Bama took a long time to walk home from school because she wanted to avoid the humiliation of seeing the upper-caste people who mocked and disrespected her community. As she walked slowly, she would often delay her return to avoid ...

Bama’s real name is Bama itself; however, she is also referred to as Bama in the story, a name that reflects her Tamil roots and cultural background. In the story “Memories of Childhood” (from the second part), Bama recounts her ...

Cutting Zitkala-Šá’s hair was traumatic for her because it symbolized the loss of her cultural identity and connection to her Native American heritage. In her culture, long hair was a source of pride and strength, and the act of cutting ...

In “The Cutting of My Long Hair,” Zitkala-Šá was forced to undergo the cultural practice of having her long, cherished hair cut off. This act deeply upset her as it was a symbol of her Native American identity and pride. ...