Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz is an American historian, writer, and activist known for her work on Indigenous peoples' rights, feminism, and social justice. She serves as professor emeritus in Ethnic Studies at California State University and has published numerous influential books examining American history through critical perspectives. Her most notable work, "An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States" (2014), provides a comprehensive reexamination of U.S. history from Native American perspectives. The book received the American Book Award and has become a significant text in discussions of colonial history and Indigenous rights. Dunbar-Ortiz's autobiographical works include "Red Dirt: Growing Up Okie" (1992) and "Blood on the Border: A Memoir of the Contra Years" (2005), which detail her Oklahoma upbringing and her experiences as an activist. Her academic career has focused on ethnic studies, Native American history, and human rights issues. Born in San Antonio, Texas in 1938 and raised in rural Oklahoma, Dunbar-Ortiz's background has influenced her scholarly work and activism. She has dedicated her career to examining the impacts of colonialism, advocating for Indigenous rights, and contributing to feminist and social justice movements.

Readers value Dunbar-Ortiz's detailed research and perspective on Indigenous peoples' history, particularly in "An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States." Many note her work fills gaps in conventional historical accounts. Positive reviews focus on: - Documentation of specific historical events and policies - Connection of past injustices to present conditions - Clear writing style that makes complex topics accessible Common criticisms include: - Claims of bias and one-sided presentation - Lack of proposed solutions - Repetitive content across books Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: "Indigenous Peoples' History" - 4.3/5 (23,000+ ratings) "Not A Nation of Immigrants" - 4.4/5 (1,000+ ratings) Amazon: "Indigenous Peoples' History" - 4.7/5 (4,800+ ratings) One frequent reader comment: "Changed my understanding of American history, but left me wanting more concrete ways to address these issues." Many academic readers cite the extensive bibliography and notes as valuable research resources.

An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States (2014) A reexamination of U.S. history from Native American perspectives, documenting the impact of settler colonialism and military policies on Indigenous peoples.

Loaded: A Disarming History of the Second Amendment (2018) An historical analysis of the Second Amendment exploring its connections to settler colonialism and the maintenance of racial hierarchies.

Red Dirt: Growing Up Okie (1997) A memoir chronicling the author's experiences growing up in rural Oklahoma during the 1940s and 1950s.

Blood on the Border: A Memoir of the Contra War (2005) A personal account of the author's experiences documenting human rights violations during the Nicaraguan Contra War in the 1980s.

Outlaw Woman: A Memoir of the War Years, 1960-1975 (2002) A firsthand account of the author's involvement in radical feminist organizing and social movements during the 1960s and early 1970s.

Indians of the Americas: Human Rights and Self-Determination (1984) An examination of Indigenous peoples' struggles for sovereignty and self-determination throughout the Americas.

The Great Sioux Nation: Sitting in Judgment on America (1977) A documentation of the 1974 Wounded Knee trials and their significance in Native American legal history.

Roots of Resistance: A History of Land Tenure in New Mexico (2007) An analysis of land ownership patterns and conflicts in New Mexico from Spanish colonial times to the present.

Howard Zinn writes people's history that challenges dominant narratives and examines social movements from ground-level perspectives. His work on American history shares Dunbar-Ortiz's focus on marginalized voices and systemic critique.

Vine Deloria Jr. analyzes Native American history and politics while critiquing Western colonialism and academic anthropology. His combination of scholarly analysis and cultural advocacy parallels Dunbar-Ortiz's approach to Indigenous studies.

Andrea Smith examines colonialism's intersection with gender violence and Indigenous women's experiences. Her work connects feminist theory with Native American studies in ways that align with Dunbar-Ortiz's perspectives on gender and colonization.

Nick Estes writes about Indigenous resistance movements and provides historical analysis of Native American activism. His focus on contemporary Indigenous politics and historical continuity mirrors Dunbar-Ortiz's linking of past and present struggles.

Ward Churchill critiques U.S. policies toward Indigenous peoples and analyzes historical patterns of colonialism. His work examines similar themes of genocide and resistance in Native American history that appear in Dunbar-Ortiz's writings.