Today in class, we read the "Impressions of an Indian Childhood" which the Indian culture is described by a child. However, I found it interesting that how the writer always go along with whatever her mother says and respect the elder a lot. After finishing the story, I realize how elders are so important and are always respected by the young people. One fact that stood out to be was the names that people in the tribe called each other like they are one family. But, I do not see the purpose of this piece that connects with the materials we were reading earlier, besides both Indians and the blacks were considered to be the unimportant races by the the whites.
I wish that we had more time to read other parts of this writer's work. It is painful to see a child growing up in a culture that is being destroyed. Many of the central beliefs of a child in such a situation would be called into question. Zitkala Sa was her Indian name. Most of the people around whom she would spend her adult life would have no idea of even something so central as the importance of that name. I often wonder if some of you who come to us from far away don't lose something important when you have to choose an American or English name.
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