Hidden America Summary
Throughout the world there is a wide variety of issues that different groups of people face every day. One group in particular, the Lakota Sioux, has been dealing with various issues for several years. In the documentary called Hidden America: Children of the Plains, Diane Sawyer and her team showcases individuals from the Lakota Sioux tribe in Pine Ridge, South Dakota and the impacts that social issues have on them. The most prevalent issue among the Native Americans living on the reservation is alcoholism. Around 80 percent of adults living on Pine Ridge are alcoholic. The interactionist perspective argues that drug and alcohol use is learned through others (Leon-Guerrero, 332). However, “research indicates that factors such as demography
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At the beginning, Sawyer says that the Lakota Sioux is “one of the poorest populations in America” (ABC 2011). Each individual highlighted throughout the video experiences poverty. Robert Looks Twice, a 12 year old, walked Sawyer through his house, pointing out the broken floor and leaking roof. He also showed his messy bedroom that was crowded with other kids and freezing cold. The schools on the reservation are also in poor conditions. Principal Whitewolf showed Sawyer the areas of her school that contained asbestos, which was not her biggest concern. “When kids come on Monday their really hungry because they haven't had anything to eat through the weekend,” she said (ABC 2011). Each sociological perspective offers a different explanation for poverty. The functional perspective says that poverty serves a social function and inequality is inevitable. Whereas the interactionist perspective says that poverty is a learned phenomenon (Leon-Guerrero, 47). Each of these four social issues leads others to wonder why the people of the Lakota Sioux tribe continue to live on the reservation. Robert Looks Twice’s response is “it’s making me stronger, like a warrior.” Louise Clifford says, “I love it because it’s part of our culture” (ABC 2011). Overall, the Lakota Sioux tribe is very strong and has attempted to diminish each issue using various methods. In the end, the individuals that were highlighted showed how it was important to
At the beginning, Sawyer says that the Lakota Sioux is “one of the poorest populations in America” (ABC 2011). Each individual highlighted throughout the video experiences poverty. Robert Looks Twice, a 12 year old, walked Sawyer through his house, pointing out the broken floor and leaking roof. He also showed his messy bedroom that was crowded with other kids and freezing cold. The schools on the reservation are also in poor conditions. Principal Whitewolf showed Sawyer the areas of her school that contained asbestos, which was not her biggest concern. “When kids come on Monday their really hungry because they haven't had anything to eat through the weekend,” she said (ABC 2011). Each sociological perspective offers a different explanation for poverty. The functional perspective says that poverty serves a social function and inequality is inevitable. Whereas the interactionist perspective says that poverty is a learned phenomenon (Leon-Guerrero, 47). Each of these four social issues leads others to wonder why the people of the Lakota Sioux tribe continue to live on the reservation. Robert Looks Twice’s response is “it’s making me stronger, like a warrior.” Louise Clifford says, “I love it because it’s part of our culture” (ABC 2011). Overall, the Lakota Sioux tribe is very strong and has attempted to diminish each issue using various methods. In the end, the individuals that were highlighted showed how it was important to