july 27
(anti) assimilation
In both of these stories, I was impressed by the women’s resilience to acts of prejudice. While the Native American story was one of assimilation and the Chinese American story more of anti-assimilation, there were many similarities in each of the narratives. In their stories, both women described being watched by others. I noticed that both narratives described the girls hiding. Zitkala-Sa hid from the palefaces so that her hair would not be cut, and Sui Sin Far hid from others that wanted to inspect her. They each also felt societal pressures to be a certain way.
Whereas the Native American girl was forced to change (cutting her hair, learning Christianity), the Chinese American girl was able to keep whatever culture she wanted…though each culture presented a contrasting difficulty.
I felt that in the narrative of assimilation, Zitkala-Sa grew up to neglect her heritage. When she was younger, it was a stigma to her, so as she went east again, she participated in activities (and college) that allowed her to escape her people. In the beginning she did not want to cut her hair or conform to ‘white’ ways, but in the end she defies her Native American mother.
Sui Sin Far defended her heritage all throughout her life. As a child she beat up people who offended her, and as an adult she stood up for other Chinese. She was not forced into assimilation (but she still was stigmatized). She still had a painful story because of peoples’ prejudices towards her race.
I think that the stories had several similarities because being a minority always puts pressure on women. Regardless of forced assimilation or allowed differences, minority women will undoubtedly feel stigmatized—as represented in these narratives. The differences, of course, can be accounted for because one was that of forced conforming and the other of allowed pride.
In both of these stories, I was impressed by the women’s resilience to acts of prejudice. While the Native American story was one of assimilation and the Chinese American story more of anti-assimilation, there were many similarities in each of the narratives. In their stories, both women described being watched by others. I noticed that both narratives described the girls hiding. Zitkala-Sa hid from the palefaces so that her hair would not be cut, and Sui Sin Far hid from others that wanted to inspect her. They each also felt societal pressures to be a certain way.
Whereas the Native American girl was forced to change (cutting her hair, learning Christianity), the Chinese American girl was able to keep whatever culture she wanted…though each culture presented a contrasting difficulty.
I felt that in the narrative of assimilation, Zitkala-Sa grew up to neglect her heritage. When she was younger, it was a stigma to her, so as she went east again, she participated in activities (and college) that allowed her to escape her people. In the beginning she did not want to cut her hair or conform to ‘white’ ways, but in the end she defies her Native American mother.
Sui Sin Far defended her heritage all throughout her life. As a child she beat up people who offended her, and as an adult she stood up for other Chinese. She was not forced into assimilation (but she still was stigmatized). She still had a painful story because of peoples’ prejudices towards her race.
I think that the stories had several similarities because being a minority always puts pressure on women. Regardless of forced assimilation or allowed differences, minority women will undoubtedly feel stigmatized—as represented in these narratives. The differences, of course, can be accounted for because one was that of forced conforming and the other of allowed pride.
posted by Kaylene at 8:28 AM
3 Comments:
I liked the way you pointed out that in both stories the girls were hiding. This was something that I hadn't paid attention to at first. In alot of the stories we have read the women are being
watched. I wonder what that means?
I agree with Quetta. I think you brought up an interesting point when you said that both girls were hiding. I know that in, The Schooldays of an Indian Girl, she hides behind the bed because she was in fear. But I never really thought about how Sui hide from her identity. I think that was a really good point to make.
Keep up the good work. thnx!
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