Analysis Of Dichotomy An Indian's Looking-Glass For The White Man

Upholding the Bible and Christianity throughout William Apess: “An Indian’s Looking-Glass for the White Man”

There is an enormous dichotomy in the 1800s between what the White Christians say about equality of mankind and how the laws they create and impose affect that equality, specifically with the American Indian. William Apess was the first Native American to publish an autobiography, where he explained his life as a Native American and discussed the challenges he faced while attempting to conquer the Americans. In his 1833 essay “An Indian’s Looking-Glass for the White Man,” I will explain how William Apess holds up the teachings of the Bible and Christianity against the actions, laws, and behaviors of the controlling white establishment.

According to Apess, the “God” and teachings that the whites have brought to the country, along with the beliefs they have shared and ingrained in the indigenous people of America, do not align with their treatment of those they say are their equals. Apess starts this discussion by placing the blame in an abstract manner; “But, reader, I acknowledge that this is a confused world, and I am not seeking office; but merely placing before you the black inconsistency that you place before me…”(380). This begins the discussion of the incongruence that the one people one God profession of the white Christians is far from the prejudice shown towards the Indians.
Apess then goes on to explain the actions and behaviors of what the white man believes God possess. “God who is thee maker and preserver both of the white man and the Indian, whose abilities are the same, and who are to be judged by one God, who will show no favor to outward appearances, but will judge righteousness” (Apess 379). This is a contradiction between the white man’s thoughts and their actions, which is also ironic because the end goal is for the Indians to assimilate to the white man’s culture. The question then arises: how will the Indians behave like the white man when the white man doesn’t even abide by its own laws and morals? (Hanson 197). Apess discussed at length the Massachusetts law which at the time made it a crime for clergy or Justice of The Peace to perform marriage ceremonies between a white individual and an Indian. The arrogance of the white establishment towards people of color, particularly the Indian, is apparent in the way they are treated. Apess’s argument appears brutal but he substantiates his claims with written laws during the time frame that he lived in with the utilization of the scriptures that are taught from the Bible by the whites.
Apess begins with describing the disparity in living conditions.

He discusses the fact that the Indian women and children are in substandard housing with inadequate necessities while their men are away at sea. He further shares his opinion that those given charge, the “Agents,” are uncaring in regards to the Indians. They only seek to take and ravage the land. Apess also speaks on the disparity of education between the Indians and the whites. (380). This is where he begins the vehement statement of his argument that skin color is the main factor in terms of explaining why his lineage and culture is mistreated. The whites are contradicting theirselves, saying they believe and worship God’s teachings but not abiding by them. According to the scriptures and biblical teachings, there is no difference between people of different skin color in God’s eyesight. The differences are created in the minds and hearts of man, the white man, as documented by

Apess.
Apess spends a great deal of time describing the “White Man”. He describes his strong moral character and his adherence to the teachings of the scripture coupled with his desire to be a type of moral compass for the darker colored inhabitants of the area in which they lived. Apess is also extremely polite in the way he describes white individuals. He describes them as “respectable gentlemen and ladies” (379). He makes it clear that he is not biased towards them just because he is of a different ethnicity than they are. He does not provided what he knows about the treatment of Indians in first person, as he surely could have, but he creates scenarios. He discusses how their principles are skewed in relation to their actions. Apess goes as far as to mention that those who hold skin color as a barrier would cry of injustice should the circumstances be reversed, and those whose skin was white would receive the treatment they inflicted.
Apess is holding a figurative mirror up in this essay, hence the name ‘Looking Glass.’ He is asking the “Christian Missionaries” to look at themselves. Look at what they stand for. Look at what they have done and how what they have done nullifies their professed beliefs. (Brooks). Apess’s argument is based solely on the contradictions of what the white man has said versus what he has done. It is one of the strongest ways to pose an argument or to cause the listener/reader to get a clear often painful reflection of the flaws in what they say in comparison to their actions. Apess use of scripture from the First Epistle of Peter “If any man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar” (381) as a stinging condemnation of the practices of the Missionaries and leaders in respect to their professions.
As the essay progresses, Apess become more vigilant in his request of the audience to take a closer look at what is being done to the Indians at the hand of the Christian. He asks the hard questions that painfully address the murder, neglect of the intellect of the Indian, and racism. Apess poses the questions skillfully and then in a quick turn he gives the answer.
Reviewing the essay with what written commentary is available one would find that Apess poignantly deals with his audience, the white man, in a manner that is both diplomatic and harsh.

It is diplomatic in that he never directly blames the white man for any wrong doing. He simply use rhetorical questions based on the white man’s teachings and explanation of Christianity in reflective imagery to help the white man see himself. Apess crafts his words in such a manner that they are an indictment of hypocrisy and murder against the white man. He does not attempt to get the white man to see the maltreatment and horrid acts from his perspective but rather from the perspective of the white man, the Christian

perspective.
Apess leaves his audience without options for change. The author’s writings provide opportunity for the white man to correct his errors and become what it is he professes to be. The author does not even condemn the white man but offers hope, just like the teachings of the Bible and Christianity. In the King James Version Bible, Matthew 7: 1-2 states, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”
Apess strongest and most straight forward question that he leaves with the audience is “I would ask you if you would like to be disfranchised from all your rights, merely because your skin is white, and for no other crime.” He ends his essay with hope for the white man. “Do not get tired, ye noble-hearted….The Lord will reward you, and pray you stop not till this tree of distinction shall be levelled to the earth….” (383).