Essay Smoke Signals

Smoke Signals Essay
             
            In the film, Smoke Signals, many stereotypes were presented but the characters in the movie learned how to overcome them and to own their pride of being a Native American. There were many stereotypes brought onto the characters Victor and Thomas while on their trip to Arizona. A big stereotype that was presented in the movie was that all Indians were alcoholics. Victor's father was an alcoholic, and there were many scenes of Native Americans who were drunk. Also an officer assumed that Victor caused a wreck by drinking and driving even though he had never drank a drop of alcohol before. Obviously not all Indians are alcoholics, even though that is a big problem in their society, and Victor gave pride of being Native American by denying that accusation. 
Image result for smoke signals          Not only were stereotypes presented in the film, but the history between Americans and Native Americans was also shown. Like the fact that White people were superior to Native Americans in the past. The movie showed how it was still a problem today when two middle aged white men stole Victor and Thomas's seats on the bus. When Victor confronted there wrong doing the two white men just sat there, laughed, and acted like they were above them. Native Americans are still seen today as unequal and the movie demonstrated the issue in this scene. Although Victor and Thomas were extremely angry with the two white men they decided to sit down calmly at another row of seats. Through this action they took pride with who they were by deciding to be the higher person and not cause a commotion. 
Related image          Although these characters had to deal with their history and with stereotypes they overcame these accusations and showed their pride of being Native American in many different ways. They were honored with who they were and displayed this by singing songs, sharing stories, and being religious. All these aspects were shown in the movie by Thomas praying with his grandma before eating, Thomas and Victor singing on the bus when everyone was rude to them, and sharing many stories through out the whole entire movie. During the whole film the characters dealt with a lot of hardships but overcame them and showed their pride of being Native American by sharing their aspects of Native American life. 

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