"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" Book Response

“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-TIme Indian”

By Lucas Peterka

After recently finishing YA book “The Absolutely True Diary of  Part-Time Indian”, by Sherman Alexie, through the lens of a “banner”, I’ve noticed the themes and topics many oppose. Racism, cursing, illness, and certain sexual themes are some of the many topics argued against.

Racism is a big theme that repeatedly turns up throughout the entire book. The divide between the Native American and White race is remarked upon by almost all the characters. The opportunities that are available to the white kids at Reardan that the Indians on the rez don’t have. The segregation between the two is also extremely evident. The fact the kids at Reardan make the racist comments directed towards Junior, shows how separated the two races have been there entire life. Even the Indian kids on the rez know that they don’t have the same rights and hopes the white kids of Reardan have, as junior describes hope as “white, white, white, white, white, white, white, white.” Some supporters of the banning of this book use the offensiveness of the terms used as a way to justify their ban. Claiming the material too offensive to groups of people to be available to all. The use of these terms, however, is completely justified, due to the fact millions of Americans use them every single day. The segregation depicted in Alexie’s book is the truth that plagues many communities across the nation. To deny the public the knowledge of this racism is shunning the Indian communities so horribly affected by this racism. With no knowledge of the issue, how will help be organized?

Illness and addiction also appear a great number of times too. Alcoholism affects the masses on Junior’s rez and Penelope, one important character in Alexie’s book, is afflicted with bulimia. Many argue their presence in the book because they claim it encourages teens and other susceptible readers to imitate the behaviors of those characters. But the truth is that these two issues, and many others like it, alter millions of people of people across America. Self-esteem inflicted illnesses, like bulimia, have been put off by the American public as a “selfish” issue that does not require any real medical attention. Bulimia, however, is not only a physical, but mental defect that has to be repaired, otherwise problems similar to bulimia will resurface throughout their entire lives.

These two issues are only two of many more that are “problems” with Alexie’s book. The lessons and truth that these themes provide, however, outweigh the possible negative effects that may occur. The American public needs to open their eyes and help those out there who need it.