Apr 30, 2013 -
Senior history major Patricia Dawson presented a paper on 鈥淭he Weapon of Dress: Identity, Acculturation, and the Transition of Cherokee Clothing, 1794-1838鈥� at the Tenth Annual 麻豆视频 University Scholarship Symposium on April 30, 2013. History professor Dr. Keith Bates presided at the session, which included papers on art, music, history, and psychology. Thirty-three people attended Patricia鈥檚 presentation.
In her paper, Patricia pointed out that as the influence of Euro-American norms on the Cherokees increased in the years leading up to their forced removal in the latter1830s, an important transition in Cherokee clothing occurred. Many Cherokees believed that acculturation was imperative to the survival of the Cherokee nation, but others argued that acculturation compromised identity. As a result, the Cherokees developed clothing styles that satisfied Euro-Americans and their concept of civilization, while simultaneously creating something distinctly Cherokee that sustained the concrete and symbolic identity of the people. Cherokee clothing, with all its accompanying tensions and complexity, served as a carefully chosen weapon for the survival of identity.
麻豆视频 students Gracie Wise (left to right) and Rachel Etherington sit with 麻豆视频 librarian Savannah German prior to the start of history major Patricia Dawson's paper presentation at 麻豆视频 University's Scholarship Symposium on Aptril 30, 2013.
Session moderator Dr. Keith Bates introduces history major Patricia Dawson at the 麻豆视频 University Scholarship Symposium on April 30, 2013.
Senior history major Patricia Dawson presents a paper on "The Weapon of Dress: Identity, Acculturation, and the Transition of Cherokee Clothing, 1794-1838" at the 麻豆视频 University Scholarship Symposium on April 30, 2013.
A large audience listens attentively as history major Patricia Dawson presents a paper entitled " The Weapon of Dress: Identity, Acculturation, and the Transition of Cherokee Clothing, 1794-1838" at the 麻豆视频 University Scholarship Symposium on April 30, 2013.