Why Whitman’s did not understand the Native Americans?
Whitman's inability to understand Native Americans can be attributed to various factors. Firstly, it's important to note that Whitman refers to Marcus Whitman, a 19th-century American physician, missionary, and pioneer who lived among Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest.
1. Cultural Differences: One of the main reasons Whitman struggled to understand Native Americans was due to significant cultural differences. The Native American worldview, values, traditions, and way of life were vastly different from the European-American culture to which Whitman belonged. These differences in language, social customs, beliefs, and practices hindered effective communication and mutual understanding.
2. Lack of cross-cultural exchange: During Whitman's time, there was limited interaction and exchange of knowledge between Native Americans and European settlers. This lack of exposure made it difficult for Whitman and others to comprehend the complexities of Native American culture, belief systems, and social structures.
3. Biases and Prejudices: Like many European settlers, Whitman held ethnocentric views, which led to a biased perspective. The prevailing belief at that time was that Native Americans were inferior and needed to be "civilized" or assimilated into European-American culture. This mindset often prevented genuine efforts to understand and respect the Native American way of life.
4. Language Barriers: Language plays a crucial role in understanding different cultures. The lack of a common language between Whitman and Native Americans made it challenging to bridge the communication gap. Without a means to effectively communicate, misunderstandings and misinterpretations were likely.
Understanding Native Americans or any other culture requires open-mindedness, cultural competency, willingness to learn, and respectful engagement. It is essential to actively seek out cross-cultural experiences, engage in dialogue, read diverse perspectives, and challenge one's biases to foster a better comprehension of different cultures.