Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Reading #2 Question 6: Interpret/explore/explain the context and the significance of the quote “Every white person on this rez should get smashed in the face. But let me tell you this. All the Indians should get smashed in the face, too.” (42) (Jackie)
While Junior is on suspension for throwing his geometry book at mr. P, the old teacher comes to visit him at home. He tells Junior that “Every white person on this rez should get smashed in the face. But let me tell you this. All the Indians should get smashed in the face, too.” (42). In this, mr. P is trying to convey to Junior that all of the white people controlling the reservation have done so unfairly without any real consideration for how it affects the Indians living there. Along with that meaning, however, comes the connotation that the Indians living on the rez haven't had any real consideration for themselves. It means that while the white people have treated the Indians very poorly, the Indians themselves have not done anything to change that. This is because time and time again, since Europeans first gained control of Native American land, the message told to Native Americans by white people is that they are of an inferior race. When a group of people is constantly told through generation upon generation that they are not good enough, they start to believe it. They think that "Indians don't deserve shit," and that they shouldn't even have the respect of white people (Alexie 56). In this quote, a strong theme of racism can be found, as well as self-loathing and a lack of self-respect. But this chapter shows us that before others can respect you, you have to respect yourself.
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Mr. P explains his political beliefs about the low standards of living for both the whites and Indians on the reservation in page forty-two. He addresses the inadequate behavior of the whites towards the Indians, and his view that the Indians have poor expectations for their future. While the post above includes much evidence on Mr. P's subject, I disagree with the point made that the Indians have diminished expectations for their living quality. Like his parents, Junior has dreams for a bright future. But also similar to his parents, he knows that his "mother and father had their dreams when they were kids. They dreamed about being something other than poor, but they never got the chance to be anything because nobody paid attention to their dreams" (Page 11). Junior's parents may also have difficulty assisting Junior with his dreams because of their poverty. This loop of poverty affects the Indians throughout the reserve, and prevents them from fleeing to a better life.
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I agree with your post, especially when you say that the Indians have not treated themselves any better. Later, on that page, Mr. P says, "The only thing you kids are being taught is how to give up." (42). This quote agrees with your response, because Mr. P is explaining why the Indians should be smashed, because they give up on themselves, and basically by giving up, they think they don't deserve anything. I agree with your response, because the Indians think they don't deserve anything, becasue they are giving up on themselves. (Brendan).
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