A Book Can Do You No Damage, A Students View on the Banning of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian in Crook County, Oregon
“I write in blood because I remember what it feels like to bleed.”
-Sherman Alexie, “Why the Best Kids’ Books are Written in Blood”
“I write in blood because I remember what it feels like to bleed.”
-Sherman Alexie, “Why the Best Kids’ Books are Written in Blood”
I am a seventeen year old girl in 2013. Supposedly the year that everything is supposed to change. So isn’t it time to change the way adults think about teenageres? “I don’t write to protect them [children and young adults/teens]. It’s far too late for that,” (Alexie, “The Best Kids Books Are Written In Blood”). There seems to be this idea with adults that they have the obligation to protect us from anything and everything. We know more than they think, and books give us the opportunity for a free and unjudged look into different situations. They let us relate to other people or characters based on our experiences. Maybe even learn about different lifestyles based on different choices. We see consequences first hand in a book. They may not be entirely accurate, but you can’t expect them to be. Books aren’t just a story for one, but a story for all. This isn’t just the journey of a poor American Indian boy, but a journey for all of us.
This boy is named Arnold Spirit, or Junior for short. He lives on a American Indian reservation with his alcoholic parents and a hermit of a sister. Junior is bullied and harassed for being different. When he transfers to an all white high school where his world is turned upside down. Junior loses his best friend, is excepted onto the varsity basketball team, and starts dating a popular white girl. A comical illustrated tale written by Sherman Alexie, shows the life of a teen growing up in a very real situation. No dragons, no sparkling vampires, no magic and no all powerful rings. It’s just a hilariously real story about the life of a teenager, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.
This book speaks true to the way many teenagers around the world feel. It is about real experiences and has the ability to express what we feel, but don’t know how to say. The books message is encouraging, not disturbing. Alexie brings up a great point about individuality. “Well, life is a constant struggle between being an individual and being a member of the community,” (Alexie, 132). So many teens, myself included, have struggled with not feeling confident in who they are. We want to be our own person, but we are also expected to be able to fit in and be a part of the larger community.
This is actually one of the first books that I have had to read for school that I did not dread picking up night after night until I turned the final pages. Recently I was trying to explain to an adult why I enjoyed this book as much as I did. I said that it was because I could relate to what the book was saying. It was relevant to my life and contained lessons that I could learn. Lessons that I got to learn alongside Junior. To see him make the mistakes first. I like this book not because of its use of adult language, alcoholism and sexual reference, but because I could put myself in Junior’s shoes during the situations and know that I am not alone in my experiences.
This is an area where a lot of parents may feel they need to intrude. When any kind of adult content is presented to someone under eighteen, adults and parents think that we can’t handle it and be mature. Adults like to deny the reality of what teens actually know.
“ ‘Everything in the book [The Absolutely True Diary] is what every kid in that school is dealing with on a daily basis, whether it’s masturbation or racism or sexism or the complications of being human.’ he said. ‘To pretend that kids aren’t dealing with this on a hour-by-hour basis is a form of denial,’ ” (bendbulletin.com). Parents and other adults may not always like that fact that we know and experience the things we do, but denying it doesn’t do anyone any good. Is it really their job to censor our knowledge?
Parents and adults in general think that it is their job to tell us what is inappropriate for us to know. But in reality, a lot that they want to protect us from, we already know about. For example, “In 2012, 6.5 percent of 8th graders, 17.0 percent of 10th graders, and 22.9 percent of 12th graders used marijuana in the past month...” So, this considered, would it be needed to shield us from things we have already experienced first hand? If the objective is to be in denial, then maybe yes. But if adults are trying to “shield kids,” it is far too late. “I didn’t feel the book was appropriate for a required reading for a 14-year-old,’ he said. ‘It made a lot of references I [the father of a student] didn’t feel comfortable with,’ “ (bendbulletin.com). There is a good chance that this father did not go to his son and ask him if he was familiar with any of the things that he felt uncomfortable with. The son may not have felt uncomfortable with the book at all. The father didn’t go and have a deep conversation about what the son did and did not know.
This father was the one responsible for the temporary ban on The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian in Crook County, Oregon. In 2008, Hank Moss, a father of a 14 year old student in Crook County picked up The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, “read” the whole book and then went directly to the school board claiming that the book was inappropriate and should not be allowed in school. The book was removed two days after, but then brought back by popular vote a year later.
Absolutely True Diary is not to be challenged for its realistic description of an ageing teen, but appreciated for the message people seem to overlook. “ ‘There are people who agree with the book and think it’s OK to talk about this stuff openly, and I really don’t,’ Moss said. ‘And it’s certainly not a teacher’s place; it’s a parent’s place if they choose to (discuss it),’ ” (bandbulletin.com). The subject matter of this book is very real and relevant to teens now. To an adult who grew up in a different time it may seem trashy and inappropriate. But the opinion of one should not affect the lives of the many who could benefit from the experience of the book.
One of the things that teens get from this book are words of encouragement, which we can always use. “If you’re good at it, and it helps you navigate the river of the world, then it can’t be wrong,” (Alexie, 95). This book is not hurting anyone, it is not doing any psychological or physical damage to anyone. Neither is dressing a certain way or liking certain things. You aren’t hurting anyone so why not. If it’s good for you, it shouldn’t matter to anyone else. This is why Junior left the reservation. He knew it would be better for him off the rez so he left. But people cared, even though they weren’t directly involved.
This should be how people look at books. If you aren’t the one having to read it, don’t deprive the people who are of the experience. If you take books away from one, you aren’t just taking away a string of words but a whole experience. You are taking away a whole world. Bring books back to the ones who need them. Books are a way for teens like me to have experiences. To know that we aren’t the only ones fighting our battles. He writes for teens, because he remembers what it’s like to be one.
References:
Alexie, Sherman, and Ellen Forney. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian. New York: Little, Brown, 2007. Print.
Drake, Lauren. "School Yanks Book from Class after Complaint." Bendbulletin.com. N.p., 11 Dec. 2008. Web. 28 Sept. 2013. <School yanks book from class after complaint>.
"Http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/06/09/why-the-best-kids-books-are-written-in-blood/." Speakeasy RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2013. <http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/06/09/why-the-best-kids-books-are-written-in-blood/>.
National Institute of Drug Absuse (2012, December). DrugFacts: High School and Youth Trends | National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved October 29, 2013, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/high-school-youth-trends
Show, Ht Shanna Ryan Virgin Diaries Jp 113011 Wblog The O Factor: Virginity on the Rise, Studies. "The O Factor: Virginity on the Rise, Studies Show." ABC News. ABC News Network, n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2013. <http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2011/12/the-o-factor-virginity-on-the-rise-studies-show-2/> .
This boy is named Arnold Spirit, or Junior for short. He lives on a American Indian reservation with his alcoholic parents and a hermit of a sister. Junior is bullied and harassed for being different. When he transfers to an all white high school where his world is turned upside down. Junior loses his best friend, is excepted onto the varsity basketball team, and starts dating a popular white girl. A comical illustrated tale written by Sherman Alexie, shows the life of a teen growing up in a very real situation. No dragons, no sparkling vampires, no magic and no all powerful rings. It’s just a hilariously real story about the life of a teenager, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.
This book speaks true to the way many teenagers around the world feel. It is about real experiences and has the ability to express what we feel, but don’t know how to say. The books message is encouraging, not disturbing. Alexie brings up a great point about individuality. “Well, life is a constant struggle between being an individual and being a member of the community,” (Alexie, 132). So many teens, myself included, have struggled with not feeling confident in who they are. We want to be our own person, but we are also expected to be able to fit in and be a part of the larger community.
This is actually one of the first books that I have had to read for school that I did not dread picking up night after night until I turned the final pages. Recently I was trying to explain to an adult why I enjoyed this book as much as I did. I said that it was because I could relate to what the book was saying. It was relevant to my life and contained lessons that I could learn. Lessons that I got to learn alongside Junior. To see him make the mistakes first. I like this book not because of its use of adult language, alcoholism and sexual reference, but because I could put myself in Junior’s shoes during the situations and know that I am not alone in my experiences.
This is an area where a lot of parents may feel they need to intrude. When any kind of adult content is presented to someone under eighteen, adults and parents think that we can’t handle it and be mature. Adults like to deny the reality of what teens actually know.
“ ‘Everything in the book [The Absolutely True Diary] is what every kid in that school is dealing with on a daily basis, whether it’s masturbation or racism or sexism or the complications of being human.’ he said. ‘To pretend that kids aren’t dealing with this on a hour-by-hour basis is a form of denial,’ ” (bendbulletin.com). Parents and other adults may not always like that fact that we know and experience the things we do, but denying it doesn’t do anyone any good. Is it really their job to censor our knowledge?
Parents and adults in general think that it is their job to tell us what is inappropriate for us to know. But in reality, a lot that they want to protect us from, we already know about. For example, “In 2012, 6.5 percent of 8th graders, 17.0 percent of 10th graders, and 22.9 percent of 12th graders used marijuana in the past month...” So, this considered, would it be needed to shield us from things we have already experienced first hand? If the objective is to be in denial, then maybe yes. But if adults are trying to “shield kids,” it is far too late. “I didn’t feel the book was appropriate for a required reading for a 14-year-old,’ he said. ‘It made a lot of references I [the father of a student] didn’t feel comfortable with,’ “ (bendbulletin.com). There is a good chance that this father did not go to his son and ask him if he was familiar with any of the things that he felt uncomfortable with. The son may not have felt uncomfortable with the book at all. The father didn’t go and have a deep conversation about what the son did and did not know.
This father was the one responsible for the temporary ban on The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian in Crook County, Oregon. In 2008, Hank Moss, a father of a 14 year old student in Crook County picked up The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, “read” the whole book and then went directly to the school board claiming that the book was inappropriate and should not be allowed in school. The book was removed two days after, but then brought back by popular vote a year later.
Absolutely True Diary is not to be challenged for its realistic description of an ageing teen, but appreciated for the message people seem to overlook. “ ‘There are people who agree with the book and think it’s OK to talk about this stuff openly, and I really don’t,’ Moss said. ‘And it’s certainly not a teacher’s place; it’s a parent’s place if they choose to (discuss it),’ ” (bandbulletin.com). The subject matter of this book is very real and relevant to teens now. To an adult who grew up in a different time it may seem trashy and inappropriate. But the opinion of one should not affect the lives of the many who could benefit from the experience of the book.
One of the things that teens get from this book are words of encouragement, which we can always use. “If you’re good at it, and it helps you navigate the river of the world, then it can’t be wrong,” (Alexie, 95). This book is not hurting anyone, it is not doing any psychological or physical damage to anyone. Neither is dressing a certain way or liking certain things. You aren’t hurting anyone so why not. If it’s good for you, it shouldn’t matter to anyone else. This is why Junior left the reservation. He knew it would be better for him off the rez so he left. But people cared, even though they weren’t directly involved.
This should be how people look at books. If you aren’t the one having to read it, don’t deprive the people who are of the experience. If you take books away from one, you aren’t just taking away a string of words but a whole experience. You are taking away a whole world. Bring books back to the ones who need them. Books are a way for teens like me to have experiences. To know that we aren’t the only ones fighting our battles. He writes for teens, because he remembers what it’s like to be one.
References:
Alexie, Sherman, and Ellen Forney. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian. New York: Little, Brown, 2007. Print.
Drake, Lauren. "School Yanks Book from Class after Complaint." Bendbulletin.com. N.p., 11 Dec. 2008. Web. 28 Sept. 2013. <School yanks book from class after complaint>.
"Http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/06/09/why-the-best-kids-books-are-written-in-blood/." Speakeasy RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2013. <http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/06/09/why-the-best-kids-books-are-written-in-blood/>.
National Institute of Drug Absuse (2012, December). DrugFacts: High School and Youth Trends | National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved October 29, 2013, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/high-school-youth-trends
Show, Ht Shanna Ryan Virgin Diaries Jp 113011 Wblog The O Factor: Virginity on the Rise, Studies. "The O Factor: Virginity on the Rise, Studies Show." ABC News. ABC News Network, n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2013. <http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2011/12/the-o-factor-virginity-on-the-rise-studies-show-2/> .