POST 15: INDIVIDUAL DOCUMENT AS ILLUSTRATION OF 'SPACES & EXCHANGES' NOTION

Drawn by Lalo Alcaraz in 2002, this cartoon was distributed by "Universal Press Syndicate" - it was an independent press syndicate - in order to denounce the way US people consider Native Americans cause. The artist is an American cartoonist most known for being the author of the comic La Cucaracha which has become one of the most controversial in the history of American comic strips. 

American history is marked by the conquest of the West, which was a period in which settlers arrived in a new space and forced those already inhabiting the territories to adapt to themselves.

This cartoon is a clear criticism of how American people are misinformed on the Native American cause and have many clichés on it. It is exemplified by the way the right-side character bers the typical war-paintings associated with Native American warriors.

Moreover Indian culture has become something commercial and ,worst of all, a reason to disguise on Halloween or Carnival - as shown by the way the American is dressed up, a feather hat and tomahawk earrings.

Also, we can see the disregard they have for this cause - and how they use it as a distraction - because the American has painted on himself some mottos as some sports fans would do, he has also a drink in his hand and a flag in his other hand. The inscriptions he has painted also have a very cliché meaning as it is "Kill 'em", which is not a very elaborated message.

The document illustrates well the notion of Spaces & Exchanges as it refers to the Cultural Shock that may happen when two different cultures meet each other. Indeed, it involves a change of area and also a lot of exchanges !

This picture shows a true encounter between a Native American and an Indian fan. It is very relevant and a bit incredible because it's exactly the same situation as in the cartoon, yet it is not a set up.