Yellowstone Review

Yellowstone is a TV Series that is writes about conflicts and struggles of a cattle ranch as they dispute between local Native American tribes, National businessmen and local authorities. The ‘Yellowstone Ranch’ is one of the largest land ranches in Montana and borders a large Native American Reserve. A good portion of the plot is about the Chief of the Native tribe wanting to take back all the land that the Ranch owns, claiming it belonged to their ancestors. Then, to throw more trouble into the mix, businessmen from Utah and California try to buy surrounding land for development for resorts and high-end luxury homes. Throughout the series, there is contradiction due to race, socioeconomic class, power, injustice, crime, gender and much more.

To look at nationality and race, there is a clearly defined narrative that each group in the series wants to push. The ranches want to grow and expand their ranch since ranching is in their roots. The Native Americans want the land to live off and bring back to ancestorial ways. Lastly, the businessmen want the land to profit from. This is a classic example of single story as each person has their perspective. What can we learn from each group and what take a ways are good about their perspective? This issue reminds me of “Black Panther” and the discussion of what Wakanda can do for the world to make it a better place. If these 3 groups in the series look past pride and begin to work together, is there a way to accomplish everyone’s goals?

Lastly, a heavy (and under addressed in the US) in this series is the issue of Native American injustice. “Yellowstone” provides a way to learn about the history of America’s ancestors while providing a way to see their perspective. It provides great insight on how they merge their culture with modern day living. However, it begs the question, if they are merging with modern day culture are they staying true to their culture or is modern day society causing them to blend in and lose their sense of identity? In what ways in our own lives can we identify and help a sub-altern group without erasing who they are at the core?