Common View Of Native Americans example essay topic

Eisner G. LozaAmerican Lit. HI 117 Prof. PlochockiAugust 2, 2004 I pledge my honor that I have abide d by the Stevens Honor System American literature, beginning with the Puritans and going through the modern day, contains an array of different writers, styles, viewpoints, and inspiration. It has set standards, broken barriers, and surpassed most expectations by simply being honest and straightforward. Benjamin Franklin is considered one of the greatest American statesmen and is known as one of America's forefathers. Franklin published an article about a fictitious character named Polly Baker, by whose reason reformers were taken in. His main concern is thrown at feminism and how women were not allowed to have children unless they were married.

He talks about how Polly went to trial for something that was not even a crime, and how she, in the end, was allowed to redeem herself by marrying a judge. In his Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America, he clearly points out how racism existed during those times. He wanted to show the American and European society how Native Americans were treated poorly and state that the Indians are not different from white settlers. This ideology of racism and sexism has always been in the minds of most Americans and should not be expected to change anytime soon. The Speech of Miss Polly Baker deals with her being tried in the courts for having five illegitimate children. "But take into your wise Consideration, the great and growing Number of Bachelors in the Country, many of whom from the mean Fear of the Expences of a Family, have never sincerely and honourably courted a Woman in their Lives; and by their Manner of Living, leave un produced Hundreds of their Posterity to the Thousandth Generation.

Is not this greater Offence against the Publick Good, than mine? Compel them, then, by Law, wither to Marriage, or to pay double the Fine of Fornication every Year". (Franklin 793). Ms. Baker is asking why she is the only one being charged for this. Why is the person that made her pregnant not being accused for the same thing? This quote is setting the role of double standards women faced in those ages.

Franklin's reason for writing this fictitious article was to satirize sexual relations before marriage. This was unusual for the time given that women who fornicated were seen as dirty and sinful. Franklin's theme is still seen in today's society because there are still forms of sexism around. There has always been a double standard for women. The early twentieth century was tough for most women. They were expected to stay at home, take care of the children and cook meals for their husbands.

Women were viewed as simple objects that belonged to men. The rights and status of women have improved considerably in the last century. Women have not always had the respect and equality they have today. Although they have come a long way, women are still being looked down upon because they live in a male-dominated society. Another example that men and women are not equal is the terms used to describe the sexual habits of men and women. Men who are promiscuous are considered studs, macho, and manly.

Men often boast about the many partners they have had. Women who are promiscuous are considered sluts, whores, and prostitutes. Women tend to hide the number of partners they have had. If a man has sex before marriage, he is getting experience and exploring his options. If a woman has sex before marriage, she is not considered pure, a quality often desired by men. There is clearly a double standard for men and woman for the same type of behavior.

Many people believe abortion is a moral issue, but it is also a constitutional issue. It is a woman's right to choose what she does with her body, and it should not be altered or influenced by anyone else. This right is guaranteed by the ninth amendment, which contains the right to privacy. This right guarantees woman, if they so choose, to have an abortion, up until the end of the first trimester. Another example of gender stereotyping is sports coverage.

Woman who participate in sports, are often judged on their appearance rather than talent. Women athletes are almost invisible and never covered on television; unless sponsors agree that she is good-looking. While male athletes have article after article, magazine covers, sports shows are seen as heroes, larger than life people. Women are still seen as homemakers and men are still seen as professional, successful and independent.

Women are more often portrayed as sexual objects than people. In Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America, Franklin wanted to stop the fallacy the European society had towards the natives. The natives were very kind to outsiders, however; the colonists looked down upon them and considered them 'savages'. "The Indian Men, when young, are Hunters and Warriors; when old, Counselors; for all their Government is by Counsel of the Sages; there is no Force, there are no Prisons, no Offices to compel Obedience, or inflict Punishment". (Franklin 798). This was mainly because they had no form of government structure compared to that of the colonists.

Native Americans were independent and self-governing. They had their own political and legal systems, which varied greatly from group to group. Not much has changed since the fourteen hundreds. Today we still hold a perception of Native Americans that is mis representative and for the most part false. Nowadays, there is still stereotyping towards Native Americans. They are still not viewed as human beings but as museum artifacts.

When someone sees an Indian they want to take a picture with him or are amused by his style of dressing. Modern day society has been influenced by traditional stereotypes that portray Native Americans as being barbaric. Stereotypes have robbed the Native American tribes of their individual identities. It also clumped the various tribes into one common view of Native Americans.

Since the fifteenth century and still today, American Indians have suffered a false stereotype forced upon them due to society's unwillingness to learn more about the traditions and cultures of the different nations. The view that was held was of a ruthless and heartless savage. The Indian was an individual to be feared, someone who was inferior to the white man, and an individual who due to their difference in color and tradition was viewed more of as a beast than a man. The white man feared what he did not comprehend, and his fears would establish a long lasting stereotype that would for centuries misrepresent the Native American Indians. In modern society the Native American Indian is still viewed as it was in the eighteenth century. In conclusion, many of the views that Franklin portrayed in his stories are still visible in this modern age society.

The problem with racism is that it will never go away. There are still problems today in society, just not the same extent that it has been in the past. People look and act different. It is just something that must be accepted in order to eliminate racism. Nowadays, there are still issues of double standards for gender equality.

Nevertheless as long as there are closed-minded people the double standard will still exist in the future.

Bibliography

Franklin, Benjamin. "Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America". In Lauter et al 798-801... "The Speech of Polly Baker". In Lauter et al. 792-794. Lauter, Paul, et al., ed. The Heath Anthology of American Literature. Vol. 1.4th ed. Boston; New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2002.