identity politics on the road
Pow Wow Highway is a good example of the attempt to repoliticize the road by introducing identity politics. The two protagonists are Native American men who set out to reaffirm and establish a political identity, as well as a spiritual identity. Throughout the film they are still marginalized by White people, particularly cops, however they always overcome as the road is their vehicle of non assimilation. While the white police officers treat Buddy's sister unfairly, the film makes a point of Buddy and, particularly Philbert, triumphing over the injustice and marginalization of minorities in traditional hollywood. They spring Bonnie out of jail with the ever faithful "pony," mocking the white officers and criminal justice system. They manage to speed away in the "pony" until the breaks give out. The dramatic scene in which they all think Philbert is dead as they watch the "pony" in flames, furthers the notion of the racialized other able to triumph on the road. Philbert walks out unscathed and it is at this point we realize that they may not have reached a destination but they've achieved spiritual identity, particularly Philbert.