Posted by She Who Tracks La Longue Carabine on February 06, 2000 at 10:37:31:
In Reply to: From The Ridiculous To The Sublime! Life From This End! posted by Rich/Mohican Press on February 06, 2000 at 06:31:29:
: Well ... Just when you thought it was safe!
: A "friendly" e-mail received early this AM (in its entirety; source omitted):
: "I am rather disturbed by the capitalism on the distortion of 'Cooper's book, which was actually a result of Cooper being commissioned to create a literary fiction to promote the campaign of the "the vanishing Indian'. The lack of distinction between Mohican and Mohegan (Uncas) is obvious- this is how stereo-types, misconceptions and historical distortions get passed along. Are any of you even remotely aware of actual history of Uncas?
: I suspect that many of you are more interested it continuing the notion that Indian people need non Indians to carry on their legacy because all of the Indians are just going to disappear. I would recommend that you try reading "Playing Indian" by Phil Deloria. He does a wonderful job of objectively explaining the cross-cultural dressing of colonial revolutionist and the role that played in creating the national identity for the newly emerging nation; at the expense of many nations which were already here.
: The further irony of people (who have been grossly misinformed by media) gathering to fulfill their hollywood fantasies in North Carolina! Just because that film was taped there.
: There are a lot of people trying to promote the removal of historical
: distortions that lead to people being rip off because they think they
: are experiencing historical awareness. For the sake of future
: generations and self respect- learn the history. I hate seeing people
: making fools out of themselves.
: Please do not bother to reply, because I was just browsing and do not
: wish to get into a spam debate over inaccurate history and the foolish
: things it causes people to do."
Dear Rich,
Well, that certainly was one of the more interesting attacks. Obviously the person who wrote it has not bothered to read any of the many, many, many discussions on this site debating history, Cooper's works, the justifying of the film with historical accuracy, Indian history, etc. So what are we supposed to do about it? March on Hollywood with a demand that all movies dealing with history are filmed only on the actual historical site? Outlaw gatherings of people who enjoy particular movies or, heaven forbid, each others' company? And above all, stop this light-hearted laughter bit. Life is just too serious for kidding around!
She Who Tracks La Longue Carabine