Shifting Perceptions in Dances With Wolves Essay -- Dances With Wolves

Shifting Perceptions in Dances With WolvesIn Kevin Costners motion picture Dances With Wolves, a white veteran of the genteel War, John Dunbar, ventures to the American frontier, where he encounters a tribe of Sioux Indians. At first, both parties are quite wary and almost hostile to each other, but by and by some time, Dunbar realizes that they have both grown to love and value each other as friends. As the movie critic Robert Ebert comments, Dunbar possesses the one and only(a) quality he needs to cut through the entrenched racism of his time He is able to look another man in the eye, and see the man, quite than his attitudes active the man. As Dunbar discovers the culture of the Sioux, so do we. As the viewpoint of the hero gradually shifts throughout the film, it is also paralleled by the similarly shifting perception of the audience- from one of initial, stereotypical fear to a much more positive one, of respect and sympathy. This overall effect on the viewer is accomplis hed through the skillful intention of some(prenominal) techniques in the film, as well as through the use of some memorable scenes, as portrayed through Dunbars eyes. In the first several scenes of the movie, the audience is introduced to the hero, John Dunbar, and is instantly able to sympathize with him. Firstly, he is a war hero, and thus, brave and respected. Then, when he chooses to move to the frontier, he smashs his adventurous spirit, and when he toils inexhaustibly each day to build the post, he also shows his hardworking and disciplined personality. Furthermore, Dunbar is a well-educated man, for he eloquently records his experiences in his journal each day, and his thoughts and insights reveal a man of noble and upright character. Thus, these qualities constitute the... ...rriding theme- that all humans possess common emotions, desires, and traits, and that these human elements alone are what should be the distinguishing factors in ones identity, rather than race, gen der, or any other external sub-category. Overall, the film causes the audience to change a traditional, stereotypical view of the Sioux Indians, but on a broader scale, it also challenges the audience to view all people from a more humanistic point of view. Works CitedCostner, Kevin, dir. Dances with Wolves. Perf. Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, and Rodney A. Grant. 1990. Videocassette. Orion, 1991. Ebert, Robert. Dances With Wolves. Rev. of Dances With Wolves, dir. Kevin Costner. The Chicago Sun-Times 9 Nov. 1990. Standing Rock Sioux Nation. plate Page. 31 Mar. 2000. Standing Rock Sioux Nation. 12 Oct. 2001. http//www.standingrock.org.

mutlicultural education :: essays research papers

Multicultural Education (Amer. Educators Encyclopedia) curricula designed to recognize the integrity, contributions, strengths, and viability of different cultural, language, and social sorts in society.-Its about creating structures and processs that allow for the expression of many civilizations, communities and individuals we are.-Each assemblage has a different history of why they immigrated and their experience. US is an intellectual and fast paced country, its a melting pot, each culture combined with another makes the US what it is right away - so therefore we should learn about every origin and its contributions.Questions 1) Who is benefiting from the education?2) How should we present the material in a way so as to blow out of the water the least amount of people?Hispanic FactsDropout rates-High school drop out rates are more than double that of white students-Most dropouts are anthropoidAbove age (2 levels behind)Low gradesBehavioral problemsLow income families, no en couragementLow educational attainment-Drop out to help family (Hispanic culture family = core of life).-Ethnic identities warp their self esteem and assimilation into a culture- hence not as much effort dedicated to schooling.-Hispanics are the fastest growing ethnic group in the US public schools.-2 Factors that standout out are a.) segregation b) bilingual education-1 out of 4 Americans identify themselves as black Hispanic, Asian, Pacific island-dweller or American Indian.-In 1996 950 Hispanics received their doctorates (2nd lowest compared to Indians)26,363 whites received it.Answers-The more ethnically integrated a school system is, the easier it will be for a instructor to develop a well rounded teaching style that would in turn benefit all students.-Teachers should attend workshops on Ethnicity and culture.-States and Federal Govt should every provide special funds to teach minority children in their own language (which may hurt them b/c English is a pivotal element to get ahead)ORteach both English and Spanish (which is proven to higher GPAs and credits)