The use of Sociological Imagination is a significant tool in the understanding of how people (chosen for study) really/truly live. By separating one’s self from the equation, in as much as possible and observe from "ground zero" enables a fantastic opportunity that would otherwise be impossible. This is especially true in such situations where the subjects are very private and protective (and with good reason) of their lives, ways, thoughts and feelings as the Native American people. Through this technique much can be learned and possibly understood through all the differences and the similarities that such a unique people live through. The interpersonal interactions on all scales, socially, economically, jobs, school, diet, health can be observed and used to determine the effect it has on the subjects and then of course applied to the larger society as a whole. The power of this tool to allow the sociologist/observer to connect to/with the chosen subject(s) is invaluable.
After having said that, it all comes to naught if nothing is really done about what was learned, for the subjects as well as the larger society. The Tragic, impossible to believe, ways in which the Lakota have been living is unacceptable. Using sociological imagination to gain knowledge and understanding is NOT enough if we do not make use of the knowledge gained and allow the continued suffering of the people studied. How could this be ethical?! What is the point if nothing is done to correct such tragedy?
A tragedy, that is the suitable word in this case. I really cannot believe that the US has done such horrible thing to these people. The Reservation for me, is a sort zoo for humans, a place to breed a certain category of people. For me, the marginalization of Native Indian Americans led to the poverty of the Reservation. What should have been done was to integrate these people in the first place in the emerging American society. Instead, the Reservation has stopped Indians to improve themselves.
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