We Are All Human; A Relfection on "Reel Injun"

              Today our world is filled with battles for equality and fights against discrimination. Watching "Reel Injun" gave me great sympathy for the Indigenous people who struggled and continue to struggle through constant stereotypes and protests to show their true culture and identity. By reflecting on the documentary, I know that it was the continuous smart and empowering music choices mixed with past and present footage that created these strong messages to construct my empathetic feelings. For example, when the children were watching an old film about a massacre against Indigenous people, sorrowful music was played powerfully. The music, a tragic and despairing piece, was the dominant sound at this time. This informed the viewer that the young students know themselves much better than the way Hollywood portrayed them in the film. Secondly, the documentary used historical footage to show Sacheen Littlefeather refusing an award on behalf of Marlon Brandon. At the same time, gloomy music was yet again played. Both of these show that the Indigenous people should not have had to feel the way they were feeling (scared, angry, sad, etc.) in these instances. They should not have had to refuse awards or be afraid of watching old ancestral films, but because of the cruel stereotypes and treatment that Hollywood gives them, that depressing tone is the feeling they lived with everyday and the music reflected that. In this case, "Reel Injun" was an eye opener for me as the saying "you can't believe everything you see" held true.

"The Warrior" and the feather headbands; two of the greatest Indian stereotypes in film 

Sacheen Littlefeather refusing the Academy Award, 1973