Alcoholism
Native Americans have been plagued with alcoholism since the arrival of Europeans to the New World. Alcoholism is prevalent in Native Americans due to factors including cultural obliteration, governmental intervention, and societal oppression.
Alcohol Epidemic
I chose to do this topic because I am a quarter Navajo and have alcoholic family members on my native side. I have always wondered whether it is hereditary or learned and am interested in why Indians have a reputation in society as being drunks.
In the book we read a chapter called "Why We Hate" and it stated that people identify as I and THEY, due to the social identity theory. This ties in directly with the way the white man treated the native tribes.
I am hoping that others will learn to accept the Natives for who they are and to get over the "drunken indian" stereotype. Many don't understand the heartbreak and the situations these natives have endured and I am hoping these tribes maintain their culture despite the governments aim for assimilation .