Allen Ginsberg in his poem “America” discussed the unfairness of the government in the treatment of Indians, African Americans, and the Industrial workers: “That no good. Ugh. Him make Indians learn read. Him need big black niggers. Hah. Her make us all work sixteen hours a day. Help.” Ginsberg addresses the issue of America allowing slavery. He points out the poor treatment of Native Americans - how America not only took their land away, but also forced them to change their lifestyles.
Diane di Prima also mentions the unfair treatment of Indians in her poetry: “who is the we, who is the they in this thing, did we or they kill the indians, not me/ my people brought here, cheap labor to exploit a continent for them” (Revolutionary Letter #36). She calls attention to America using Native Americans as slaves and how everyone is to be blamed for it. The difference in her poetry in comparison to Ginsberg’s is that she also calls for action or revolt. She is more extreme and says things like “be prepared at any time to die” (Revolutionary Letter #7).
Not only did Diane di Prima address the ill treatment of Native Americans, she was also inspired by them. Diane di Prima uses Native American ideas and culture in some of her letters: “the American Indians say that a man can own no more than he can carry away on his horse” (Revolutionary Letter #21). Native Americans in San Francisco were not only forced to do labor but also change their traditions and ways of life. Men and women were separated in different living quarters, they had to abide by a linear clock of the church bells, etc. When traditions are changed, they can be lost. By using them in her poetry, Diane di Prima helps us remember some of their traditions and beliefs.
-Jessica
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