https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/cultural-survival-vs-forced-assimilation-renewed-war

The Ethnologue, published by SIL International, estimates that of over two million American Indians in the U.S., only 361,978 speak one of the remaining 154 indigenous languages, many by elderly speakers. This is about half the number of languages spoken in 1492 when what would become the United States was first encountered. At one extreme, seven languages are spoken by only one person each, while 148,530 of an estimated 250,000 Navajos speak their Diné language. Unlike other minority languages in the U.S., American Indian languages are rapidly disappearing. Isolation on reservations has historically helped preserve these languages, but now, increased access to media is causing younger generations to learn English at the expense of their native tongues. Language is central to American Indian identity; many believe one cannot truly be Navajo, Apache, or Crow without speaking their tribal language. The survival of languages like Navajo is strongest among older speakers and in local governance and religious contexts. Sadly, contemporary perceptions cast tribal languages as "old-fashioned" and "uncool," leading to youth being raised to speak only English. If this trend continues, remaining languages may be extinct in a generation. The push for English as the official language of the U.S. exacerbates this issue, promoting laws that restrict the use of other languages. The 2000 Arizona Proposition 203 aimed at ending bilingual education significantly threatened tribal languages, despite opposition from many experts. Navajo Nation President Kelsey Begaye emphasized the essential role of the Navajo language in cultural preservation. The past government policy of enforcing English-only instruction further harmed language retention. The Civil Rights Movement led to policies like the 1968 Bilingual Education Act, which aimed to support language rights for ethnic minorities. Although this led to some teaching of non-English languages, proponents argue more time is needed to foster fluency. Efforts to revive indigenous languages occur outside of schools through community initiatives and the establishment of tribal colleges, emphasizing cultural preservation. Critics of English-only policies argue they undermine minority rights and cultures, as the dominance of English is not in jeopardy. As American Indian languages fade, so too does the wisdom and culture contained within them, significantly impacting community integrity and identity. Language loss can lead to increased social issues among youth searching for belonging. A robust revival of American Indian languages and cultures is seen as crucial for maintaining community identity and values.

Franz Boas, often regarded as the father of American anthropology, championed the idea of cultural relativism, which asserts that a person's beliefs and practices should be understood in the context of their own culture, rather than judged against the standards of another culture. This stands in stark contrast to social Darwinism, a theory that misapplies the concept of 'survival of the fittest' to cultures, suggesting that some cultures are inherently superior to others. Social Darwinism historically justified colonialism and the oppression of indigenous peoples by framing them as ‘less evolved’ or ‘primitive’ compared to Western societies.

Cultural assimilation, particularly for recent immigrants and American Indians, involves the process whereby individuals from non-dominant cultures are pressured to adopt the customs, beliefs, and language of the mainstream American culture. While assimilation may provide access to social and economic opportunities, it often comes at the cost of one's cultural identity. For instance, the historical boarding school system aimed at American Indian children enforced English-only education and prohibited the use of native languages, erasing significant aspects of their cultural heritage.

Ethnocentrism, the belief that one’s culture is superior to others, can manifest in various ways in contemporary media. For example, news coverage that depicts immigrant communities as burdens on society often reflects a prejudiced viewpoint. Similarly, reality shows that trivialize or stereotype certain cultural practices contribute to a broader narrative that promotes cultural superiority. These representations can perpetuate biases, making it crucial to recognize and challenge ethnocentrism in order to foster a more equitable society where cultural diversity is celebrated rather than suppressed.