Indian Cartography by Deborah Miranda

“Indian Cartography” by Deborah Miranda gives a vivid image of what society used to be like in California. Cartography is a way of making geographical maps in its literal definition, as also stated by Kalida Jordan. A lot of history in California has been subsided and removed through natural and physical ways. This poem depicts the landscape that California once had, and gives us an idea of how it was shifted to what present day California really is. It represents the ideology that Native Americans were replaced in their own land by what our modern society consists of. Another aspect of this poem hints at discrimination towards Native Americans and their displacement. Unfortunately, this previous Indian land is no longer recognizable due to what our society has done to it (by creating entertainment industries, shopping centers, etc) There is no longer any natural beauty to the land.