Letters: Writer perpetuates stereotype

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In response to Virginia Sands’ op-ed, “Casino would preserve culture and benefit region financially” (March 22), I agree that the Passamaquoddy, who have pursued a tribal casino for 20 years now, deserve the opportunity, and that a casino would economically benefit Washington County. However, I must comment on three points.

First of all, her presentation of the Passamaquoddy “trying to revitalize their traditional ways of life” is misleading. The Passamaquoddy already live and practice their traditional ways, and their language is spoken throughout their community. They are a culturally rich society, and to imply otherwise is misleading.

Sands’ comments about “welfare” and “Wabanaki tribes… making an effort to separate themselves from the Maine welfare system” is insulting and disparaging. Wabanaki tribes are comprised of capable, well-educated and successful individuals. The Penobscots, for example, are leaders on many national environmental fronts. We must stop this unconstructive generalization of Native American peoples as welfare recipients. It is simply not true and a comment such as Sands’ perpetuates this negative stereotype.

Finally, casino-generated money providing “schools for their children, where the Passamaquoddy language will be taught” implies they don’t already have that. On the contrary, the Passamaquoddy children do have schools where language and cultural arts are practiced.

A casino would give the tribe and Washington County the same opportunity for economic success that is given to Bangor with Hollywood Slots. It evens the playing field and disallows a state-sponsored gambling monopoly. Most reasonable people realize that what’s good for the goose is good for the gander and will vote in a manner that reflects this common sense. I don’t think we need to falsely portray American Indians as culturally desperate and on welfare in order to sway people to rational thinking.

Maria Girouard, graduate student

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 25th, 2010, 3:42 am. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.