King of the Hill - Cannibal Savages

This clip, from King of the Hill, addresses the historicity and savagery claims for Native Americans. In the clip, Bobby Hill celebrates Thanksgiving with a traditional Native meal, relishing in the more gruesome aspects of a historic culture. Meanwhile, all the other party-goers react to the disturbing discussions of cannibalism, et al. while John Redcorn (the native american present) uncomfortably tries to hide himself.

Disturbing acts Native Americans participated in that may shock modern sensibilities did occur. Likely, there were cannibalistic groups, etc. However, that is a thing of the past; people accusingly glancing towards Redcorn as if he is a part of the practice today. The scene concludes with teenage Joseph saying to Redcorn: "Oh man, you eat people?"

The intolerance manifests in the fact that many seem unable to separate history with the present. The question was not: 'your people were cannibalistic 500 years ago?' but was very much 'you eat people?' as in today, the present. The idea that Native Americans have held the exact same beliefs and practices today that they did sense their tribes conception is absurd. Not only does that suggest that they are the same group from past history, but more dangerously asserts that Native Americans have made no progress in their society in any field.