We'll be talking about this, and other things, in class. Here are a few things to think about as you're reading. You're welcome to start the conversation below in the comments section (for possible extra credit), or to just keep these queries in mind while reading, as these are some of the points for our discussion:
1. What was expected of Alexie as a child growing up? How did this influence who he is as a man today? Can you think of examples from your past where expectations (either positive or negative) shaped you?
2. How would you define literacy? How does Alexie define it?
3. Who are Alexie's literary role models? How might his life have been different had he had access to more powerful literary role models?
4. Why does Alexie feel that books saved his life? Do you agree with him?
Watching this video will hopefully give you some context to Alexie's experience. It's short, and we'll be watching it in class too if we have time.
Feel free to discuss the reading below.
Here are our talking points for class:
Richardson writes that common sense myths about writing are pernicious. Do you think Alexie would agree? Why or why not?
Alexie claims that Indian children were "expected to be stupid." Explain in a paragraph or two how expectations can impact children's literacy learning. Can you think of any examples from your own childhood where expectations of you, either postive or negative, shaped what you did or didn't do? Feel free to share these thoughts below, too.
I find it very interesting that Alexie decided to love books because his father loved books. I can identify with him in this area. My father did not necessarily love books but he taught me to read the summer before I started kindergarten. Reading became something my father and I did together. After his death reading was a way for me to feel close to him. I think that for Alexie, reading had a personal aspect and was not just about literacy.
ReplyDeleteIndians, during Alexie's elementary through highschool period, were thought of as unintelligent people who weren't going to get anywhere in their life no matter what they do. Thats what was "expected" by most people living during that time. Because of Alexie's great interest in reading, and excellence in academics and basketball, it seemed by that point he was going to be successful no matter what he decided to do. Now that he has the power, recognition, and interest, he is able to help Native American children understand that no matter what stereotypes they may face about their culture, they can still do whatever it is they please through hard work and patience. I have been through good times and bad. Stereotypes have affected me some of the time, but I feel, going through those hard times made me the person I am today, and I wouldn't change anything for that reason.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting point, Ahmad! Yeah, I think we tend to think of stereotypes has being harmful, but you seem to suggest that in your case (and Alexie's, too) that there's this spirit of succeeding in spite of them. Do you all think Alexie would be the successful author he is today if he didn't grow up on a reservation?
DeleteAlexie was expected to be dumb compared to other race kids because he was indian. That misconception people had about him actually made him who he is today because he overcame the barriers society imposed to him. Though I cannot relate entirely to his situation up to that extreme, I am aware of the many misconceptions that still poisions our society in terms of race.
ReplyDeleteLiteracy was what saved Alexie's life. His literary rode model was his father who got every book he could acquire and had their house filled with books in every corner. All of that book environment motivated Alexie to want to learn to read and gave him great curiosity. Throughout the years, all of the knowledge books gave him, I believe opened his eyes to the world and to everything he could be. That is why that Indian misconception could not get the best of him because he knew better. He knew he could be successful if he worked hard for it, something Indian kids may still think they cannot acquire. I believe books did saved his life because they opened many doors for him to get to be more than what he was "supposed" to be.
What I believe is the best from all of this is that he is sharing the power books gave him to help other kids, just like him, by exposing this misconception and open their minds to everything the world has to offer.
Good point, Maria!
DeleteYeah, I think that's where the power of his experience lies, in that other people can relate to it. Alexie does a great job of illustrating how these misconceptions about specific groups of people can even become norms (someone said that in class, I don't remember who, but it was really well put!).
I think part of the trick of doing good research is recognizing these "misconceptions" and examining them, kind of like Richardson does. But they're so hard to see, right? Especially when we begin to think of them as norms, as part of our own thought processes. Hard to see the forest from the trees?
I believe the students who sat in the back of the class were probably not necessarily "dumb". I think because of the myths, it encouraged the native students not to look at the abilities or intelligence they most likely had. Or maybe even, they did have tremendous skill but failed to see that because of the negative feedback their fellow classmates gave them. I think that's why Alexie succeeded, because he managed to see his talent and was able to have the confidence in himself and his intelligence to sit in the front of the class.
ReplyDelete