Post #4

     The last section of Reservation Blues showed some racial insensitivity.  When Chess and Thomas were in the restaurant, Kit comes in and the waitress asks him if he has seen any Indians.  When Kit finds out that Chess and Thomas are Indians, he says, "They don't look nothing like those Indians in the movies.  They look Puerto Rican to me," (239).  Chess and Thomas immediately leave the restaurant.  I can relate to the two in this situation because I too have been confused to be a race that I am not.  I am Portuguese, but I have been mistaken for Hispanic or Indian.  When I get confused for something that I am not I do get a little offended.  This is not because there is anything wrong with Hispanic or Indian individuals, but because I would like to be recognized for what I am because I take great pride in it.
     My belief in being proud of your heritage seems to be shattered in this section of the book.  This is shown when Sheridan tries to sell his female acts to Armstrong.  He  turns their being part Indian commercial saying, "We dress them up a little... Darken them up a bit...Then we'd have Indians.  People want to hear Indians," (269).  This disgusts me.  He is trying to turn people into something they are not for commercial gain in music.  It is awful because it removes the pride in being something.  But even worse, it takes away from the music.  These girls won't be successful because they are talented, but because they are "Indian".  This part of the book really bothered me.