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Jason's post re social media, and a question about invisibility
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From: Debbie Reese <dreese.nambe_at_gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 11:42:00 -0500
Off list, I was asked why Native people in the US, in comparison to aboriginal people in Australia, are so invisible.
The question reminded me of something Toni Morrison said in the conversation between her and Junot Diaz a few weeks ago at the NYPL. She said something to the effect that the title of Ellison's book--Invisible Man--was a stark comment on the imagined audience for the book. To her, the protagonist was not invisible. You can watch the conversation. There was one pearl after another from the two: http://colorlines.com/archives/2013/12/watch_toni_morrison_and_junot_diaz_talk_about_race_and_writing.html
The point is, invisibility is relative to who you are.
Last night visiting with my daughter, she asked how we (my generation) managed without all the social media we use today. The ability to network is exponentially greater than it was 20 years ago. Through social media, I've met many people who are reading my site, or my facebook page, or my tweets. Some of this evolves into in-person meetings when the opportunity is there for both of us. And of course, I've met people who, prior to social media, were invisible to me, too. I feel awkward as heck, sometimes, stepping out of my comfort zone, but it is necessary.
Jason Lee's post is a perfect example of what is possible with social media. It is my presence on social media that got me an invitation to write about the use of "Geronimo" for the military operation that resulted in Osama bin Laden's death: http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/05/04/osama-bin-laden-was-no-geronimo/
Following Jason, and Malinda Lo, and Cynthia Leitich Smith, and Edith Campbell on Facebook or Twitter (and now I'm adding Tumblr to what I seek out), I learn a lot. The invisible becomes visible.
As to why American Indians are invisible to mainstream American society... I think children's literature is part of the answer. Too much historical fiction in which we just go away. And of course, not enough coverage of Native news in the major newspapers. If you want to know what we care about, read our newspapers. As evident yesterday, my voice is seen as strident, but in the continuum of Native voice, I'm rather measured and diplomatic. To read Native news, here's some options:
Indian Country Today Media Network: http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/
Yesterday's Native News Online ran a piece called "US Presidents in their own words concerning American Indians" http://nativenewsonline.net/currents/us-presidents-words-concerning-american-indians/
Scan the archives of Native America Calling (radio program that airs daily). See "Past NAC Programs" on left of their main page: http://www.nativeamericacalling.com/
Lisa Mitten, of the American Indian Library Association, has a terrific page on media. Take a look: http://www.nativeculturelinks.com/media.html
So. In today's technology age, visibility/invisibility is a choice we make.
Debbie
__________________________________________________________ Debbie Reese, PhD Tribally enrolled: Nambe Pueblo
Email: dreese.nambe_at_gmail.com
Website: American Indians in Children's Literature
_at_ http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.net
Now: Studying for MLIS at San Jose State University Then: Assistant Professor in American Indian Studies, University of Illinois
Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 11:42:00 -0500
Off list, I was asked why Native people in the US, in comparison to aboriginal people in Australia, are so invisible.
The question reminded me of something Toni Morrison said in the conversation between her and Junot Diaz a few weeks ago at the NYPL. She said something to the effect that the title of Ellison's book--Invisible Man--was a stark comment on the imagined audience for the book. To her, the protagonist was not invisible. You can watch the conversation. There was one pearl after another from the two: http://colorlines.com/archives/2013/12/watch_toni_morrison_and_junot_diaz_talk_about_race_and_writing.html
The point is, invisibility is relative to who you are.
Last night visiting with my daughter, she asked how we (my generation) managed without all the social media we use today. The ability to network is exponentially greater than it was 20 years ago. Through social media, I've met many people who are reading my site, or my facebook page, or my tweets. Some of this evolves into in-person meetings when the opportunity is there for both of us. And of course, I've met people who, prior to social media, were invisible to me, too. I feel awkward as heck, sometimes, stepping out of my comfort zone, but it is necessary.
Jason Lee's post is a perfect example of what is possible with social media. It is my presence on social media that got me an invitation to write about the use of "Geronimo" for the military operation that resulted in Osama bin Laden's death: http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/05/04/osama-bin-laden-was-no-geronimo/
Following Jason, and Malinda Lo, and Cynthia Leitich Smith, and Edith Campbell on Facebook or Twitter (and now I'm adding Tumblr to what I seek out), I learn a lot. The invisible becomes visible.
As to why American Indians are invisible to mainstream American society... I think children's literature is part of the answer. Too much historical fiction in which we just go away. And of course, not enough coverage of Native news in the major newspapers. If you want to know what we care about, read our newspapers. As evident yesterday, my voice is seen as strident, but in the continuum of Native voice, I'm rather measured and diplomatic. To read Native news, here's some options:
Indian Country Today Media Network: http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/
Yesterday's Native News Online ran a piece called "US Presidents in their own words concerning American Indians" http://nativenewsonline.net/currents/us-presidents-words-concerning-american-indians/
Scan the archives of Native America Calling (radio program that airs daily). See "Past NAC Programs" on left of their main page: http://www.nativeamericacalling.com/
Lisa Mitten, of the American Indian Library Association, has a terrific page on media. Take a look: http://www.nativeculturelinks.com/media.html
So. In today's technology age, visibility/invisibility is a choice we make.
Debbie
__________________________________________________________ Debbie Reese, PhD Tribally enrolled: Nambe Pueblo
Email: dreese.nambe_at_gmail.com
Website: American Indians in Children's Literature
_at_ http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.net
Now: Studying for MLIS at San Jose State University Then: Assistant Professor in American Indian Studies, University of Illinois
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Received on Tue 18 Feb 2014 10:42:24 AM CST
