Is Wind-Wolf's Learning Style Juxtaposition With The American Culture

Culture influences the way people identify others. The short story, “An Indian Father's plea”, accentuates a cultural conflict between a concerned father and teacher. This idea that Wind-Wolf is culturally different, making him “slow” in the teacher's perspective, contrasts with the father’s position. Rober Lake states, “So you see, all of these influences together make him...slow, according to your standards”. The teacher labeled Wind-Wolf as "slow" immediately comparing him to his white classmates. Wind-Wolf's learning style juxtaposed with the American culture; he was a “slow adapter” because he wasn't used to the traditional education, let alone experience a non-Indian childbirth. Wind-Wolf was identified as a student of color who didn't

know the typical standards of education in America, yet the teacher was at fault because he didn't address nor introduce Indian culture and how significant it is pertaining to Americas upbringing. The teacher's perspective on his student was altered by the two different cultures. In addition, author of "By Any Other Name", Santha Rama Rau conveys her story of being culturally different, when she writes about her experience with a racial and ignorant headmistress. The author expresses, "She made me and the other Indians sit at the back of the room.....because Indians cheat”. A cultural inequality was shown and Rau knew exactly why. Even though they went to an Anglo-Indian school, it didn't necessarily mean that they were included in the American culture. The teacher's action was not acceptable, she didn't comprehend the culture of the sisters, thus isolating them and titling them as cheaters. Culture is expressed in every way, but how people perceive and acknowledge it can be both negative and positive. A conversion in the American culture without losing one's identity is difficult, yet that does not give people the right to disown, let alone label someone.