English versus Lakota~Dances With Wolves

            Today’s movie was “Dances with Wolves”, a movie about a White military officer gets to know and be a part of the Indians. For starters, I actually have little clue about the Whites versus the Indians. The only information I can get is from cartoon! (Yeah, I mean literally~) However, this movie clearly shows that how prejudices and discrimination can be started: through the lack of understanding.

            The story started with the main character John Dunbar, who was injured but wishes to die and sacrifice in honor instead of live amputated. However, his heroic action makes him a hero. I think that this shows the Need of Achievement theory by McClelland. Dunbar showed the desire to rather achieve an honorable status by risking to death than living without any contribution. The theory also was portrayed on Dunbar when he decided to go to the frontier rather than being in any other high and respectful position. This shows that he had the desire to challenge things that seems impossible.

            Above I’ve mentioned about how prejudices and discrimination can start from lack of understanding, and it is clearly shown in the movie. From the quote of Dunbar, “Nothing I have been told about these people is correct. They are not thieves or beggars. They are not the bogeymen they are made out to be. On the contrary, they are polite guest and I enjoy their humor.” The wagon driver Timmons also mentioned that he thinks that all Indians are thieves and beggars. Even myself cannot tell the difference when the Pawnees show up and kill Timmons. I thought they are the same. However, the movie also shows that when people willing to make the first step to understand each other, prejudice will be dissolved. Like Dunbar in the movie, at first he held prejudice towards Indians like all Whites, but as he try to put down the prejudice and try to understand them, friendship and trust started to bond. They genuinely care about each other as the story goes.

            Every action begins with a seed of thought, same goes to prejudice and discrimination. The lack of understanding leads to fear and causing the injustice. Perhaps sometimes it just take one step forward to make the world a little bit more harmony.