Ishi: Last of His Tribe | Social Sensitivity

Ishi: Last of His Tribe Social Sensitivity

The most basic social conflict portrayed here is one that may never be solved: people's inhumanity to other people. Told strictly from the Yahi point of view, the narrative shows many white men as amoral thieves, plunderers, kidnappers, and murderers. Other historical accounts verify the truth of this portrayal. Although no specific violence is depicted in this history, the sensitive reader should be both enlightened and distressed about this portion of American history. The book provides a good contrast to the popular western movies that often depict Native Americans as dull-witted beasts or evil murderers.

Although some modern readers may be uneasy with the clear delineations between male and female tasks and prerogatives among the Yahi, females are treated with utmost respect, according to the tribal standards. Limitations on the females' activities always involve protecting them from seeing, participating in, or even hearing about violence or impending danger....
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