A "smart Indian" is dangerous because they are feared and ridiculed by Indians and non-Indians. They are expected to be submissive. Indian children were expected to fail in the non-Indian world. The children would stay quiet in the class room; with their head down. The children that failed were ceremonially accepted by other Indians and pitied on by non-Indians. This really sad because these children were forced to not learn. If they did, they would be reprimaned for it. It was not the norm to want to learn to read. Children want to be accepted by others so they just followed the tradition.
A smart Indian would be considered dangerous to everyone because they would be fighting with classmates on a daily basis and they would stand up to The non-Indian teachers. This was not good because they were expected to be stupid and submissive. This was their way of life. Nobody disobeyed the traditions. Children are innocent and all they really want is to be excepted by their peers. So, most children didn't challenge that tradition.
The little boy refused to fail. He was smart. He was arrogant. He was lucky. He read books every minute of everyday where he had free time. He wanted to be smart. As he says "I am trying to save my life". He is amazing! This little boy was determined to make something of himself, which he did. He knew that reading is the foundation of all education. He also grew up to help all other children. He knows the true meaning of reading is our foundation to our future and we are all very fortunate to have not grown up on the Indian children reservation. After reading this, it makes me feel very fortunate for my life:-)
A smart Indian was feared. It is kind of interesting as I think back to my childhood in school. I remember kids being ridiculed by other kids for being smart. I used to do what the Indian children do. I would not show how smart I was when I was at school. I'm still not sure which question I want to answer. I either want to answer the question of why a smart Indian is a dangerous person or what being smart means in today's U.S. Society. I would like to figure out more of why a smart Indian was considered a dangerous person. The reading didn't really explain why they were considered dangerous. This may take some critical thinking.
ReplyDeleteHi Michele,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response. You are absolutely right about the article not having enough information about why a smart indian is a dangerous person. If I was going to choose another topic I would choose what a smart person means in today's society. I think there is much more to write about. Good luck!
Hi Dina,
ReplyDeleteI have to say that it breaks my heart that any child Indian or not would feel that they were expected to fail just because of their ethnicity. Then to think that the other Indian children would accept; them only if they themselves failed. Wow, talk about peer pressure, I cannot imagine sitting there want to learn but know if I did or even made an attempt that I would be shut out. You know I love the fact that no matter how hard some people try to hold others back there is always one person who say NO!! Alexie was that one person. So was his dad for that matter, he saw his dad love or reading and that is where it all began. One person can change many people’s lives, that is just what Alexie did, he didn’t care what anyone thought he did what his heart loved to do and that was read from their he began to write. There was nothing that was going to hold him back. Then Alexie did not stop there he took it to his people and the multitude loved him for it. Did he reach everyone no but the ones who wanted it he was there to teach them? I have to call him one smart Indian. I like you feel very fortunate to have been raised knowing that the world is my oyster.
Hi Dina,
ReplyDeleteI don't know about you but this questions was a little tough to answer. Since he only mentioned that "smart Indians" would be considored dangerous but would not say exactly in what way. This really opened a lot of things to think about for me to come up with ways as to what he meant. I guess we had to read in between the lines to get the answers without him having to tell us exactly what it is. It is upsetting that many people have to go through this being Indian or not because I remember in High School how many kids in my class would pick on the geek in the class not realizing that this person could be the next Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerburg.
Hi Dina -
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons why Indian children who are educated are viewed as dangerous by their peers, is possibly because in the late 1800's the Europeans removed the Indian children from their families to gain an "education". They forced them to dismiss their own customs and language. They created a hostility towards societies form of education. This hostility spread from generation to generation. The children most likely viewed other Indian children who wanted to gain an education as outsiders. I believe Alexie showed an example to the children that in current society, to gain an education no longer represents an Indian going against their culture.
Thank you,
Sarah Baker
It's sad to think that Indians are viewed as a 'type' and that other people see them as ones who can't become anything because of their ethical background. But I found it comforting that all it takes is one single person to be able to stand up and make a difference for the rest of the community or society. And because of this one person it changed the outlook on Indians since. I agree with you when you said it makes you feel more fortunate for the life we have here. Not only because we have much more resources but also because we have more to look forward too and more support around us from our peers in todays society.
ReplyDeleteHi Dina.I agree,it is sad these children were forced to not learn,and got punished in a way if they did.You did a great job answering the question.
ReplyDelete-Samantha Nichols
You're very right when it comes to the fact that Indians and 3rd world countries were treated and are still treated like trash today. They are expected to fail in life and when they finally do succeed they are given no credit for the work that they put themselves through. We have it so easy here in America and are given so many opportunities to succeed but we take advantage of that fact.
ReplyDelete(: Hi Dina,
ReplyDeleteI agree that what he did was amazing. Teaching himself how to better his life is special. He was so determined to do it, and he did. And I love that he taught others to do the same, by finding themselves.
Dina
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty sad that the children just accepted the fact that they would fail. Even more so that the community accepted it growing up I was pushed by everyone to do good in school and go to college. At the very least it is good that this man was self motivated enough to improve his education. It proves that if you work hard at something you can succeed. I think it cool that he goes back to maybe just help that one kid improve themselves.