It gets
worse. In a recent study done by a professor at Pennsylvania
State University, it was found that most Americans believe that Native
Americans are either assimilated, or extinct.
He
conducted an extensive study of the way Native Americans and Native American
issues were framed by the "big three" television networks — ABC, CBS
and NBC — between 1990 and 1999. He said that during that timeframe the three
networks produced 175,889 news reports. Of those, a combined total of 98
reports were about Native Americans or Native American issues.
Sanchez
said the majority of those stories were framed by stereotypical 18th century
imagery, such as Native Americans in buckskin clothing riding horses and
wearing traditional headdresses.
"Why
is that important? Because it makes people believe American Indians haven't
progressed," Sanchez said.
Sanchez
said the least common type of story were those representing 21st century Native
Americans in a positive light." [emphasis mine].
