Memories of Childhood
by Zitkala-Sa & Bama
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This chapter presents two autobiographical accounts by women from two different marginalised cultures, a Native American and a Tamil Dalit, who look back on their childhood experiences of oppression, and on their early resistance. In the first, 'The Cutting of My Long Hair', Zitkala-Sa describes her first bitterly cold day at the Carlisle Indian School, where the authorities forcibly cut off her long hair, a deep humiliation, since in her culture short hair was worn only by cowards, mourners and captured warriors. She resists by hiding and struggling, but is dragged out, tied to a chair and shorn, losing her spirit and feeling reduced to 'one of many little animals driven by a herder'. In the second, 'We Too are Human Beings', Bama recalls how, as a young Dalit girl, she was amused walking home until she saw an elder of her community carrying a packet of snacks by its string, holding it out to a landlord without touching it, a sign of untouchability that filled her with anger and humiliation once her brother explained it. Her brother urges her that education is the way to overcome this indignity and win respect, and Bama studies hard, tops her class, and wins friends, showing how both women fight the discrimination imposed on them.
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The chapter juxtaposes two women's childhood memories of oppression, one by a racist, one by a caste-based society, and shows the beginnings of their spirited resistance to injustice.
The Cutting of My Long Hair (Zitkala-Sa)
On her first, bitterly cold day at the Carlisle Indian School, Zitkala-Sa feels lost amid the loud bells, whirring machines and strange 'clatter of shoes'. She learns that the authorities intend to cut her long, heavy hair, an act of deep shame in her culture, where shingled hair marked cowards, mourners and captured warriors.
Zitkala-Sa's resistance
Determined to resist, she hides under a bed in a dark room, but is found, dragged out, tied fast to a chair, and her hair is cut off despite her struggles and cries. She feels utterly humiliated and broken in spirit, like 'one of many little animals driven by a herder', mourning the loss of her identity and dignity.
We Too are Human Beings (Bama)
Bama, a young Tamil Dalit girl, describes her cheerful, distracted walk home from school through the bazaar. Her mood changes when she sees an elder of her own community carrying a small packet of snacks by its string, holding it out respectfully to an upper-caste landlord, careful not to touch it, so as not to 'pollute' it.
Bama's awakening and resolve
At first amused, Bama is filled with anger and humiliation when her elder brother explains that this is a sign of untouchability, the elder was showing servility because of his low caste. Her brother tells her that the only way to overcome such indignity and earn respect is through education. Inspired, Bama studies hard, stands first in her class, and finds that people then come to her willingly in friendship.