Posted by Rich on December 02, 1997 at 04:36:03:
In Reply to: Re: Eric's Interview posted by Petra on December 01, 1997 at 23:48:45:
Points well taken, Petra ... the more I read Eric's line about casting natives as natives, the more I agree with you on that. However, remember HOLLYWOOD, it's not just Indians. Using BRAVEHEART as an example again ... William Wallace has an affair with the future Queen of England, for cryin' out loud. So, I feel that problem, if it is a problem, exists on many fronts.
I can't say I blame Eric for being angry at the plight of the American Indian. But again, it's the immaturity showing, I guess, that he takes it out on people TODAY! We have an old friend, probably about 90 now, who lives out on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. His name is Jake Little Thunder. Jake is the grandchild of Chief Little Thunder, who had his village destroyed by General Harney at the Battle of The Blue Water in the mid-1850's - it was a retaliatory type affair, only Little Thunder's village had nothing to do with the original event (that being the killing of an old cow, which led to the infamous Gratton "massacre"). Anyway, before I get too involved with a long history lesson here, listening to Jake tell this tale, as tears welled- up in his eyes ... well, it was one of my life's more emotional experiences. The point is, Jake is one of the most loving, caring, tender people you could meet. He doesn't hold it against me (a white belly) as the cause for his grandfather's tragedy! THAT is what disturbed me in the interview.