November 2000
Staff -- School Library Journal, 11/1/2000
I write this open letter to the editors, reviewers, and readers of School Library Journal, Booklist, and the Horn Book Magazine, to ask why no reviewer found the copious problems I did with Albert Marrin's Sitting Bull and His World (Dutton, 2000; July, p. 119), a book that received stars in all three journals. Although Marrin documents much of his narrative, he often projects thoughts or emotions onto his subjects without attribution: "Each man's anger quickly cooled. Deep down, they understood and respected each other.â?¦ Without saying it in so many words, both men agreed to forgive and forget" (p. 187). Marrin relies on this "inside look" throughout his book, which may make it "enjoyable" and "dramatic," as pointed out by reviewers, but which is questionable at best, false at worst. Even more troubling is Marrin's misrepresentation of Lakota and other Native American cultures. With comments like, "It was a good feeling, knowing they were masters of their own destiny" (p. 27), Marrin superimposes European notions onto Native American culture. On page 9, Marrin draws parallels between White and Native American culture that are laughable and offensive: "Had he [Sitting Bull] been a white man, fellow citizens would have praised him, as they once praised Patrick Henry, for declaring: 'Give me liberty or give me death!'"; "Native Americans believed that the Great Spirit--God--visited people in dreams." These allusions to an heroic orator of the American Revolution and the Judeo-Christian deity are not necessary here. Do they make the story more understandable to young readers? On the contrary, they misrepresent its subject. I am not a Native American. I am not an expert on Native American culture. I am a librarian and a reviewer of children's books. I do not doubt that Marrin is well-versed in history and historical research, or that he can write an engaging story. I do doubt that he has written good history here. Though he sets out to correct them, he perpetuates White misconceptions of Native culture. And by claiming to do otherwise, he not only injures the memory of Sitting Bull, but does disservice to children who will read this book. And they will read it, as it has received three starred reviews in highly respected journals used for collection development in most libraries in the United States, as well as an honor in the 2000 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards. That, to me, is just plain sad. Nina Lindsay
Children's Librarian
Oakland (CA) Public Library
Our reviewer replies:
I'm not a Native American "expert" either, but with a degree in history and heavy reference and collection development responsibilities in this area, I feel that I have a relatively good sense that Marrin's book is, indeed, good history. My own concept of good history is that of gathering and presenting reliable facts and then using them to draw conclusions to explain and understand people and events, and their repercussions. Frankly, I'm unable to see that Ms. Lindsay proves her claim that the author is "perpetuating White misconceptions at the same time that he attempts to correct them." Oxymoronic? I feel strongly that Marrin respectfully edifies the culture. He describes games and cooperation among young Native Americans, their spirituality, and the place for varying sexual orientations among the Lakota. The latter is an accepted aspect of this culture that has been particularly ignored or misconstrued in most young people's literature. Ms. Lindsay's point that I can most appreciate is that of the author "projecting thoughts or emotions onto his subjects." This is true, but they are, for the most part, well documented. No, we cannot know for certain whether "deep down, [Sitting Bull and Walsh] understood and respected each other," but their immediate actions, as proven by history, support this conclusion.
The overriding concern seems to be that the book is disrespectful to, and misrepresentative of, Native American culture. The author clearly states his intention to present as fair a perspective as possible when he says he "strove to avoid telling the story in terms of saints and sinners... [and that i]f Sitting Bull's life teaches us anything, it is the danger of judging one society by the ideas of another." I believe that Mr. Marrin, who is not Native American himself, succeeds in his intention. He presents different perspectives on his story, notably represented by his criticism of the American conquest of the continent.
It is my opinion that Sitting Bull is still head and shoulders above similar works for this audience.
Andrew Medlar
Children's Librarian
Chicago Public Library
Ads Add Up to Trouble
Critics are not "missing the point" when they lambaste corporate marketing strategies and advertising to children ("Zapped by Ads," Chat Room,
p. 29, August 2000). Certainly, librarians do need to educate students about advertising. Perhaps librarians also need to educate the greater society that advertising to children is manipulative and pernicious, and that some aspects of children's lives should remain as commercial-free as possible.
As funding becomes more and more scarce for essential institutions such as schools and libraries, it will be tempting to accept offers from corporate donors to fill the void. Trouble is, these offers are not altruistic but are a method for corporations to reach a captive audience, deliver a self-serving message, and develop brand-name loyalty in a burgeoning youth market.
ZapMe's offer of free computer labs is only one mild example. Other examples include McDonald's providing nutrition education materials to schools, Exxon providing science and environmental students with information, and Pepsi building a football stadium for Jefferson County, Colo., schools in exchange for exclusive selling rights and advertising privileges. If librarians and educators continue accepting these carrots, the stick of the further commercialization of education itself will surely follow.
Timothy R. Williams
Children's Librarian
Pittsburgh, PA
