Trials and Tribulations To Reach Diversity

Diversity is not a characteristic of life; It is a condition necessary of life…. Like air and water - Barry Lopez

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“If you let you people into your life a little bit ,they can be pretty damn amazing (Alexie 129) This is a quote from the book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian published in 2007 .This book highlights racism, the struggles of going through puberty and death in the family .This book takes place in Reardan, Washington. The main Character, Arnold is 14 year old “Indian” boy who lives on a reservation with his parents ,grandmother, sister and his friend Rowdy. Arnold decides he wants to go to a all white school off the Rez which is “forbidden’ so he is shunned by his best friend and his community. Throughout this book the author has many examples of what Vandana Shiva suggests is “Making peace with diversity” for a sustainable future.

For example, Arnold befriends Roger a racist classmate of his by standing up to him. ”Hey,Chief,” Roger said.”You want to hear a joke?” ““Sure,” I said. “Did you know that indians are living proof that niggers fuck buffalo?” “And I knew I had to do something big. I couldn’t let them get away with that shit. I wasn’t just defending myself. I was defending Indians, black people, and buffalo. So I punched Roger in the face. ( Alexie 64 -65). Arnold proved his worth to Roger by standing up to him in front of Roger’s friends which earns his respect.

In addition, to Roger befriending him. Roger helps Arnold out when he lies to his girlfriend about being rich by giving him money. Which shows that Roger has grew as a person. He is accepting Arnold even asking him to join the basketball team. “Yeah, You’re right, dude. It’s none of my business. Hey man are you trying out for basketball?” “ But the things is, my stomach is all messed up because I,er, forgot my wallet. I left my money at home,man.” “He opened his wallet and handed me forty bucks.” “Roger was the one who guessed you were poor” she said. (Alexie 126-127)

Thirdly, Roger and his teammates defended him when he got concussion from his old friend Rowdy at a basketball game on the “Rez” . This means that Roger not only respect him but values him as a friend enough to defend him.” I jumped into the air,heard the curses of two hundred Spokanes, and then saw only a bright light as rowdy smashed his elbow into my head and knocked me unconscious.” After rowdy knocked me out, both of our teams got into a shoving matches and push- fights.” (Alexie 146).

Lastly, Roger stands up for him after his grandmother dies, he has been gone for a few weeks trying to cope with his lose and he finally returns and his teacher greets him with rude remarks . “Oh class,” she said.” We have a special guest today. It’s Arnold Spirit. I didn’t realize you still went to this school, Mr. Spirit.” “What did you just say?” I asked her “ You really shouldn’t be missing class this much,” she said. “Penelope stood and dropped her textbook.And then Roger stood and dropped his textbook.Whomp! And then the other basketball players did the same” (Alexie 175).

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part- Time Indian was banned . Parents think that the book is inappropriate because it talks about sexual content, it is anti- Christian and the bad language Drugs and alcohol as long as saying it wasn’t meant for kids to read in 2014. 

In conclusion, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part- Time Indian shouldn’t have been banned because this book teaches what it is like to deal with life situations like bullying ,death in the family, and sex. The parents that got the booked banned might not have wanted them to read about but, they would have to learn about anyway in middle and high school. I do not believe that this book is anti - christian because everybody has doubts even in their own religion the main character didn’t say he didn’t believe god. I believe that Alexie is a good writer and I really enjoyed this book, the very first time I read I was going through a rough patch where I didn’t care about school or my work and my family were very worried this book made it better for me because of the humor.

Citations: 

Shmoop Editorial Team. "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian." Shmoop. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.

Schaub, Michael. "The Most Banned and Challenged Books of 2014." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 14. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.

Burkhalter, Aaron. "The Absolutely True Story of Banned Books." The Absolutely True Story of Banned Books. 23 Sept. 15. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.

Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian. New York: Little, Brown, 2007. Print.