Re: craftsperson
Tiffany Ford via Mary Mihalyi (mihalyi@hws.bitnet)
Mon, 10 Feb 1992 19:06:00 EST
My name is Tiffany Ford. I am the daughter of Mary Mihalyi, who entered the
request regarding information on Native American craftspeople. She offered
to help me because I do not yet have access to NativeNet. When my mother
told me of Peshewegunzh's response to this request, I was upset but not
surprised, for his understandable anger fed my greatest fear about being a
white anthropologist. I reject the white , European male-dominated history
of anthropology, which was built upon colonialism and exploitation. I often
fear that this history, which indigenous people know too well, will keep me
from learning world views that are different from my own and will keep me
from learning about and rejoicing in difference. I am an anthropology major
because I feel that, despite its history, anthropology has a hopeful side
to it that is growing and strengthening. I attended the American
Anthropological Association's annual meeting in Chicago last November, where
I was both frustrated by the old anthropology and excited by the new. I
attended a panel entitled "Decolonizing Anthropology" and other similar
panels where I heard people of many races discuss the opportunities that we,
as anthropologists, have to increase understanding, to decontruct
prejudices, to end the value judgements based on difference and to promote
peace. As an anthropologist, I hope to use my education to do these things,
to continue to be politically active, and to share my ideas with others as
I learn more about the vast possibilities that humans have explored in
their lives.
The project that my mother helped me with is for a field methods class where
the assignment is to create our own research project. Instead of choosing to
do something on my campus, I would like to learn about a way of life that is
different from mine here at school. I am not approaching this assignment
as an opportunity to view an "odd and exotic specimen" of a different race
and culture through the eyes of a morbidly curious and privileged white
girl. I have never regarded difference in this way. I regard difference
with respect and genuine interest. I have always been interested in Native
American culture (without romanticising it or allowing myself to be "swept
away" by the stereotypical images that the media has bombarded me with
since birth) and view this assignment as an opportunity for me to learn
more about the indigenous culture of the area in which I live from an
indigenous person's point of view. I am also an artist and am looking
forward to learning more about Native American art from a Native American
artist. I am looking forward to spending time with and learning the
culture, craft, and life history of another human being.
I hope to be a part of a force that turns history around and works for
truth, cross-cultural understanding, respect and peace.
In peace,
Tiffany Ford
______________________________
MIHALYI@HWS.BITNET