Convincing a Teenager to Read Alexie's Novel

Do you see yourself has living a terrible life? People looking at you weird because of the way you look? Maybe your parents are struggling to keep you and your family with the necessities that you need. You are not the only one. There is a kid named Arnold who has these similar problems. He lives on an Indian reservation and deals with challenges everyday such as bullying which has lowered his self esteem drastically. His biggest challenge is trying to find a way to make a name for himself. The current atmosphere around him is full of brainwashed people who have done nothing with their lives and will brainwash him if he doesn't get out of that atmosphere. Nobody cares about him but nobody knows what he is capable of and actually makes his dreams a reality.


As a child, we are still trying to find where we belong in this world or what we are born to do. You aren't born to do anything but do what you want. If you have a dream, chase after it. The path to achieving a dream will not always be easy however. You may have to face challenges such as bullying. There are millions of children that face bullying because of the way they look, act, or the way they express themselves. Whether people support you or not, do what you think is best. And that is exactly what Arnold in "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie does. He was considered to be an outcast but with all the negative outlook on himself he still managed a way to keep pushing forward. This book talks about all the challenges Arnold goes through and how he pushed forward to live a better life. I hope you find this book encouraging and entertaining.

Sample Paper Response

I liked the second essay better. It gave more of a thorough explanation to the points they were trying to make. If you haven't read the book yet, it gives you enough information to understand what is going on in the book and what is happening to this Indian character. It gives good evidence and analysis but does not pull any quotes out of the book as a source of evidence. However, there were some problems with the essay. I think the thesis could have been more detailed. Also, the essay skips some important scenes like when Arnold first goes to Reardan and ends up punching Robert in the face. The essay didn't talked about the relationship that he gained with Gordy. Also when he meets Penelope and the type of relationship they gained.

Current Affairs with Native Americans in the U.S.

 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/american_indians_and_alaska_natives_community_record.pdf

 

Since taking office, President Obama and his Administration have made tremendous progress on

the major issues of concern to Indian Country. Underlying this progress is President Obama’s

belief that tribal leaders must be part of the solution to problems and have a seat at the table. The

President has hosted White House Tribal Nations Conferences, where tribal leaders have had

discussions with the President and Cabinet officials. In addition, the President signed a

memorandum directing Federal agencies to fully implement an Executive Order on tribal

consultation. These actions have led to greater tribal consultation and feedback, which has

helped shape the Administration’s policy priorities for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

These include improving the quality of care offered by the Indian Health Service, promoting

economic development in Indian Country, and making tribal communities safer.
 

 

http://truthaholics.wordpress.com/tag/native-americans-in-the-united-states/

 

Based on research in the United States this past spring, James Anaya, the U.N.’s special rapporteur on the

 

rights of indigenous peoples, presented his final report to the U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva

 

on Tuesday. The process marks the first time that the United States has allowed an external body to formally

 

Investigate and comment on the situation of its indigenous communities, a notably sensitive issue.

 

Speaking before the council, Anaya stated that indigenous communities in the United States (also referred to

 

as American Indians) continue to “face significant challenges that are related to widespread historical wrongs,

 

including broken treaties and acts of oppression, and misguided government policies, that today manifest

 

themselves in various indicators of disadvantage and impediments to the exercise of their individual and

 

collective rights.”

Response to Obama's State of the Union

In Obama's State of the Union Address he discussed the topic of raising minimum wage to $10.10. He commented saying businesses should do what they can to raise wages since Congress has done nothing to make it an official law.  He said by raising wages it boosts morale in the workplace which leads to better production and atmosphere for workers. However without it being a requirement, barely any businesses will raise wages for their employees since some are struggling to stay in business. My question is where does this stand on Obama's list of getting things done and making change? If Congress doesn't pass it then how do you expect businesses to actually raise wages for employees?