CASE STUDY OPTION 3 – The Twilight Saga and the Quileute Indian Tribe: Opportuni
CASE STUDY OPTION 3 – The Twilight Saga and the Quileute Indian Tribe: Opportunity or Cultural Exploitation
Barbara Leigh Smith, The Evergreen State College, 2010.
Abstract:
This case explores the impact of a blockbuster series of books and
films, “The Twilight Saga,” on the Quileute Indian Tribe and the small
town of Forks, Washington. The Quileute Indian Reservation and the town
of Forks are the setting for the “Twilight” series. Twilight is a story
of teenage love between Bella Swan, and a vampire, Edward Cullen. The
character, Jacob Black, portrayed as a member of the Quileute Tribe and a
werewolf, is also vying for Bella’s affection. Numerous fan clubs have
organized around Club Jacob and Club Edward. The case raises questions
about the impact of popular culture and the dynamics of community
economic development. The case also raises the question about whether
this is a story of opportunity or cultural exploitation?
Twilight
Case Questions (respond to at least four of the following questions –
be sure to copy and paste the questions in your post, and cite/reference
sources)
Is this an instance of cultural appropriation
and/or cultural exploitation and/or opportunity? In what ways and by
whom? Make lists of each.
Who are the key players in this case
and what is their point of view? What’s motivating them? Trace the steps
taken in this case and explain the evolution of their thinking.
When
does free enterprise interfere with cultural sensitivity? Does the fact
that the Twilight stories are fictional allow the author the poetic
license to misrepresent Quileute culture?
How do legal issues
differ (if they do) from issues of fairness in this case? How are
standards of fairness developed and shared? What do you suggest as
appropriate standards of fairness in this case?
Who should take what steps to ensure that fairness is the standard on the issues raised in this case?
Look
up contemporary news related to the Quileute and La Push. Identify at
least one key issue the Tribe is facing the Tribe and Reservation today,
and share more about it.