Sunday, February 19, 2012

Lakota Woman : Generational Differences


 Mary Brave Bird lives in a generation that is all about embracing the lifestyle and traditions of their pasts.  Their parents, however, try to forget and lead a "white mans life".  These two generations have a huge difference in what they believe is best in the long run.  The older generation grew up living the native american life style the current generations whats to be a part of so badly.  This older generation, however, as also been through so much suffering as they have been forced to abandon all they know.  The pain inflicted upon them was so great they firmly believe that in order to protect their family they "tried to to raise us as whites, because she thought that was the only way for us to get ahead and lead a satisfying life" (19).  Mary Brave Bird's only mission in life, however, is to learn more about her culture and try to gain Native Americans more respect rather than giving in.  When she has her son she is still determined to continue with the cause.  She believes that the old lifestyle is what is best for her children, not the new white man life style her mother's generation was given into.  

~Irene Bloomer

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