Assignment #2~Indigenous Rights Essay

Who owns culture? Do the indigenous peoples have the right to keep it to themselves, or do scholars and researchers have the right to publish other people's cultures? There are multiple opinions on these questions, and I'm going to give you mine.

I believe that every person, in every culture, has a right to privacy. I believe people have the right to refuse to give information to any researcher they choose. If a researcher does something to make themselves untrustworthy in another person's eyes, then they have every right to be cautious. This point especially applies to one's culture and way of life. If they feel disclosing information will be a threat to the way they live, then so be it for them to keep their mouths shut.

On the other hand, some indigenous peoples have become too cautious, and are keeping any information on their culture shut from all ears. I do believe there is a benefit for these peoples to share culutral information with people who want to educate others on it. Researchers who really just want to learn more and pass their knowledge on to others. I realize seeking these people out from all the others is a hard task, but it is beneficial to all when it does happen.

In conclusion, indigenous peoples have the right to keep their culture to themselves. After all, it is their culture, not the researcher's. Though it is beneficial to learn about cultures from all over the world, it is the choice of the people, whose culture it is, to share it with the world or not.

As always...
Peace out...
Rock on...
Do whatever it is you do!

Cassie :)