While taking this course, my biggest concern is what my identity is. My identity is an Asian male and a foreigner. In other words, my question is this: What is indigenous studies really about for me? At first, I’m trying to search for common denominators between Korean and indigenous people. Of course, Korean have a lot in common with indigenous people. Korean was colonized by Japan. Koreans put stress on family value. However, owing to rapid industrialization and urbanization, Korean resemble American as time goes by. Avatar made me realized the fact that identity is not fixed, but formed by one’s own choice. Ethnicity is strong barriers to search for a new identity. Racial traits are inherent, and language barrier seems to be inevitable.
“Indigeneity is a matter of becoming, not a fixed state of being, a historically contingent and sometimes very powerful form of cultural identification and political organizing”
On the other hand, someone argued that individual choice has limitations. People are a product of their regime and culture. Human beings are autonomous but only have a limited autonomous.
Self-questioning and self-reflection are necessary to become another being. It means self-denial is needed before becoming new identity. It is very difficult to achieve by himself. If people around you help you, it is easier to achieve it. Indigenous movement is not individual activity but group activity. Self-denial and assistance of Neytiri make Jake become the “Na’vi.”
Therefore, share your vision, experience and ideas. That’s the way to become indigenous and be released from shackles.
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