Summary Of A Different Mirror By Ronald Takaki

In many situations, a society’s development requires challenging traditional ideas and forcing a paradigm shift. Just like Nicolaus Copernicus proposed that the earth orbits the sun, not vice versa, Ronald Takaki also challenges a traditional version of history which he calls “The Master Narrative”. In his book “a Different Mirror” chapter N.7 “Foreigners in their Native Land”, Takaki tells the story and explains how the westward expansion of the United States was a brutal event that affected the Mexican and Native communities rather than a heroic achievement from the United States government. In this document, he also portrays the willingness of the US to appeal to warlike movements as long as they are required to achieve their goals, which …show more content…

It is evident that from their point of view, the American ideals were only valid and reasonable as long as they benefited the American society only; otherwise, Mexico would’ve kept the land they owned after their independence from Spain and before the American invasion. Takaki also states “A striking contrast to the Americans, Vallejo was educated and cultured, the possessor of a vast library” (Takaki 159). This perception of the Mexican communities is what, as previously stated, Ronald Takaki calls The Master Narrative, which refers to the traditional narration of history that portrays the American as a superior white-only society that has heroically accomplished what they own and are today, where the minorities, meaning black and native communities mostly are depicted as savages, barbarous, and