any sort of "reparations" due Native
>Americans. Have been stydying Trail of Tears- typical response, "It's not
>our generation, why should we be held accountable?"
>
>J. Moses


John's question points to the "not me" 
accountability (or lack thereof) so pervasive in 
American society. Our youth are learning that lesson well!

Rather than frame this is a reparations 
discussion, I think I'd go with one that seeks to 
build information and respect for Native people, 
and especially, our struggle and survival, which 
is often left out of Civil Rights instruction.

I really REALLY like ALCATRAZ IS NOT AN ISLAND. 
It is accessible, vibrant, and brilliantly 
documents the work of Native student activists in 
the 60s. It was aired on PBS, and also has an 
extensive website on PBS. If your students have a 
firm grip on the here and now of Native life, 
they may better understand issues of accountability.

Debbie



Debbie A. Reese (Nambé Pueblo)
Assistant Professor, American Indian Studies
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Native American House, Room 2005
1204 West Nevada Street, MC-138
Urbana, Illinois 61801

Email: debreese at uiuc.edu
Internet Resource & Blog: 
http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/
Native American House: http://www.nah.uiuc.edu

TEL 217-265-9885
FAX 217-265-9880