ceremony part 2

As part of the Laguna Pueblo culture, actions of one effect the whole community. Tayo's mom is a great example of how they all feel at fault when one strays from the culture. "The Catholic priest shook his finger at the drunkenness and lust, but the people felt something deeper: they were losing her, they were losing part of themselves" (Leslie Marmon Silko 63). They are all connected and feel the blame when one assimilates to white culture and leaves their native beliefs behind. The Laguna people take it upon themselves to fix the problem and don't leave her on her own to deal with things herself. "For the people, it was simple, and when they failed, the humiliation fell on all of them;what happened to the girl did not happen to her alone, it happened to all of them" (Silko 63). The community is all connected and it is not just about the individual. His mom went thought what many natives did during this time period. They were all put in catholic schools where they were forces to assimilate and caused them to lose both cultures and be in a shadow world. "Shamed by what they taught her in school about the depolarable ways of the Indians" (silko 63). They were taught they their ways were wrong and so being native was wrong but they were also not accepted in the white culture as equals so they were left with nothing and no place to feel at home.

Natives were always went to the worse areas or war and separated from the white soldiers. There was racism even when it came to wanting to fight for the same country. "Anyone can fight for america,' he began, giving special emphasis to 'America,' 'even you boys, In a time of need, anyone can fight for her" (Silko 59). Even thought he is not trying to be raciest, the recruiter is saying that they are different and will be taken but not necessary wanted. He talks to them in a manner that puts them on a different level than white soldiers. "Now I know you boys love america as much as we do, but this is your big chance to show it!" (Silko 59) He makes it so they are not they same by saying "as much as we do". they are separated, us and them. Natives as well as African Americans were a;ways sent to the worse war zones that had terrible conditions. They were never able to rank up or be anything other than a soldier on the front line. "I want to be a pilot.' he paused and look at the recruiter. The recruiter didn't look up.'Sure, sure,' he said 'you enlist now and you'll be eligible for everything" (Silko 60) They would lie and promise that they could be anything they wanted but that was never the case. Natives were separated and not giving equal opportunity that white men got.