American Indian Culture and Research Journal

American Indian stereotypes have varied according to each era's ideological necessities: Anglo-Americans made images of Natives into what they needed at the time. After Anglo-Americans broke from England, they needed a new identity to differentiate themselves from Europeans. The solution was to borrow attributes of American Indians to create an amalgam called "the New Man." This study examines the final (or current) stage in this amalgamation: the white man who can become native at will. Cordell Walker of the television series Walker: Texas Ranger is a half-Cherokee lawman. His "Indianness" is a secret identity that emerges whenever superhuman or spiritual qualities are needed. In addition, the series reflects issues of "American" masculinity: Walker appeared during a period when patriarchy faced cultural and political challenges from the women's movement. The reactionary political and religious ramifications of the television series are also examined.