The cutting of my long hair

'Memories of Childhood' brings together two short accounts by women from marginalised communities, who look back on their childhood. The first is by Zitkala-Sa, a Native American woman, who later became a writer and fought for the rights of her people. As a girl, she was sent to a school run by white missionaries, the 'palefaces'.

Everything there was strange and frightening. Loud bells rang for everything. Her feet, used to soft moccasins, were squeezed into stiff shoes, and her body into a tight, immodestly close-fitting dress. At breakfast in the noisy dining hall, she did not know the rules: when a bell rang, she sat when others stood, and began to eat when others prayed. She was watched by a strange paleface woman, and she began to cry.

Her friend Judewin, who knew a little English, warned her that the palefaces were going to cut the girls' long hair. Zitkala-Sa was horrified. Among her people, her mother had taught her, short hair was worn only by mourners, and shingled hair by cowards, or by unskilled warriors captured by the enemy.

Judewin said they would have to submit, because the palefaces were strong. But Zitkala-Sa said, 'No, I will not submit! I will struggle first!' She crept away, went upstairs into a large, dark room, and hid under a bed in a dark corner.

Women searched for her, calling her name. At last they found her, and dragged her out, kicking and scratching. She was carried downstairs and tied fast to a chair. She felt the cold blades of the scissors against her neck, and heard them gnaw off one of her thick braids. She lost her spirit then. She felt she was only one of many little animals driven by a herder, among people who did not care for her.