A Critical Analysis of the books ‘Talking to the Owls and Butterflies,’ ‘How Did We Come to This?’ ‘And The Truth About the First Thanksgiving’ by Lame Deer, Gordon & Suzuki, and Loewen

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Introduction

The books ‘Talking to the Owls and Butterflies,’ ‘How Did We Come to This?’ ‘And The Truth About the First Thanksgiving’ by Lame Deer, Gordon Suzuki, and Loewen, respectively, bring our unique perspectives of the social and cultural issues faced by people in society imposed by evolution progressiveness witnessed in society by Americans. The three authors question Americans’ embrace and overdependence on industrialization without considering their adverse impacts on their lives and environment. Deer points out that innovations and the modern way of life act like a prison to the people. It has brought restrictions and unnecessary order that has deprived people of their freedom. This paper will critically analyze the social and cultural messages, relevance portrayed in the three books.

Deer points out that the strive for progress by Americans has cost them their identity, uniqueness, and freedom. People have adopted practices that cause them more harm than good (Deer, 2011). He notes how people have switched from their natural scents to harmful and costly nonhuman odors to enhance their smell and feel good about themselves. Like all the other hazardous items used and depended on by Americans, this product can be attributed to modernization and the emergence of industries that process all kinds of products to meet the endless needs of Americans. It poses a dangerous health risk to individuals and a loss of individuality due to repetitive daily processes and automation, the new way of life in the modern world. Americans are money or income-oriented such that anything from the natural setup is termed irrelevant and useless if it does not yield money for them. This mentality leads to the destruction of natural resources, animals, and birds, threatening healthy environmental and climatic conditions. Americans fail to realize that they are slowly increasing their chances of becoming extinct.

Meanwhile, Suzuki believes Americans’ obsession with technological innovations has become their death. The failure of Americans to figure out mechanisms of managing the environment using technology has negatively affected their lives. Human ignorance and destructiveness have seen them destroy their natural habitat in search of better living conditions and natural resources to facilitate the same (Gordon & Suzuki, 2010). They are stuck in the belief bubble that natural resources are infinite and therefore exploit them using technology. The rate of industrial construction increases by day in America. Americans have given little attention to the waste and pollution from the excess already existing industries. Since the government is not strict on its policies regarding waste and pollution, most industries dump their waste on land, sea, and rivers without caring for the risks they are putting on people. Air pollution is currently at its highest in the country. Nobody seems to care for the harmful sun rays that people can be exposed to due to the destruction of the ozone layer.

Cultural practices of society are of great importance to the people. They create a platform where people can come together, interact joyfully and commemorate their history. It is a time when individuals recognize and appreciate their human history, heroes, and heroines. One of the practices valued in America is the thanksgiving ceremony. However, Loewen notes that the American people have reinvented thanksgiving and celebrate it on mythical grounds to suit their narrative (Loewen, 1991). They fail to recognize the pilgrims, the victims of the initial function that gave birth to the annual cultural practice. Loewen feels that the tale behind thanksgiving should be told honestly and inclusively through listening to the voices and opinions of the victims. It is important that every society member feels a sense of belonging, comfortability, and safe, especially during this ceremony. The inconsideration of victims in a ceremony involving them is likely to trigger discomfort, depression, or trauma.

Conclusion

The transformation of America into an industrial economy has been more of a curse than a blessing. The progressiveness and the positive changes witnessed in society are undeniable. The country’s economy is ats peak, and production has been simplified, made faster and more efficient thanks to technological innovations. People can also perform various tasks at home or workplaces easily and comfortably. However, the baggage of the Industrial Revolution is too heavy for the population to bear. It has resulted in congestion in most urban centers since more people are shifting to find well-paying white-collar jobs. Life quality and life expectancy have deteriorated due to overreliance on technology. The water, land, and air pollutions levels have skyrocketed, and people are getting ill because of this situation. The government needs to work hand in hand with society to establish strategies and policies that will help combat the negative effects of industrialization.

Reference

Deer, L. (2011). “Talking to the Owls and Butterflies” By John Lame Deer and Richard Erdoes. Writing.colostate.edu. Retrieved 8 December 2021, from https://writing.colostate.edu/comparchive/co300/97-98/neufeld/pop2j.htm.

Gordon, A., & Suzuki, D. (2010). How Did We Get Here?. Onlyoneplanet.com. Retrieved 8 December 2021, from http://www.onlyoneplanet.com/Suzuki_quote.htm.

Loewen, J., Stefoff, R., & Loewen, J. (1991). Lies my teacher told me (vol 44).