Letter to Philip Deloria: A Question of Identity

Dear Philip Deloria, 

I found it really interesting how you formed a connection and paradox between the creation of an American identity and Native American culture during the Revolutionary War. You say that white Americans wanted to feel a "natural affinity" with the American soil, which the Native Americans could help provide, but in order to "posses" this land, white Americans needed to remove the native population. I had never thought these two issues were related before reading an excerpt from your book, Playing Indian. You also mention that white Americans could either destroy or assimilate Native Americans into their new American society. Why do you think white Americans felt those were the only two options? How could white Americans have created a national identity without destroying or assimilating Native Americans? 

I also found it interesting how assimilation related to your theme of disguise, and how pretending to create an identity could be a method of survival for Native Americans, or an image presented by white Americans to make a statement (the creation of the "white Indian").  

Sincerely, 

Jahnavi Bhavsar 

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