LSAT 102, Section 1, RC Passage 3, Intertribalism

RC Passage 3 Explanation

Paragraph Summaries

1. Some scholars (Pan-Indians) say that inter-tribal powwows are the beginning of the end for Native American culture.
2. Pan-Indian scholars ignore that many local customs are being revived, at the same time that inter-tribal powwows are increasing.
3. Pan-Indianism is based on the unproven assumption that minority cultures will assimilate once they contact the majority culture.
4. Native Americans distinguish between tribal and intertribal dances.
5. Tribalism remains strong, while intertribalism helps protect tribes from outside threats.

Analysis

There are a few key terms you need to be clear on to understand this passage.

First, tribal. This means any traditional function that belongs to a local tribe. So if a Nevada tribe has a certain dance, then that’s a tribal dance.

Intertribal describes the dances and traditions that are developing amongst modern tribes. For example, if tribes from several states meet, their dance is likely intertribal.

The “Pan-Indian” scholars think that the growth in inter-tribalism means that local tribal traditions will die out. Eventually, intertribalism will die out too, and Natives Americans will join the majority culture.

The author points out that tribal traditions are growing, not shrinking. It’s possible that tribalism and intertribalism strengthen each other.

This passage covers a lot of ground. It’s very important to make a short summary of each paragraph, and to think about why the author says what he says. It’s all part of an argument to disprove the Pan-Indian scholars.