Black Cloud (2004)

While I was watching another movie called Black Cloud (2004), I once more noticed the issue that was also present in the previous movie (Smoke Signals, 1998), namely, a strong dislike for White people that American Indians are likely to have. I cannot say for sure that this attitude is present among Native Americans for real, as I am still in search of some scholarly materials that will shed a light on this matter. However, I would like to show the reason why I am concerned about those relations between American Indians and White people.

Black Cloud is a story about a young Native American boxer, an eponymous Black Cloud, who grew up in domestic violence, but constantly trying to come to terms with his family and his heritage. One day, after boxing match, a young man is being offered an Olympic tryout in Las Vegas by an Olympic Scout named Norm Olsen. That is where the Native Americans' dislike for White people is shown for the first time in the movie.

This is the dialogue between Black Cloud and Olsen after he presented his offer to the boy:

Black Cloud: Aw, forget it. l ain't interested.

Olsen: Well, why's that?

Black Cloud: Because it's lies. It always is.

Olsen: l'm sorry. l'm not following you.

Black Cloud: And why should l fight for your nation... when all you've done is murder and imprison my people, huh?

This scene shows clearly that Black Cloud is reluctant to accept the offer only because of his prejudices towards White people and he is brooding over what they did to Native Americans in the past. In the end, he accepts the offer but raises a point that he will do it only for a Navajo nation.

The issue of unwillingness towards White people is also noticeable in Black Cloud's reaction on finding out that his blood is diluted – in his certificate of an Indian blood, there is written that his great grandfather came from Germany.

When talking with his girlfriend on this matter:

Sammy: Are you gonna be OK?

Black Cloud: I'm gonna be fine.

Sammy: It doesn't matter to me, Black Cloud.

Black Cloud: lt matters to me. (…) lf you don't want to be with me, I'll understand.

He obviously thinks that it is shameful to be of mixed blood.

Next day, when Black Cloud is looking for the keys, he tells his father that he knows about White Wolf (the German great grandfather whose real name was Hans Schroeder) and claims that his family is cursed.

I was alarmed to discover the strong dislike for White People in the movie, that is why I decided to raise this point and search for some materials to find out whether it is true.