by Andrea Smith
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Product Description
A recognized Native American scholar and co-founder of INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence, the largest grassroots, multiracial feminist organization in the country, Andrea Smith (Cherokee) is an emerging leader in progressive political circles. In Conquest, Smith places Native American women at the center of her analysis of sexual violence, challenging both conventional definitions of the term and conventional responses to the problem. Beginning with the impact of the abuses inflicted on Native American children at state-sanctioned boarding schools from the 1880s to the 1980s, Smith adroitly expands our conception of violence to include environmental racism, population control and the widespread appropriation of Indian cultural practices by whites and other non-natives. Smith deftly connects these and other examples of historical and contemporary colonialism to the high rates of violence against Native American women-the most likely women in the United States to die of poverty-related illnesses, be victims of rape and suffer partner abuse. Essential reading for scholars and activists, Conquest is the powerful synthesis of Andrea Smith's intellectual and political work to date. By focusing on the impact of sexual violence on Native American women, Smith articulates an agenda that is compelling to feminists, Native Americans, other people of color and all who are committed to creating viable alternatives to state-based "solutions."
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Average Customer Review:
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Excellent!, 2008-09-22
In this examination of sexual violence used as tool of patriarchy and colonialism in Native American Indian communities, both historically and presently, Andrea Smith leaves no stone unturned.
She spares neither governments for their racist and harmful policies regarding indigenous peoples and the lands they live on, nor feminists and activists for their sometimes racist views and short-sightedness in their zeal to promote and protect their own respective interests. This is a rare treat to have such a carefully researched analysis made accessible in this book, from an academic and activist who is herself a Native American Indian.
Her thorough analysis of Native American Indian women being adversely affected by government policies still tainted by colonialist mentality--such as through nuclear testing on or near Native American Indian reservations by our government, or being used as guinea pigs by pharmaceutical companies testing new drugs, sends one, very clear message: Native American Indians are considered expendable by our government. Reproductive health problems, babies born with health problems, and poor access to health care (often substandard) are only a few issues these women pay dearly for as a result of unfair governmental policies. The police brutality occuring on reservations, or against Native American Indians in general living outside their communities that she researched,is unspeakable. And heartbreaking. It is a shame to have to realize these abuses are happening in the 21st century.
Smith also brings to light the attitudes of other governments, such as Canada and Peru (as well as NATO) toward their own indigenous people: the prevailing consensus is that they are all expendable. Ravish them, sterilize them, use them as subjects without informed consent in medical experiments and new drug testing, rape their land for others' profit, assimilate their children into mainstream society to civilize them by removing them from their families and into boarding schools, take away their rights and dignity, imitate aspects of their culture in the form of New Age spiritualism--or pornography, to save it from extinction...will anyone really notice?
She balances the unpleasant facts with thoughtful suggestions to solve, or at least alleviate, the many abuses and iniquities that the Native American Indian community has suffered for so long. And she provides a resource guide at the end of her book.
This book was at times uncomfortable to read due to the nature of the subject: sexual violence and the injustices inflicted upon Native American women, and their kin in general. But overall, I was excited to read this for its historical, academic, activist, and feminist perspectives; my knowledge of Native American Indians had been stale since before the end of my high school years. Highly recommended!
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
An Eye-Opener, 2008-02-23
This is an extremely informative book; all those dreadful (and politicized) things one hears about the abuse of indigenous peoples' sexuality -- it's even worse than that, and this this book is an articulation of all that. A must-read for those who are interested in correcting the ills of history and the present, in order to be achieving a wholesome society for everyone.
0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
an eye opener, 2007-10-01
Smith delivers a searing critique of mainstream feminism on behalf of one of the world's most oppressed peoples.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
Transcends mainstream understandings of sexual violence, 2007-02-16
Smith's groundbreaking book should be required reading for all rape crisis advocates in North America. Not only does she provide a scholarly examination of the link between colonial genocide and sexual violence, Smith also provides context for contemporary activism and solutions. Forget everything you thought you knew about rape and sexual abuse and be prepared to re-think what it means to be a feminist and advocate. Smith's eloquence and thoughtfulness make reading this text an ideal starting point for dialogue in both academia and grassroots organizations. You will learn about how historical events continue to have an impact today and how the mainstream (white) rape crisis movement has fallen short of providing comprehensive analysis of sexual violence.
14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
 Conquest-Colonization of Natives, 2005-09-28
The first few chapters present the tragedies that America(as well as Canada, etc..) has committed on Native Americans, and while devastating it is real interesting to read about the boarding schools, sterilization, drug experiments, land taken thru treaties, etc...and abuse that Native Americans recieved from the government. I didn't even know about all the issues that Andrea Smith discusses -but I do know. I loved the first few chapters better then the rest!
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