Re: [LM_NET] Raining on your parade?

[Jennifer GARCIA <Garciaj@UCISD.NET>]

I'm finally catching up on all my emails from the holidays and this one
really takes the cake as my mother would say.  How can an educated adult
really make comments equating the belief in a mythical figure to the
oppression of people?  So what about the Jews, African Americans,
etc...are they all like Great Pumpkin?  I don't really think that Santa
and the Easter bunny are hurting children's values. And whose parade are
you supposedly raining on?  Those who want to use racial slurs???  
Okay, i feel better for having said that, and I'm glad we live in a
country where we can feel free to voice our opinions.  God Bless
America!  :-)
 
Jennifer Garcia, Librarian
Uvalde Junior High School
P.O. Box 1909
Uvalde, TX 78802
(830)591-2980
garciaj@ucisd.net 

>>> Debbie Reese <debreese@UIUC.EDU> 12/30/2007 3:31 PM >>>
A few moments ago, I sent our an update of additions to American
Indians in Children's Literature, and I got this reply:

------------------

Why is there always someone who wants to rain on someone else's parade?
 Why can't children just enjoy a good read?  I am sure you don't believe
in Santa, the tooth fairy or the Easter bunny because they are incorrect
in guiding young children's beliefs.  

For those that want to study the American Indian ways and beliefs, good
for them.  
For now I will read and enjoy books, just because.

--------------------

I think it merits a reply, because others may have similar thoughts.

Santa and the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny were all in our home
when our daughter was young. All three will likely be in her own home
someday, should she decide to have children.

There is a MAJOR difference between Santa/Tooth Fairy/Easter Bunny and
American Indians.

At some point, children are told or learn who Santa was/is, and that
the tooth fairy is one of their parents. 

Sadly, the chance that they get factual information about American
Indians is far less likely to happen. Studies show that children AND
their parents hold mistaken ideas about who American Indians are. 

Beyond that, WHY EQUATE AMERICAN INDIANS WITH SANTA, THE TOOTH FAIRY
AND THE EASTER BUNNY?

I imagine the person who wrote to me saying "just because" she can. A
rather arrogant thought and frankly, a frightening attitude. 

Debbie
_______________________________

Debbie A. Reese, (Nambé Pueblo)
Assistant Professor
American Indian Studies
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
1206 West Nevada
Urbana, IL 61801

Email: debreese@uiuc.edu 

Internet Resource & Blog: American Indians in Children's Literature,
located at http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com (
http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/ )

UIUC's Native American House http://www.nah.uiuc.edu (
http://www.nah.uiuc.edu/ )
TEL 217-265-9870
FAX 217-265-9880

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