I'm Native American and I got an offer to work at a casino. Great pay, great benefits and I need the money. But every time I walk in to the casino I feel like my culture is being spit on. I'm 19, so I can't gamble anyways and do I really wanna be that kinda of Native.......what happened to my culture? But the question I wanna ask is should I take the job?
2006-10-09 06:54:58 · 8 answers · asked by bigbearquest 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
You are young and probably still an idealist. The reality is that if it is a good job you probably should take it. If you do not take the job, it does not change anything about your culture. It will just mean you passed up a good job.
If, however, taking the job would make you miserable on a daily basis due to your idealism, then I would say don't take it. Life is too short to be miserable.
I think that it may be more helpful to you to do something positive to bring your culture to the forefront of your life. Try talking to your elders and learning more about your culture. Maybe you can learn some of your cultures arts etc.
Anyway, Have a great day. I hope i helped. I did not (by the way) mean anything derogatory by saying you are an idealist.
2006-10-09 06:59:51 · answer #1 · answered by Nikki Tesla 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Do you have other choices for a job? If not, take the job.
I would look at it this way -- the casino would be your job. Most people's jobs don't reflect their heritage or culture, they are just jobs, and the people who work them live and celebrate their culture and heritage in other ways, outside their job.
I think the choice should be easier for you as an individual than it is for a tribe, in deciding whether to open a casino. Tribal casinos do much good, by bringing in money, the importance of which cannot be underestimated, and they do so now because tribes have a limited monopoly on gambling in much of the country. But there is no question that money in general and casinos themselves erode traditional culture.
But for you -- the casino is there. I think if you make it your personal goal to demonstarte that you can work in the casino and still honor the traditional ways in your life, you will make a great contribution.
And if you ultimately find that you can't strike that balance, you can always quite the casino, and you'll have made some money in the meantime to make things easier.
2006-10-09 14:03:00 · answer #2 · answered by C_Bar 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like the first response. I respect your attitude.
May I offer this though: You need to get a good job with good benefits. Idealism does not pay your car loan or rent. As for what happened to your culture, it was damaged nearly beyond repair by invaders. That's a matter of historical record which is sad and it sucks. But, like every person, you have to work with your life FROM THIS DAY FORWARD.
Life is compromise. I'd like to be a mural painter. But I am a commercial artist. When I start to feel bad about this, I remember how lucky I am to even be able to do what I do, that is even tangentially related to my ambition of long ago. Life is compromise.
When you are older and wealthier and more empowered, maybe you can start a college fund for young people, or make a mark on your culture in some positive way. But for now, try to GET to that empowered position. Take the check; cash it.
2006-10-09 14:09:36 · answer #3 · answered by martino 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Undeniably many, many wrongs were committed against Native Americans, but you must face reality as it exists today. Why not take the job, earn some good money and devote much of your time, passion, and some of that money towards helping correct some of those wrongs. You will never be able to undo them completely, but you can make a difference. If you are too uncomfortable after taking the job, leave it and say you tried.
2006-10-09 14:06:16 · answer #4 · answered by mickeyg1958 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd say Indian casinos are pay back by the non-Indians for all the land that was illegal taken from your tribe. Even if your tribe makes millions, its probably only a fraction of the worth that the original land base taken from you is worth, even tho i know tribes had no concept of land ownership....(how can the Mother Earth be owned). The only negative i've seen is the corrupt councils that use the money for themselves and not for their people (such as putting it into better health care, education, etc.) I wish my tribe had a casino, but here in Nevada, our rez can't compete, so we rely on our Smokeshops.
2006-10-09 17:31:22 · answer #5 · answered by Its not me Its u 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your people are not being spit upon. I am a white male, but I agree with what the native Americans are doing. White people took your people's land, so why not take their money? So the answer to your question in my opinion is yes, go for it, take the job.
2006-10-09 14:04:07 · answer #6 · answered by shippmarcus 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u can only clean dirt if u get ur hands dirty. i suggest u work and find out what things u don't like about working at casino. u have to first find out the reason why things are happening then u can correct it if at all is possible
Good luck
2006-10-09 14:01:51 · answer #7 · answered by vick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you have already made that decision. If you feel like it is compromising your culture then I think you should not take the job.
2006-10-09 14:17:43 · answer #8 · answered by slingshot 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋