After having viewed “Alcatraz is Not an Island” I found myself very intrigued by not only their conviction but (more so in the beginning of the occupation than towards the end), the discourses and public awareness it triggered in the realms of Native American rights and activism. One of the most amazing aspects about the occupation was that it not only changed the public’s opinion of the Native Americans but it also gave a lot of the Native American’s an opportunity to explore themselves and their culture.
With much of the enthusiasm for the occupation stemming from students in college, it seemed to give an empowering voice and sense of self to the youth. It seemed as though they were fighting for a culture and an identity that they had missed out on due to the “termination” policy and many of their parent’s decisions to not carry on with the traditions. I was most impressed and captivated by Richard Oakes and his passion for Native American culture and persistence. Even after his daughter died on the Alcatraz, and he could no longer stay, he still continued to fight for the cause and contribute in any way he could. The occupation of Alcatraz inspired many other similar acts of seizing other federal facilities in an attempt to protect the civil liberties and rights of the “urban Indian”. These non-violent protests and demonstrations acted as a catalyst in reawakening the Native American consciousness and reasserting their place as indigenous inhabitants.
Question: What caused Gary Snyder to leave the West Coast in 1956 and what attracted him to the Pacific Rim?
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2 comments:
The AIM movement definatly was a bold way for the Native Americans to act, but it was necesary. I agree with your idea of how they were more so fighting to revive their cultural identity because our governemnet did not take into consideration their rights in America's society. Their peaceful acts displayed a sense of pride for ones culture that I also agree with you on. Acting peaceful instead of disruptful only makes the point more powerful. The Native American's protest obviously had a positive outcome, thanks to the modern Native Americans that helped bring back their cultural identity with Alcatraz.
Snyder traveled to Japan to study Zen Buddhism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Snyder#Japan_and_India
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