Becoming Quote by Richard Rodriguez
“Suddenly the land is haunted by all these dead Indians. There is this new fascination with the Southwest, with places like Santa Fe, New Mexico, where people come down from New York and Boston and dress up as Indians. When I go to Santa Fe, I find real Indians living there, but they are not involved in the earth worship that the American environmentalists are so taken by. Many of these Indians are interested, rather, in becoming Evangelical Christians.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The New Frontier of Cultural Appropriation”, 1995
The quote critiques romanticizing and appropriation of Native culture by outsiders, noting a shift toward evangelical conversion among some Indigenous peoples.
In simple terms: It highlights cultural misrepresentation and changing identities.
Key Takeaway
Recognize authentic voices and avoid superficial appropriation.
Themes
cultural appropriation
identity
religion
representation
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
social commentary
cultural critique
When to use this quote
- tourism
- media portrayal
- religious conversion
- urban migration
Key Concepts
colonialism
authenticity
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- How does tourism affect Indigenous identity?
- What responsibilities do outsiders have when engaging with other cultures?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overgeneralize Indigenous experiences.
