Bad Indians is a mixed-genre book by Deborah Miranda that explores an Indian tribe that used to reside in California before they were eventually destroyed. In the 1950s, the United States government was running an atrocious program that was meant to completely purge the cultural heritage and values of native Indians. The program forcefully relocated thousands of native children to missionary schools and Midwest cities where they were meant to be educated and indoctrinated into the American way of thinking and living.
Through oral communication, newspaper highlights, audio recordings, words of poetry and personal entries, Miranda manages to tell the story of Native Indians from California who lived there during the Spanish migration into the west. Commencing in 1770, the book details the arrival, settlement of Spanish people along the coast of California, eradication, and extinction of Indian culture.
Miranda explores the forms of teaching that the natives were subjected to. The missionary schools intentionally ignored the history of native Indians and focused more on the fabricated history of America. She uses recorded literature from her mother that details their lineage and genealogy. Miranda attempts to relate her struggles in life to the devastation that her people had to go through at the hands of the government.
The use of poetry is commendable as Miranda tries to correct history and set the record straight. Miranda exposes the atrocities committed by settlers in California. While growing up, Miranda was raised by irresponsible parents who’d often abandon and terrorize her. As she finally connects to her roots, she learns to let go of some toxic feelings and hurt that had tormented her for so long.
