Fantasies of the Master Race: Literature, Cinema, and the Colonization of American Indians

By Ward Churchill

Book Overview

Chosen as an "Outstanding Book on the Subject of Human Rights in the United States" by the Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Human Rights.

In this volume of incisive essays, Wa

Chosen as an "Outstanding Book on the Subject of Human Rights in the United States" by the Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Human Rights.

In this volume of incisive essays, Ward Churchill looks at representations of American Indians in literature and film, delineating a history of cultural propaganda that has served to support the continued colonization of Native America.

During each phase of the genocide of American Indians, the media has played a critical role in creating easily digestible stereotypes of Indians for popular consumption. Literature about Indians was first written and published in order to provoke and sanctify warfare against them. Later, the focus changed to enlisting public support for "civilizing the savages," stripping them of their culture and assimilating them into the dominant society. Now, in the final stages of cultural genocide, it is the appropriation and stereotyping of Native culture that establishes control over knowledge and truth.

The primary means by which this is accomplished is through the powerful publishing and film industries. Whether they are the tragically doomed "noble savages" walking into the sunset of Dances With Wolves or Carlos Castaneda's Don Juan, the exotic mythical Indians constitute no threat to the established order.

Literature and art crafted by the dominant culture are an insidious political force, disinforming people who might otherwise develop a clearer understanding of indigenous struggles for justice and freedom. This book is offered to counter that deception, and to move people to take action on issues confronting American Indians today.

"One of the most outspoken of current Native American activists, Churchill . . . is an amazingly consistent and perceptive writer."--Publishers Weekly

"Ward Churchill has long since proven himself to be one of the most eloquent and powerful spokes people] for American Indian rights."--Russell Means

Ward Churchill has achieved an unparalleled reputation as a scholar-activist and analyst of indigenous issues. He is a political activist and an author of numerous books, including A Little Matter of Genocide, Struggle for the Land, and Fantasies of the Master Race.

rd Churchill looks at representations of American Indians in literature and film, delineating a history of cultural propaganda that has served to support the continued colonization of Native America.

During each phase of the genocide of American Indians, the media has played a critical role in creating easily digestible stereotypes of Indians for popular consumption. Literature about Indians was first written and published in order to provoke and sanctify warfare against them. Later, the focus changed to enlisting public support for "civilizing the savages," stripping them of their culture and assimilating them into the dominant society. Now, in the final stages of cultural genocide, it is the appropriation and stereotyping of Native culture that establishes control over knowledge and truth.

The primary means by which this is accomplished is through the powerful publishing and film industries. Whether they are the tragically doomed "noble savages" walking into the sunset of Dances With Wolves or Carlos Castaneda's Don Juan, the exotic mythical Indians constitute no threat to the established order.

Literature and art crafted by the dominant culture are an insidious political force, disinforming people who might otherwise develop a clearer understanding of indigenous struggles for justice and freedom. This book is offered to counter that deception, and to move people to take action on issues confronting American Indians today.

"One of the most outspoken of current Native American activists, Churchill ... is an amazingly consistent and perceptive writer."--Publishers Weekly

"Ward Churchill has long since proven himself to be one of the most eloquent and powerful spokes people] for American Indian rights."--Russell Means

Ward Churchill has achieved an unparalleled reputation as a scholar-activist and analyst of indigenous issues. He is a political activist and an author of numerous books, including A Little Matter of Genocide, Struggle for the Land, and Fantasies of the Master Race.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0872863484
• ISBN13: 9780872863484
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: City Lights Books
• Length: 261 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

ward churchill's second best, this time with improved prose

I would say this is worth 4 stars, but seeing how one reviewer is bent on giving it the worst possible to make a statement rather than a review, I decided to attempt to neutralize his rating.Churchill's review on cultural myths and cinema tragecomedies that rewrite history to their liking are somewhat striking. One would expect that there is some bias, but to see it put under the microscope as churchill does is more than an eye-opener. It's not another "white man steals again" books, but rather an intellectually secure book that makes claims outside the public spectrum of politics. And do I dare say, sometimes radical politics are right! Indigenous americans have been slandered. John Wayne has only secured the subtlely racist notions of indigenous savagery and such. The truth will set you free

Fantasies are fiction

Ward Churchill has hit upon a very important and eye opening subject for those that believe everything their history teachers and the media dishes out to them about the American Indian. Mainstream America is still in the dark about the reality of the first peoples of this country. I was moved by many portions of this book and would love to see it made into a PBS series for public consumption. The only sad part is most of the people that need to be informed wouldn't think of reading this book or watching anything on PBS. It is a consise and important work.

Strong Analysis of American Writings

Great book that goes deeper in the analysis of popular books on native american cultures and "testimonials" written by pro-natives and anglo-saxons alike. Great food-for-thought book. Would also recommend Taos Pueblo and the battle for the blue lake, very sad yet great book.

Your favorite movies about Indians ... DEBUNKED!

This book is great just because Churchill offers analysis of some of the tough cases of Indian fiction, nonfiction and film -- cases that you thought were open and shut "pro-Indian". He leaves aside the Billy Jacks and the John Waynes as obvious absurdities, and with unmatched scholarship tackles movies and books YOU thought finally gave an accurate portrayal of Indians. Buy this book if you loved Dances With Wolves or think you know everything about Carlos Castaneda.