I certainly don't object to [writers] trying to imagine…
![“I certainly don't object to [writers] trying to imagine the lives of other societies, but you have to do it with a certain amount of humility and respect. If it were not for the ethnographic material that had been collected by missionaries and anthropologists and so forth, much of past Native…” quote by Michael Dorris](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/f26/michael-dorris-29681_american-indian_i-certainly-don-t-object-to-writers-tryi_1784016.jpg)
“I certainly don't object to [writers] trying to imagine the lives of other societies, but you have to do it with a certain amount of humility and respect. If it were not for the ethnographic material that had been collected by missionaries and anthropologists and so forth, much of past Native American society would no longer be accessible. What I object to is making kitsch of things that are very serious.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Writers must imagine other cultures with humility and respect, relying on scholarly work, not sensationalism.
In simple terms: Respectful imagination of other cultures requires humility and scholarly sources.
Key Takeaway
Honor research, avoid trivializing serious cultures.
Themes
cultural sensitivity
humility
respect
ethics
representation
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
ethical
literary
When to use this quote
- writing fiction
- academic research
- museum curation
- media production
Key Concepts
anthropology
historical context
literary responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can writers ensure respectful representation?
- What responsibilities do creators have toward source cultures?
A Different Perspective
Simplistic portrayals can reinforce stereotypes despite good intentions.