Residential school survivor: 'I grew up hating the colour of my skin.'

CBC News

23 Mar 201803:54

Summary

TLDRThe script recounts a child's painful experience of discrimination and the struggle with identity, beginning with a traumatic first day at school where they were told to wash off their brown skin. The narrative follows the journey of self-acceptance and pride in being Dakota, inspired by the American Indian Movement's fight for equality and justice. The story concludes with a determination to stand up against prejudice and a hope for reconciliation, aiming to create a better world for future generations.

Takeaways

😢 The speaker recalls a traumatic childhood experience of being told to wash off their brown skin as a child in school.
😔 The speaker grew up feeling broken and ashamed of their skin color, wanting to be white to be accepted by society.
📚 The American Indian Movement inspired the speaker to stand up for their identity and be proud of their heritage.
🦅 The speaker found strength in wearing braids and a feather, symbolizing their heritage and making a statement against ridicule.
💪 The speaker learned to stand up for themselves and their family, overcoming the hurtful names and discrimination.
🏡 The speaker made a promise to their single mother to create a better world for her through reconciliation and understanding.
🙏 The speaker prays for people to find peace within themselves and open their hearts to work together for a better world.
🌟 The speaker identifies as Dakota and is proud of their identity, vowing to stand up for their family and community.
🤝 The script emphasizes the importance of reconciliation and unity in overcoming past hurts and building a better future.
🌈 The story is a testament to the power of self-acceptance and the strength that comes from embracing one's cultural identity.

Q & A

What was the child's initial experience when entering school?
-The child encountered other children crying and was told by older children that things would get worse, setting a distressing tone for their school experience.
What was the woman's instruction to the child regarding their skin color?
-The woman instructed the child to wash off their brown skin, implying that it was something negative and that God did not like it.
How did the child feel about their skin color after this experience?
-The child grew up hating their skin color and wanted to be white, feeling broken inside and unaccepted in society.
What was the impact of the American Indian Movement on the child's perception of self-worth?
-The American Indian Movement inspired the child to stand up for their identity and to be proud of their brown skin, which they previously despised.
How did the child begin to express their cultural identity?
-The child started wearing their hair in braids with a feather, making a statement about their identity and beliefs.
What was the child's reaction to being ridiculed for their Indian heritage?
-The child decided to stand up for themselves and their beliefs, no longer allowing others to hurt them with names or insults.
What did the child promise to their single mother?
-The child promised their mother that they would never have to feel unworthy, showing a commitment to personal and societal change.
What is the child's hope for the reconciliation process?
-The child hopes that the reconciliation process will lead to a better world where people can find peace within themselves and work together.
What does the child believe is necessary for societal change?
-The child believes that people need to find peace within themselves and open their hearts to create a more inclusive and accepting society.
How does the script reflect the journey of self-acceptance and standing up against prejudice?
-The script illustrates the child's transformation from self-hatred to self-acceptance and pride in their identity, as well as their determination to stand against prejudice and injustice.
What role did the American Indian Movement play in shaping the child's identity?
-The American Indian Movement served as a catalyst for the child to embrace their heritage, stand up against discrimination, and advocate for equality and justice.

Outlines

00:00

😢 Childhood Trauma and Identity Struggle

The narrator recounts a painful childhood memory of being forced to wash off their brown skin with a harsh soap by an authoritative figure, who told them that God doesn't like brown skin. This experience led to a deep internalized hatred for their own skin color and a desire to be white to be accepted in society. They also faced ridicule in public school for being Indian and struggled with knowing how to stand up against the discrimination.

🌟 Finding Inspiration and Strength

Inspired by the American Indian Movement and their stand for equality and justice at Wounded Knee, the narrator found the courage to embrace their identity. They began to wear their hair in braids with a feather, making a bold statement about their heritage and beliefs. This newfound pride allowed them to withstand the hurtful names and discrimination, as they now identified themselves as Dakota and felt a strong sense of self-worth and determination to stand up for themselves and their family.

🤗 Promise to Protect and Heal

The narrator, who had promised to protect their single mother, expresses a hope for reconciliation and a better world. They pray for people to find peace within themselves and to open their hearts, suggesting that this reconciliation process could lead to a more harmonious and inclusive society where everyone can work together.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Cultural Assimilation

Cultural assimilation refers to the process by which individuals or groups of different cultural backgrounds integrate into the dominant culture of a society. In the video's context, it is depicted through the painful experience of being told to 'wash off' one's brown skin, illustrating the pressure to conform to societal norms that favor lighter skin tones. This concept is central to the theme of identity struggle and the quest for self-acceptance.

💡Self-Hatred

Self-hatred is a deep emotional state where an individual despises themselves, often due to internalized negative messages from society. The script describes the narrator's internalized racial shame, which led to self-hatred because of their skin color and cultural background. This concept is pivotal in understanding the psychological impact of racism and discrimination on individuals.

💡Racial Discrimination

Racial discrimination involves treating people differently based on their race or ethnicity. The video script includes experiences of being ridiculed for being Indian and the use of derogatory names, showcasing the narrator's encounters with racial discrimination. This keyword is crucial for understanding the broader social issues that the video addresses.

💡Identity

Identity refers to the characteristics determining who or what a person or thing is. The script narrates a journey of self-discovery and embracing one's identity, as the narrator moves from self-hatred to proudly identifying as Dakota. This concept is integral to the video's message of self-acceptance and cultural pride.

💡American Indian Movement

The American Indian Movement (AIM) is an activist group that advocates for Native American rights, equality, and justice. In the script, AIM is mentioned as an inspiration for the narrator to stand up against racial injustice. This keyword is significant as it connects the personal struggle with broader social movements for indigenous rights.

💡Wounded Knee

Wounded Knee is a historic site in South Dakota associated with the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre and the 1973 Wounded Knee Incident, both significant events in Native American history. The script references AIM's stand at Wounded Knee, symbolizing resistance and the fight for indigenous rights, which is a key moment that inspired the narrator.

💡Cultural Pride

Cultural pride is the affirmation and celebration of one's cultural heritage. The narrator's decision to wear braids and a feather in their hair to school is an act of cultural pride, a statement of identity, and a rejection of the negative messages they received earlier in life. This keyword is central to the video's theme of embracing one's heritage.

💡Resilience

Resilience is the ability to recover quickly from difficulties or to withstand hardships. The script portrays the narrator's resilience in the face of adversity, from enduring painful experiences to standing up against discrimination. This concept is key to understanding the narrator's strength and determination.

💡Reconciliation

Reconciliation is the process of restoring friendly relations, often after a conflict or disagreement. The narrator expresses a hope for reconciliation, suggesting a desire for healing and unity among different groups in society. This keyword reflects the broader societal message of the video, advocating for peace and understanding.

💡Acceptance

Acceptance is the act of being willing to let something be the way it is. The script touches on the narrator's journey from self-hatred to self-acceptance, as well as a wish for society to accept different cultures and races. This keyword is essential to the video's overarching theme of embracing diversity and promoting inclusivity.

💡Social Justice

Social justice is the concept of creating a society where every member has equal rights and opportunities. The video script highlights the narrator's alignment with the American Indian Movement's fight for equality and justice, emphasizing the importance of social justice in addressing racial and cultural disparities.

Highlights

A five-year-old child's distressing experience of entering school and encountering crying children and discouraging older students.

The traumatic memory of being forced to wash off their brown skin color with a harsh soap by an authoritative figure.

The painful and dehumanizing instruction to scrub until the brown skin was gone, under the false pretense of divine disapproval.

The internal struggle and self-hatred that arose from being told one's skin color was undesirable.

The desire to change one's appearance to fit into a society that ridiculed and rejected one's heritage.

The inspiration drawn from the American Indian Movement and their stand for equality and justice.

The personal transformation and newfound pride in embracing one's heritage, symbolized by braiding hair and wearing a feather.

The declaration of identity and refusal to be hurt by others' names or judgments.

The commitment to stand up for oneself and one's family, inspired by the resilience of a single mother.

The promise made to a mother to ensure she never feels unworthy, highlighting the importance of self-worth and dignity.

The hope for a reconciliation process that could lead to a better world for future generations.

The prayer for people to find peace within themselves and open their hearts to work together for a more harmonious society.

The powerful message of standing up for one's identity and heritage, exemplified by the speaker's own journey.

The overarching theme of overcoming adversity and prejudice through self-acceptance and standing together.

The emotional journey from feeling broken and unloved to finding pride and strength in one's cultural identity.