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Quote by Robert A. Williams, Jr.

“That Indians are lawless people, I would change that because it's probably the most harmful stereotype.”

Author

Robert A. Williams, Jr. is an American author recognized for his contributions to Native American studies. Born in 1955, he has conducted extensive research and written extensively on indigenous cultures and issues, making significant impacts in the academic and public discourse on indigenous rights and cultures. more

“One of the prime backers of land bill was a Republican Congressman, a Paul Gosar. And when he was challenged by an Apache on this bill, he said, well, you know, Indians are wards of the federal government. This happened recently.That congressperson is obviously stuck in the 19th century when he thinks about Indians. How is that person going to legislate and treat Indians fairly and respect their rights when he has this sort of infantilized image of Indians as not being, you know, up to the same level of responsibility as everybody else?”

Thinking Responsibility Republican Stuck 19th Century

Author:Robert A. Williams, Jr.

“Until we start attacking the root of the historical problems of discrimination against Indians, and those Indians begin in these stereotypes, that Indians are less civilized than us, they're less able to exercise self-governing functions. Until we get to the roots of those problems, we're not going to change legislation. We're not going to change the hearts and minds of the Supreme Court.”

Mind Heart Problem Exercise Historical Discrimination Civilized Stereotype Supreme Court Heart And Mind

Author:Robert A. Williams, Jr.

“Many of the situations that we've talked about whether it's the San Carlos, whether it's the Navajo fighting for their land rights or fighting to develop their land to try and provide decent jobs on the reservation. The backdrop to all that, the reason that we have those battles is that history of dispossession. The story isn't over for American-Indians. ... You know, how could any tribal member think about giving away something that means so much to the tribe?”

Thinking Giving Trying Mean Reason Fighting Situation Battle Decent

Author:Robert A. Williams, Jr.

“I was always casting about for role models as a kid and the Star Trek was always available via reruns and also full of possibilities. I wanted to be like Spock because he was unflappable. I wanted to be like Kirk because he had magnetism and the ladies loved him. Bones was a grouch but he was sympathetic. The show worked like a boy band in that way... it had characters who embodied different psychic or emotional positions and that allowed me to see a great range of things.”

Different Character Kids Boys Possibility Emotional Bones Role Models Sympathetic

Author:Adrian Matejka