- Some of Sherman Alexie's statements from the interview are considered to be controversial. Select one of those controversial statements/beliefs and respond.
- Sherman Alexie says, "I don't necessarily believe in magic, but I believe in interpreting coincidence exactly the way you want to." Develop your response by first agreeing or disagreeing with his statement. Then, complete your response by following the guidelines above.
- In "Superman and Me" Sherman Alexie expresses an "aching devotion" for his father. How does the interview discussion of his father enhance or change your perceptions about his father from the short story?
- Sherman Alexie is asked, "Who is your least favorite sports mascot?" He confirms it is Chief Wahoo of the Cleveland Indians. Then he suggests that the audience look up Chief Wahoo and Sambo. He asks, "Why is one acceptable and the other isn't?" Study his response to that question and form your own opinion. Again, use the guidelines set forth above to respond.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
English II: Sherman Alexie, the Interview, and "Superman and Me"
Select one of the following questions for your response. Respond in 1-3 paragraphs, using your personal opinions, personal experiences, support from the interview (yes, exact words and phrases), and support from "Superman and Me"(text evidence).
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3.
ReplyDeleteIn "Superman and Me" he doesn't mention a lot about his father. From the information he gave us, he had a job, but didn't make a lot of money. According to Sherman, his father loved to read and always brought books home. Sherman can remember back to when he was 3, when he started reading the books his father had brought home. In the short story, Sherman had said,"I was three years old, a Spokane Indian boy living with his family on the Spokane Indian Reservation in eastern Washington state." Sherman had described himself and showed that he was an Indian, and back then stereotypes about Indians were common. Living on a reservation as an Indian was very common and that is where most of the Indians had stayed their whole life.
Sherman had described his father by saying, "My father, who is one of the few Indians who went to Catholic school on purpose, was an avid reader of westerns, spy thrillers, murder mysteries, gangster epics, basketball player biographies and anything else he could find." You can get different information about him from just from the topics that he has read. From the whole list, you can tell that his father really liked to read and liked many different subjects to read about. His dad was the one who had given Sherman the idea if reading. Since he was only 3, he had to teach himself how to read because most Indians didn't have great education. His father wanted to be above other Indians on the reservation and went to Catholic school by choice because he actually wanted to learn. That had gone over to his son, Sherman, and gave him a good view point in his culture and that he could actually make something of himself.
To me, his father played a huge role in where and what Sherman is today. If it wasn't for his dad, then he would've probably been the stereotypical Indian. His father had gotten him into reading and Sherman was smart enough to teach himself how to read. I think his father did a lot for his family and was a hard worker for them. He made sure they had food, shelter, and a happy life. His father also was a good leader for his son and his son was inspired and looked up to him. Sherman had made something of himself and didn't want to turn out like everyone else. Because of his father, Sherman was successful.
I agree I think that his dad played an important role in his life. Sherman wouldn't be where he is today if it weren't for his dad. I also agree that Sherman thought of his dad a hard worker, and that he provided what they needed.
Deletegood use of text evidence, early and often thats good. I agree with the last sentence of the last paragraph because of his father he was successful. all in all its descriptive detailed with text evidence. good job!
DeleteI agree with Ashley and Max in their statements. Alex, you have really supported your opinions of the importance of Sherman's father in his life. I think that the video said his father was "an American tragedy" and that the same tragedy "is played out on reservations everyday." I agree with that. Perhaps his father's greatest gift was to impart a passion for education to his son. What the father couldn't achieve -- due to societal constraints and imposed limitations -- the son could. What an honor for Jr. to honor Sr.
DeleteIn "Superman and Me" Sherman Alexie writes about many different controversial topics. One major topic that is quite controversial is when Sherman Alexie says, "Whenever an Indian says he is traditional, you know he is full oh s***." This is such a controversial topic because so many Indians can take offense to this. I wonder who changed his mind about this. Because he had to have some kind of influential person in his life that made him believe this. I am just curious as to who made him think that. I know for a fact that it was not his father because of how much he respects and loves him. However, it could be another person in his family. Like his grandfather or someone else that he was close to. But maybe did not respect him as much.
ReplyDeleteThere are many other influential statements in this interview. They all seem to surround the topic of being a Native American and of religion. From this, I can infer that religion is very important in young Sherman Alexies' life. At one point in the interview he said, "If a holy person asks for cash,RUN." I think he said this for a few reasons. My first reason: his father may have told him this. And with him respecting his father so much, he never forgot it.And my second reason is the fact that his life experiences told him that. Sherman Alexie is a very religious man, I think, so it is very important that he says things like this in every interview.
Sherman Alexie has faced and dealt with many different controversial topics. For example, he addressed the fact about how he believes that magic is not real. And many people tend to disagree with this topic. He also faced the topic of how you can not trust a Native American Indian who says he wants money.Sherman Alexie has to have a lot of faith in himself if he can publicly come out and say all of those things.Sherman Alexie is a very strong,confident person. And this comes out in his writing. Especially when he goes into details about what he believes in.
I agree with your examples of "controversial" from the Time interview we watched. I think that when Alexie said he considers himself tradition because of he is a "nomad" who wonders outside of a reservation, he makes a good point. The earliest Native Americans were nomads who followed herds of bison and made their homes in places dependent upon seasons, etc. I know not all tribes did this, but that seems to be what Alexie refers to. Like you said, Alexie must have inherited his independent spirit from his father because with education, there is no limit to what you can do, decide, and achieve. On another note, I really appreciate the organization you use and the text evidence that is becoming such an identifiable part of your writing. This makes your analysis that much more meaningful. Did you enjoy the controversial statements? I admit that I was a bit uncomfortable at first, but they are his thoughts and he has life experiences that speak to him.
Delete4
ReplyDeleteChief wahoo mascot of the Cleveland Indians is Sherman Alexie least favorite sports mascot. I believe that part of it is the fact that Alexie is an american Indian. He finds the over exaggeration of facial features offensive. the blood red skin eyes more to the side of the head if I was an Indian I would find it offensive too. black sambo is not accepted because people think its racist. chief wahoo has been the Indians mascot for its history. No one has discriminated against chief wahoo why? black sambo and chief wahoo are practically the same thing racist characters.
Why is one accepted and one isn't? Alexie's comment makes sense if your going to get rid of one for being to racist get rid of all. In "Superman and me" Indians are though to be stupid and aren't given much thought. But like back then people didn't think about it its just there. Yet if your going to say Sambos racist shouldn't Wahoo be racist to? I understand where Alexie's coming from, why are some wrong and others acceptable? america is strange that way black characters are racist but native american characters are acceptable. Maybe all men are created equal isn't in full affect just yet. do what is right getting rid of one its only right to get rid of all.
Max, I couldn't agree more. Why is it that we as a society can continue to discriminate in levels? I mean if the racist symbolism of Sambo is unacceptable in our society -- which it most definitely is -- why is the same racism not viewed as unacceptable in the case of Chief Wahoo? Alexie, as a member of a Native America culture, definitely has the right to find this racist. Do you think that Alexie was right when he asked us to ponder that question? Do you think that fans purposefully downplay the stereotype due to the tradition of the mascot?
DeleteSherman Alexie least favorite mascot was wahoo. I think the main reason he takes offense to the picture is because of the skin tone. Indians are not always red most are more white and than red. The other thing is the huge features of his face. The nose ,the teeth, and the stoned looked eyes real set the mascot off. What is strange is that Sambo was desecrated and was take off because of the all desecration. So why is that this is allowed? Is that the numbers of Indians to whites to blacks is low and society rules?
ReplyDeleteIn my personal experiences black are hated on more than any thing else. This is why I think that the realson why Wahoo is allowed to day. The Sambo era was also very raciest and whites and blacks still had some feuds going on. Now a days America is a mix of people and its ok to be Black, white, Indian, mexican, asia.... What ever you are because America has mixed people. Most white people still have some ignorance and still hate. Most of you daly life you wont see decimation between people everyday but its still there. Were you see most of the decimation kick in is in a fight. But in the end thats why i think that its ok because we have accepted that we are all the same.
Like you, I am not in favor of either racist portrayal. Any symbol, whether it's a mascot or something else, is unacceptable if it's culturally offensive to a group of people. I agree with you that we our nation is a wonderful mix of ethnicities -- I once read that instead of it being a melting pot, it's more like a quilt. The idea that each ethnic group has its own unique identity and culture which makes it beautiful and unique; but as Americans, we can come together to appreciate those unique differences. After all, being the same wouldn't be much fun. Beyond that, I agree with you that discrimination is bred by inexperience that encourages ignorance. When we haven't had the opportunity to meet people of other beliefs, cultures, and intelligences, we are often ignorant of cultural diversity. Seems like education and experience are the key to bridging the gaps.
Delete4. (Zach Howarth, Cole Ridgely, Jacob Taylor)
ReplyDeleteChief Wahoo, Sambo. Both almost caricatures of two different races. One used as a mascot, the other a racial slur. Or are they both slurs? Why is it that one is acceptable in life, and one isn't? Both Sambo and Chief Wahoo have terrible racial slurs depicted in the drawings. Sambo's overdrawn lips, black skin, white eyes, and the devil-horn shapes on Chief Wahoo, his red skin, and the mischievous eyes; all of it represents offensive slurs. Why is one ok? Our belief is mainly because of rights. What rights have been fought for? African-Americans. Have rights really been fought for Native Americans? No. Both races have been treated awfully, lived on separate lands, enslaved, fought in wars, and most importantly, thought of as inferior. Yet African-Americans fought for their rights and won it, and are considered equals in modern life. As Native Americans SHOULD be, but some believe not so. Many Native Americans live poorly on reservations, as Sherman Alexie proves in his interview about "Superman and Me". Many people had thought Native Americans were always stupid and inferior. Alexie mentions how he wanted to be different. He means that many Native Americans give into this inferiority complex. And he wished not to be. We believe all races are equal-- people just need to realize it.
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Delete4. (Zach Howarth, Cole Ridgely, Jacob Taylor)
Chief Wahoo, Sambo. Both almost caricatures of two different races. One used as a mascot, the other a racial slur. Or are they both slurs? Why is it that one is acceptable in life, and one isn't? Both Sambo and Chief Wahoo have terrible racial slurs depicted in the drawings. Sambo's overdrawn lips, black skin, white eyes, and the devil-horn shapes on Chief Wahoo, his red skin, and the mischievous eyes; all of it represents offensive slurs. Why is one ok? Our belief is mainly because of rights. What rights have been fought for? African-Americans. Have rights really been fought for Native Americans? No.
Both races have been treated awfully, lived on separate lands, enslaved, fought in wars, and most importantly, thought of as inferior. "We were supposed to be stupid" (Superman and Me) Yet African-Americans fought for their rights and won it, and are considered equals in modern life. As Native Americans SHOULD be, but some believe not so. Many Native Americans live poorly on reservations, as Sherman Alexie proves in his interview about "Superman and Me". Many people had thought Native Americans were always stupid and inferior. Alexie mentions how he wanted to be different. He means that many Native Americans give into this inferiority complex. And he wished not to be. We believe all races are equal-- people just need to realize it.
You pose some interesting questions. Do you think that Native Americans have fought -- and died -- for individual rights and respect that was stripped from them? I agree that they have. Is it that the dominant cultural group -- the one in power -- determines which types of discrimination receive attention? I appreciate that you found support for Alexie's inference, the one that says, "We [Indians] were supposed to be stupid." In the view of the dominant culture at the time he wrote that, I imagine that is exactly what the teachers who visited the reservation thought. What if they didn't? What if it was just a few of the teachers who perpetuated that belief? Would the teacher who disagreed have a voice to fight the negative stereotype? Would the student who knew the stereotype was offensive have a voice?
DeleteSherman Alexie says his least favorite sports mascot is Chief Wahoo, the Cleveland Indians mascot. He brings up a very valid point in saying that they are almost the exact same thing. Each character has exaggerated features. Chief Wahoo has red skin, a stereotype of Native Americans, where as Sambo has the oversized red lips, a common stereotype of African Americans. They are both the same basic shape, the only real difference is the race that they are to represent. Sherman doesn't see how two images can be so similar, yet mean two completely different things in most people minds. He believes that people need to see the similarities between the two and think "Hey, maybe this isn't quite right/fair."
ReplyDeleteI had never noticed it before but after Sherman said, "Put the two caricatures next to each other, and see the similarities." I put the two next to each other and was actually really surprised at the similarities of the two. I also didn't what Sambo meant or was. I think that if more people knew what Sambo was, they would realize just how wrong this is. I am completely on Sherman's side on this issue. It is unfair to Native Americans to have this depiction of them as a mascot for a major league baseball team, but this mascot looks just like another one that we have pretty gotten rid of because it it racist. Native Americans are still seen as if they are not equal to others, where African Americans are now seen much more equal. I am on Sherman's side since African Americans have been granted equality where Native Americans have not.
I agree with your statement. It seems that Alexie's education and individual experience has enabled his readership to see the world from a new perspective. The fact that once you were informed about these stereotypes and that you don't agree that they should be perpetuated, well that says a lot about you. Is it possible that equality is often determined by majority rule instead of by the humanity we share? By the way, excellent word choice in this post.
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ReplyDelete2. I would agree with his statement, because magic is how you interpret what is happening. For example, little kids see magic and are in awe and completely amazed with what has just happened and they can't seem to wrap their minds around what has just happened. Whereas teenagers or even adults, when they see magic, they might not be able to wrap their minds around it, but they know that there is always some way that they did it. It all depends on what you think.
ReplyDeleteIn the interview, Sherman Alexie doesn't really mention anything about magic, but he does talk about spirituality. "...the spirituality thing, ended up being loved. After spending a lifetime, or generations of vial and dehumanization, to be thought as magic is seductive.....It's like a needle in a haystack, ya know. There are real holy people in the indian world. But the second you give them cash, you better run." I think that certain people see spirituality as magic, and some don't. Personally, I don't think that spirituality and magic are the same things. I don't think that they are the same, because spirituality, in my opinion, is believing in a higher being and worshiping that, whatever that may be. Magic is doing some trick or an optical allusion, nothing that any ordinary person couldn't do without a lot of practice.
"I believe in interpreting coincidence exactly the way you want to." I think the thing that is truly "magical" in-essence, is the way certain people express their spirituality. Indians are always portrayed as such spiritual people and holy people. "It's like a needle in a haystack, ya know. There are real holy people in the indian world. But the second you give them cash, you better run." I think that you can always tell a truly holy person from someone who is just in it for the money. When I think of a true holy person, they would do anything for someone whether it be someone they know or don't know. They practice their faith actively and are just all-in-all selfless. When I picture how Alexie was describing the indians, I picture greedy, ungrateful people. I think everyone always pictures indians as such spiritual people, I know that's how I pictured them. But after hearing what Alexie said, I don't think that so much anymore. The true test of, I think, a persons spirituality is whether they are greedy or selfless.
I agree with your statement of " spirituality, in my opinion, is believing in a higher being and worshiping that, whatever that may be. Magic is doing some trick or an optical allusion, nothing that an ordinary person couldn't do without a lot of practice. " Magic, I believe, has nothing to do with spirituality. Magic is like hiding the realistic point of how you did something. Spirituality is believing in something, and deciding to live your life following that person.
DeleteI agree with both of you about the magic. Magic is often an illusion and spirituality is more of a way to understand our place in the world and our responsibilities to ourselves and humanity. I think Alexie wanted us to see that not every stereotype we hold is correct -- that holy people exist in the Indian culture as well as in other cultures, but that there are always those who use spirituality as a smoke screen for other reasons. Beyond that, is it possible that Alexie is trying to tell us the interpreting coincidence is an individual endeavor. Coincidence, magic, miracle, faith -- he poses some difficult questions through his own clarifications and insights. I guess it's up to each one of us to interpret that for ourself. Beyond that, I appreciate the level of insight and analysis that you use, as well as the text support you provide.
Delete3. (Kendra & McKenna)
ReplyDeleteIn the short story, Superman and Me, the superman of the Sherman Alexie was his father. The story talks about Sherman Alexie was to stay quiet when the non-indian teacher asked the students for answers during school. This means that all of the Indians were treated differently, just because they were stereotyped as the “bad indians”. Indians have different beliefs and ways of living. They sing spiritual songs and live on a reservation. In the interview Sherman Alexie says, “when your colonized and you’re subjected with so many stereotypes, you embrace the positive ones, so the spirituality thing, you end up being loved.” Sherman Alexie knew that he was different, but he embraced his father for reading, and didn’t care about his differentness. The indians on the reservation were characterized as bad people, which in reality, are people who just have different ways and views of life.
Sherman Alexie’s father was an idol for him to look up too. He says, “My father who is one of the few Indians who went to a Catholic school on purpose.” His father was one of the indians who were trying to outrule the non-indians by reading a teaching his kid to learn on his own, even if he went to school and couldn’t learn anything there. Alexie was inspired by his dad so much, that he read anytime and everywhere he went. He basically taught himself to read. Alexie wanted to be successful, and he wanted to read and learn to be smart. Alexie quotes, “I am smart. I am arrogant. I am lucky. I am trying to save our lives.” What he means by that is Sherman Alexie read and learnt on his own, and he was so lucky to have a father figure that embraced learning and reading. Now, Alexie is trying to save his life and other indians by telling them to read and learn.
If Sherman Alexie would not have had his father, he wouldn’t be the indian he is today. His father got him excited to read, and pushed him to learn and be smart. This made him a hard worker on the reservation and taught him life skills. “He was a star, academically, musically, he was a coeur d'alene genius.” With the books that his father gave to him, he took them and learned to read on his own making his a smart man. Alexie wouldn’t be the man he is today without his father.
I do think that Sherman Alexie feels indebted to his father for giving him an early desire to know more. By knowing more and learning to be independent, Alexie entered school with a burning desire to become more. As you pointed out, his father had the same desire. What held the father back? Was it society? Was it his own inadequacy? I don't think Alexie stood a chance without the example his father set. The reading and the passion for knowledge were escapes for the father, but escapes only in his mind. The escape for the son was a literal escape. An escape from low expectations. An escape from the reservations and its limitations. An escape from self-imposed limitations. I admire the father's actions too.
Delete3. (Chris and Will)
ReplyDeleteIn the short story, his father seemed like a great person. Sherman Alexie looked up to him. His father was the one that started his reading of books. In the interview, he said that his dad should of been a greater man. Some of the people his dad went to school with thought the author was Sherman's dad not him. He even died from alcohol. He didn't do anything but sit at the reservation.
As you can see, his father had great aspirations, but never had the chance to fulfill them. The reason for that is he was born an indian and as an indian he was not well liked in the world. Every white man would make fun of him and caused him to not follow his dreams. His father, though smart was unable to continue gaining knowledge because of the major setback. This is what I think inspired Sherman to become an author. It was a chance to make his dad proud. This also not only made his son a very smart and successful person, but made the dad's dreams come true.
In conclusion to our first two paragraphs, We believe all Sherman wanted to do was make his father proud. He wanted to live the life his father couldn't. He succeeded in doing so and actually was thought to be his father as previously stated. That's how well he did in his career. Even being an indian, Sherman pushed on through all the criticism and the heartbreak of his father's passing. But good ól Sherman was devoted! He still tried to make his father proud. Honestly, we think he did a great job!
I agree with your main topic of Sherman doing his best to please his father. His whole story was set into motion because he wanted to be just like his dad, and make him happy. He went through a lot of trouble to do so, but it seems like it was worth it in the end.
DeleteI agree with Cole, and with the both of you, on a few fronts. Much of what Alexie, Jr. accomplished came because of the greatest gift his father gave to him: education. The love of knowledge and the subsequent passion for learning that came with that love is a testament to his father. Alexie says, "I read to save my life," and it's that statement that many of us struggle to wrap our minds around. His "aching devotion" to a father who couldn't topple the societal structure of the times is a testament to Alexie's desire to be more -- the live the life he chose versus a life that he was forced to accept. My only concern is the word choice you use at the end. Sometimes what is mean as humor (good ole' Sherman) can be perceived as sarcasm. Careful with that when you write and speak. An understanding of tone and the role of connotation is imperative.
Delete3. In the short story Superman and me the Superman for Sherman Alexie was his dad. Sherman's Dad was one of the few indians who went to Catholic school on purpose so I think that since Sherman then went to a Catholic school that him and his dad had kind of a bond. I think that they had a bond because they were stereotyped together so the dad knew what Sherman was going through. The father bought books anywhere he could afford read them and then passed them to Sherman. I think that Sherman was so smart because he read so many books in his free time and he had his father to thank.
ReplyDeleteI think he was stereotyped and told to keep quit. I think he should not have been quit.
DeleteI totally agree that they had a bond and this mostly has to do with the fact that his dad knew exactly what he was going through. He knew exactly how to come through it and that is what helped Alexie so much.
DeleteI think the father knew what he was doing, too. He didn't lecture, he just surrounded his son with the dreams, desire, and model for success. The father knew what it would take to be successful and tried to blaze his own trail towards success. Going to the Catholic school is an action that helps us make that inference. Sherman's interview also reveals that his dad was incredible. The other consideration is that society was designed for an Indian in that time and place (the 50's) to be successful in a predominantly white world. I think Sherman Alexie loves his father and understands the sadness that came from not being able to achieve his own goals for his life.
Delete3. Joey and Derek
ReplyDeleteIn the story, he does not tell a lot about his father. In the second paragraph is says, "My father. who is one of the few who went to Catholic school on purpose..." It also shares, "When he had extra money, he bought new novels art supermarkets, convince stores, and hospital gift shops." This goes to show that his father loved to read and wanted to learn.
His father didn't lead by telling though, he lead by acting. He did not preach to his son to read and learn. His son watched him and saw that he liked to read, so he wanted to be like him and do the same. Him or his son may not have realized it at the time, but that's how it worked out. Then in the end his sons ends up to be a really smart kid.
That is the perspective he gives you in the story. After watching the interview you come to realize that his father did have some flaws. His father did love to read and all, but he was also jumping from minimum wage jobs to another minimum wage job. He was also a drunk. So yes, his father was a good man in the story, but in the interview he releases some of his flaws. If you just read the story you may think his father is a great man, or if you just watch the interview you may think he is a bad man. This just shows how after reading or watching one thing, then reading or watching another it could change your perspective for something. If you read both though, you realize that his father was a good father and also not so good.
You make a good point when you state that Alexie loves his father. He definitely idolizes him with "an aching devotion" when Alexie is a young boy. Like any child, perceptions change with age, experience, and knowledge. It does seem that the father's actions and honesty about loving education/reading are what set the son's course. I think Alexie becomes informed enough that he understands the drinking and the man he idolizes are separate issues. Who knows, maybe the father turned to alcoholism to numb the pain of not being able to defeat the racism and stereotypes that were so pervasive when he was a young man. It's sad. You also make a good point about seeking various sources to determine beliefs. The credibility of the sources is important too.
DeleteIn "Superman and Me" Sherman Alexie expresses an "aching devotion" for his father. How does the interview discussion of his father enhance or change your perceptions about his father from the short story?
ReplyDeleteSuperman and me is about his childhood and that his father is the superman in the story I think. He had a lot of love for his father because he said that aching devotion that are some powerful words.and how his dad would bring him books to read. He was surprised that he became a writer. he was not expected to be smart he was not to not say anything.
You make a good point -- that Alexie's father was his "superman". Alexie definitely appreciates his father for the reading that he encouraged through his own devotion to knowledge. Maybe the reading helped him escape the reality on the reservation that he couldn't escape. Alexie wasn't expected to be smart because of low expectations, but how amazing is it that he overcame low expectations because of the example of his father?
Delete3. Abby, Haylie, Jess
ReplyDeleteAfter looking up both Sambo and Chief Wahoo, I see there is a strong resemblance between the two. After researching Sambo and understanding what he stood for, I started to understand why he was pronounced socially unacceptable and was forgotten over time. I also researched Chief Wahoo, who didn’t stand for some of the things that Sambo did, but still carried on some of his traits. If you were to put the two pictures side by side, you will notice that they share majority of the same features, including the over exaggeration of certain features that indians are known for. I can see why Sherman Alexie didn’t like this mascot. It is kind of like racial profiling for Indians and people think Chief Wahoo is basically a symbol of Indians, and because of this, he is disliked among Indians.
I understand why Sherman Alexie is offended by Chief Wahoo being socially acceptable and Sambo not. They are basically the same thing, but one is just more subtle about what it is portraying. It isn’t as obvious to what it stands for to the untrained eye, but for Indians it is extremely obvious and disrespectful. So why is one allowed and socially acceptable but the other isn’t? This reason is because Sambo was an obvious racial profiling figure, as to where Chief Wahoo is only a mascot, but non-indian people don’t see beyond that. They just think that it’s normal and they assume that the mascot is a portrayal of an Indian. American Indians, such as Sherman Alexie, can assure you that this is offensive.
The Cleveland Indians didn’t know they were doing this when they named their mascot Chief Wahoo and started using him in games. They thought that it was less offensive to call him ‘Chief Wahoo’ than ‘Indian’ and they figured that since Rambo was bad, they would get rid of him and go with a more toned down representation of an Indian, but they had no idea of knowing how offensive this would actually be, but that is still not an excuse or still using it as their mascot today. They should know that their portrayal of Indians is offensive and not okay with majority of Indian Culture.
You make an interesting distinction between the mascot being seen as less offensive because it's just a mascot versus the obvious profiling of the Sambo symbol. I agree that they are both offensive, but will the public demand its removal? How is this linked to the "colonization" that Alexie references? Pretty deep subjects. Clear statements.
DeleteSherman Alexie least favorite mascot was wahoo. I think the main reason he takes offense to the picture is because of the skin tone. Indians are not always red most are more white and than red. The other thing is the huge features of his face. The nose ,the teeth, and the stoned looked eyes real set the mascot off. What is strange is that Sambo was desecrated and was take off because of the all desecration. So why is that this is allowed? Is that the numbers of Indians to whites to blacks is low and society rules?
ReplyDeleteIn my personal experiences black are hated on more than any thing else. This is why I think that the realson why Wahoo is allowed to day. The Sambo era was also very raciest and whites and blacks still had some feuds going on. Now a days America is a mix of people and its ok to be Black, white, Indian, mexican, asia.... What ever you are because America has mixed people. Most white people still have some ignorance and still hate. Most of you daly life you wont see decimation between people everyday but its still there. Were you see most of the decimation kick in is in a fight. But in the end thats why i think that its ok because we have accepted that we are all the same.
You may also think that black people are hated more because you may not see as many Native Americans around here. I agree that we have greatly improved as a country on the equality issue. But I think that if we lived closer to an Indian population we would see more discrimination. The mascot may also be offensive because Native Americans hardly look any different from anybody else, it is just to hard to tell the difference.
DeleteBen makes some good points about proximity to discrimination. We do not live in an area where there is an abundance of cultural diversity, so are we good judges of whether it exists or not? Also, did you work with Cole Ferguson as this looks a lot like his. Word choice is the same in many places. Consider the use of desecration. Is it used appropriately? Have we accepted that we are all the same?
DeleteSports. Sherman Alexie hated that the Cleveland Indians mascot was Chief Wahoo. He thinks it really racist. The logo looks a lot like Sambo. I think he hates it because it is so similar to Sambo. The main feature was the size of the mouth and the eyes. The mouth is really wide and tall while to eyes are far apart. You also have to think about when the organization was founded. Back when it was founded racism wasn't a big deal as it is today. So nobody thought that the logo was bad. Neither really are acceptable but society tends too overlook things like that.
ReplyDeleteGreat points, you described the situation and even gave a little info on racism. I like that you point out that times have changed a little and it is not as big of an issue today.
DeleteIn "Superman and Me" Sherman Alexie expresses an "aching devotion" for his father. How does the interview discussion of his father enhance or change your perceptions about his father from the short story?
ReplyDelete(Megan Lee and Brenna Lindsey.)
-In the story, the father is different rather than in the interview because it shows that he is a more harsh person, and is more into reading books than the story displays. Sherman's father was a hard core-reader and was very intelligent. But, rather than using his money for more important and useful things, he used it to buy books. Sherman learned to read this way, and was always having a chance to be able to read. The people that were on the indian reservation were considered "normal" because they didn't have the reading pace that Sherman and his father did.
Sherman's father was an intelligent person, making him more apt to being able to get a higher financial payment for their home and things they needed. One of the things I noticed about his father, was that he wasted his money profusely on his books. Rather than using the money for his family. But, a good outcome came out of it, was that when Sherman grew up, he was more inspired and motivated to read and write, that he wrote books. Which made him rich. So, the interview does point out a lot more about Sherman's father, because the story only recognized one trait about his father, and not the rest of him. As explained in the interview.
On page 1: "My father who is one of the few indians who went to Catholic school on purpose, was an avid reader of westerns, spy thrillers, murder mysteries, gangster epics, basketball player biographies, and anything else he could find."
I am interested in your comment that says books are a waste of money. I guess if money is short, this is true. Alexie recalls that his father bought bargain books -- any books really. Books seemed to be his escape. I agree with you that it's that attention to books and ultimately knowledge that encourage the young Sherman to achieve what society would not allow of his father.
DeleteQUESTION 4:
ReplyDelete(Kayla and Chris)
Sherman Alexie has a very good point about why is one expectable and one is not. If Chief Wahoo and Sambo are basically just being racist, shouldn't they both be not okay, or both be okay? Sambo is making fun of blacks, and Chief Wahoo is making fun of indians. He said that people said that it is somewhat a "minor" issue, but we think it is kind of a big deal. Both are equally as bad, so they should both not be acceptable.
Sherman Alexie tells us to look up a picture of Chief Wahoo and a picture of Sambo, trying to prove that both are the same, and he is correct. Chief Wahoo portrays indians as red in skin color, big lips, and a big nose. Sambo portrays black people as very dark, big lips and just kind of goofy looking. Neither one should be allowed at all.
Sherman Alexie has a point when he says "simple answer, the United States is still a colony." He's saying that the colonized people get no vote in which is right and which is wrong. Chris and I say it's one or the other. Either both are not acceptable, or both are acceptable. If they are portraying the same things, why outlaw one? It just makes no sense.
I agree with these statement. If one of them is not ok them neither of them should be ok. It is hard for people in the reservation to get by.
DeleteI agree with all of you. Any symbol that degrades and dehumanizes a culture is a symbol who is out of date. Both should go. Well done with the text support. What do you think he meant by "colonized people"?
DeleteEmily & Cheyenne
ReplyDelete4. The problem between the two things makes the difference. When two of the names pop up, you can clearly understand that Chief Wahoo is Native American, While when you hear Sambo you aren't for sure what it can be.
The Thing is when you bring both of the pictures up together you can clearly tell a difference from them. Sambo has the same look as Chief Wahoo, but his skin color is black. This causes a racial discrimination to the Native Americans. That is almost as bad as making Martin Luther King Jr. White. or Making JFK black, nobody likes it so don't do it. If you want to be like that go join the south and the rest of the racist people in the world, and for that we thank you.
I like how you brought Tosh.0 in this. I like how you gave example, but I think you went a little to far on the examples.
DeleteI don't know about Tosh.O here -- unless it's the last sentence, but I think you are trying to clarify that racism exists in the stereotypes perpetuated by these two symbols of cultures that have been subjected to discrimination for decades. I'm a little confused by the word choice in places, but I think I understand the point. The idea is that any type of racism is bad.
DeleteHope it goes this time because I don't want to do it a fourth time
ReplyDeleteSherman Alexie showed a lot of passion for his dad. I think he talked really highly of his father in both the story and the interview. In "Superman and Me" Sherman states that he got his love for reading from his dad. He says, "My father loved books and since I loved my father with an aching devotion, I decided to love books as well." I think it's kinda funny to pick a hobby because of that reason, but that's what he chose to do. He makes his dad sound like a really nice and lovable guy. His dad filled the house with books, which helped expose Sherman with reading. His dad had more books than anyone would ever need. he had them stacked all over the house, even in the bathroom.
Even though they were poor and didn't have a lot of money, Sherman's dad made sure they had books. That's what they spent all their extra cash on. Sherman says, "He bought books by the pound. When he had extra money, he bought new novels." I'd think there were more more important things they could have boughten. I would have saved the money or used it for things they needed. I understand that reading was there life, but they had plenty of books. I doubt they read them all. They should have just checked books out from the library.
I think that in the video he had the same idea about his father. He still talked very proudly of him. In the interview he makes a strongly passionate statement about his father in the interview. He says, "He was a star, academically, musically, he was a court laying jitterbug champion of 1959, and, uh, seemed sorta destined for something larger." His dad sound like a nice and remarkable man. He's pretty consistent in his thoughts about his father between the interview and the story. He was inspired by his father and was encouraged. He dad played a huge role in his life, and if it weren't for his dad he wouldn't be were he is today.
I agree with you. Both the short story and the interview show a deep love and respect for the father. The interview, however, shows a more mature awareness. As an adult, Alexie Jr. can see the sadness of his father's plight. To be educated and intelligent but to be forced to an unsatisfying life on the reservation that cannot fulfill the high hopes he has for himself -- Alexie's tone and words imply that he died a slow death. Perhaps the book and the hope for his son are the only bright spots that remained for Alexie Sr. Sad, really. You do a nice job with text evidence and with offering your insights.
DeleteSherman Alexie says, "I don't necessarily believe in magic, but I believe in interpreting coincidence exactly the way you want to." Develop your response by first agreeing or disagreeing with his statement. Then, complete your response by following the guidelines above.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with this statement , i mean there really is no such thing as magic . Well you could believe in magic just like a little child believes that it’s magic when all the presents are under the Christmas tree somehow in the morning . There is different interpretation of magic , it could be the “kind” where stuff happens somehow without “anyone’s” doing ; or it could be like someone doing something that’s unbelievable by the human eyes, like a magic trick, although this could also just be a special skill .
I don’t believe in magic but i do believe in good things happening to good people. Just like if someone were to be in the mall walking around and they see a lady have all these bags and she trips and drops all of them, if that person helps the lady pick them up , which is a good thing , something good is going to happen to her. There is no magic in that, really i think that is a sort of luck , i’m very Irish so i believe in that , that is brought to you by a good deed. It’s really how you put it into your own terms, but the way i think he’s putting it is that it’s just something that he’s earned and it just happen to happen to him. A common expression that you’ll hear quite a bit is “ Sh*t happens “.
I like how you think. I agree with your opinion of magic, and how we use it for little children or adolescence in general. And I absolutely love your first sentence on the second paragraph. I agree completely. If you're a good person, then generally something good should happen to you. Or at least, you need to be a good person; bad things come to bad people.
DeleteI enjoyed the response and the reply. I also agree that magic is a subjective term. We use it in times when we have no rational explanation or to describe the things we want to see. I also agree that we hope karma will reward who do good because it's the right thing to do. Is there anything magical about Sherman Alexie's outcome? He uses this clarification between magic and interpreting coincidence to explain why he stopped drinking. Having the success with his poetry seemed to come at just the right time. Is that magic or coincidence?
Delete"Whenever an Indian says he is traditional, you know he is full of s***." this can and is a controversial statement because if Indians hear that Sherman Alexie said that they can be very offended because Sherman Alexie is an Indian that is saying something like this about other people that are the same race as them. Traditional could mean many different things to people. It could mean what their parents did when they were younger, dances, or food their parents made for them.
ReplyDeleteSherman Alexie may have said that because when some Indian's talk about their culture they tend to talk about things that are out of proportion. Their stories that they tell are true but they can add things into to the stories that aren't true at all just to make them seem more brave or better than everyone else. I believe that's why Sherman Alexie made that comment about other Indians that he knows or any Indian in general.
I think you're exactly right. That quote really caught me too. I really thought that he would be supportive of his own culture. It does't make sense for him to knock his own people.
DeletePerhaps his support of his culture is to speak realistically from a perspective that he has lived and experienced. I was also surprised by the statement though. He didn't knock all parts of his culture. Just the part that he felt was the perpetuation of a stereotype imposed on his culture by outside forces. Regardless, it was a controversial statement.
DeleteKristen and Raegan
ReplyDeleteQ. Sherman Alexie is asked, "Who is your least favorite sports mascot?" He confirms it is Chief Wahoo of the Cleveland Indians. Then he suggests that the audience look up Chief Wahoo and Sambo. He asks, "Why is one acceptable and the other isn't?" Study his response to that question and form your own opinion. Again, use the guidelines set forth above to respond.
A. In the way that Sherman Alexie answers the question, it sounds as though he believes that the Chief Wahoo mascot should not be able to be used. This is because it looks exactly like that of Sambo, a racist image of an African-American. If one is racist, then the other could more than likely be seen as racist as well. However, I don’t believe that the similarities between the two were intended. I think that it was probably just a coincidence, but I can also see where Sherman Alexie’s opinion is coming from with him being an Indian. In my opinion, I think that the Chief Wahoo mascot is no big deal because I do not believe that it was made out to offend people. But, if there would ever be a large group to confront an issue about the similarities between the two images, I think that it should just be made clear that it was never intended to offend anyone, and that it is merely a team mascot and nothing more.
After being asked who his least favorite sports mascot is, Sherman Alexie laughs as though he has been asked that question many times. He believes Belinda should know the answer. He believes that most people think very little of the racist mascot resembling Sambo, a stereotypical image of Native Americans. He thinks that anyone who is not his same race and culture is out to make fun of his. He believes it is a major issue that the Mascot of Cleveland looks very much like Sambo but he might be overreacting a little bit. "The United States is still a colony, and the colonized people don't get a vote."
I think that the mascot looks very similar to the Sambo image but it could go either way. There are many people that may agree with Sherman's opinion and others that think it is coincidence. It is very possible that Sherman is over protective of his culture and sees things only how he wishes too because of his childhood and how everything seemed to be stereotypical about him and his lifestyle. I do think there is a resemblance the two but i do not think that it is about mocking one's culture. It may have been several years ago but now it is just a mascot.
You raise some very good points. Do you think that it's a coincidence? Even if they aren't both exactly alike, and even if they might just be a coincidence, does it make it right for a symbol that is offensive to the culture it "unintentionally" represents to remain? What do you think he meant by "colonization"? Is it right that the Native Americans should have the deciding vote since its offensive to them? I enjoyed the discussion you presented, and I know that what may just be a mascot to some may be a symbol of racism to another. He makes some thought provoking statments in that interview.
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ReplyDeleteThere has been controversy on whether the mascot of the Cleveland Indians, Chief Wahoo, is racist or not. Sherman Alexie believes it is. He says to pull up a picture of Sambo, banned now, and to pull up a picture of Chief Wahoo and look at the similarities. Why would their similar physical characteristics be important when focusing on racism? The reason why Sambo was banned is because of it's exaggerated features and how it might offend african americans.
The exaggerated features of skin color, sneer, eyes, and nose make these two similar in ways of racism. Alexie finds it very offending to him, and I can see why. He probably has the mentality that if Sambo was banned why isn't Chief Wahoo because it is practically the same thing with a few minor changes. Chief Wahoo is still around today, but why if some can look at it as a form of racism?
African Americans fought a lot for what they achieved, yet they had some whites to help them through their battles. Native Americans were outcasts in the past just like African Americans were and even though they had fought, nothing that they did would make a difference. Discrimination against African Americans was because of their colors, discrimination of Native Americans was caused by government wanting land. Niether seem fair correct? Then why only ban Sambo? Chief Wahoo is just as racist as Sambo was yet nothing has been done about the matter. Racism of Native Americans has been over looked because the matter has subsided. Even with some of the problems being solved, there is and will probably always be some form of racism.
When you said "subsided" I thought about the fact that the group in power often decides which issues receive attention. You make a good point that if Sambo is offensive and was eliminated from popular culture, then why not the mascot? Is it because the group in power decided it wasn't offensive to the club so then it couldn't be offensive to the group it represents? I agree with you -- racism, and even ostracism, exist because human beings are imperfect and in many cases, uneducated. If we don't encounter diversity do we ever rise above the racism? Good discussion.
Delete#1: “Some of Sherman Alexie's statements from the interview are considered to be controversial. Select one of those controversial statements/beliefs and respond.”
ReplyDelete"Whenever an Indian he is traditional, you know that he is full of ****." is an extremely controversial statement. There are so many ways you could interpret "traditional" that it's nearly impossible to define it. Traditional could viewed as somebody who keeps up with all the spiritual dances and ceremonies, but still does have money and a car. Traditional is also hard to define because with time, things change, and so do some religions things along the way. Even though Sherman Alexie may call himself traditional, he still does things different from most all "traditional Indians". It's like his statements are colliding with each other, creating a major contradiction. That's why not only that statement, but many others create so much controversy.
Sherman Alexie said many controversial statements throughout the whole interview. Some of his statements may be called out as bold while others may be extremely controversial. Sometimes he says things that make a lot of sense in the context they are said in, but they go against other ideas he has put out there. As he said "Whenever an Indian he is traditional, you know that he is full of ****." he then goes on later in the interview calling himself “traditional. That being said, he is saying that he is “full of ****”. Contradiction? I think so.
All throughout the interview, Sherman makes these remarks with a touchy attitude. To me his tone of voice seemed to be on the darker side of hubris. That made his statements seem almost twice as worse. In my personal opinion, he seems stuck up like he’s better than everybody else. Had he used a calmer tone, some of those statements could be changed from controversial to somewhat intelligent statements. Having the right tone of voice in any situation always changes the way you communicate with people and how they interpret what you say. I believe that Sherman Alexie didn’t abide by that and just started flapping his jaw as he pleased.
You are very right. Tradition does change over time, and it is hard to tell who is traditional and who is not. I think that people who do the things of the old time are traditional. You can still be a modern person and be traditional. It could be opinion too.
DeleteI'm liking the word choice. Using words like that really emphasize what you are trying to say. I tend to do that same thing when I talk. Your answer is very... good. I really like the answer and I agree totally with it.
DeleteI enjoyed the viewpoints and clarifications you shared about what -- and who -- defines controversial. What is bold to one person can be controversial to another. I also like the word choice that Addilie commented on. Words like "hubris" and "abide" make for an interesting read. I wonder if Alexie's arrogance -- or what you perceived as arrogance -- is more from education, insight, and experience than from arrogance. Maybe the ideas are just new to us and not something we've thought about. Regardless, I appreciate your attention to detail as you post some very interesting ideas.
DeleteIn “Superman and Me” Sherman Alexie seemed to idolize his father. He was the one that gave him the books, and the encouragement to read. By just reading the short story you would think of his father as a good man that tried his hardest to do what was right for his family. Sherman Alexie even said, “I loved my father with an aching devotion, I decided to love books as well.” He looked up to his father for guidance and encouragement to read and succeed academically. Even though he was considered “middle class by reservation standards” Alexie’s father would still get odd jobs here and there that came up. He spent all his excess money on books. Sherman Alexie seemed to love his father in the short story, for helping save his own life with books.
ReplyDeleteIn the interview, Sherman Alexie didn’t say a lot about his father. Not a lot of good things that is. He said his father died of an “alcohol-related kidney disease.” He said of his father: “He was a star; Academically, musically.” Alexie also said about his father was that he was “destined for something larger.” People who saw the books Sherman Alexie wrote, thought that his father wrote them because they thought he would be so successful. Sherman Alexie’s father was so smart. He could have had a good life if he didn’t live on the reservation. But instead he became an alcoholic and ended up dying of alcoholic related kidney disease.
Just from reading “Superman and Me” you would have no idea that Sherman Alexie’s father would have become an alcoholic. Sherman’s love and opinion of his father must have changed over time. When he was little, his father was his hero, not knowing any different. But growing up and realizing what his father was actually doing, he realized he had been looking up to the wrong person his whole childhood. But thinking about it now, after seeing both the interview and the short story, I can see that his father had a great chance of becoming and alcoholic. He was an indian man, middle class by reservation standards, and jumping from job to job. Even if he did have the smarts to be better, with the stereotypes, and being stuck on the reservation, he was set up for failure. I think this is a major reason why Sherman Alexie left the reserve. He didn’t want to end up like his father. He didn’t want to become the alcoholic that his father had become. He wanted to save his life.
I would agree with what you said about his opinion of his father. I think that it change after he got older. I think that he saw his father as someone to look up too and someone that could lead him in the right direction. But after he got older, I think that his opinion changed when he finally realized what his father was doing to himself and when he eventually died, I think that it really opened his eyes. When he was starting to become an alcoholic, after he got the poems in the mail, I think that it really made him realize that he could be more than his father was.
DeleteSabryna, I really enjoyed your writing because it reveals the respect and awe of a little boy for his father. It also reveals the subsequent, sad realization that his father's passion for education and unlimited potential were no match for the discrimination and stereotypes he faced. Alcoholism -- in this case -- seems to be an escape from the haunting reality that sometimes we can't fight the societal forces that limit us. I imagine that in any society, from Apartheid in South Africa to racial discrimination in the South -- that a person who is gifted but isn't allowed to succeed will be the same person that dies a slow death. It's sad, really. The son benefits from the father's passion, even though the father can't climb out from the limitations of life on the reservation at that time. Well done. The text support is used very well.
Delete!
ReplyDeleteIt’s amazing how much you can find out about someone just by getting to know
them a little better. Such as my dad and myself. You’ll never guess it but at basketball
games my dad will sit in the corner and yell and scream out stuff to the players and the
referees, but once you get to know them a little bit more you’ll realize that he is the
funniest guy you’ll ever meet in your life. Then again he can be the meanest guy you’ll
ever meet. That is how I connect with the story “Superman and Me”. It seems like the
dad is a harmless little figure, but that isn’t how it worked out.
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When I first read the short story “Superman and Me” I first thought how it could
involve a boy who is idolized by superman. Then I came to realize that it was superman
was the boys father. So it hit me that the father was the boys idol. That was when we
watched the interview, and Sherman began to talk about how his father was a drunk.
That changed my whole opinion about the father. I thought it was funny how he was a
huge book reader and a drunk...hows that work? It seems like a split personality. Now
the father just seems like a careless old fart to me now that doesn’t care about anyone
other than himself.
I like that you connected to Sherman Alexie's relationship with his father to your relationship with your dad. You clarify that your dad is different in different situations and that is true of all of us. Maybe Alexie's discussion of his father as a "drunk" is to show how sometimes the amount of work ethic/intelligence a person [his father] has cannot make the societal forces that subdue him go away. I mean Alexie understands that his father's situation is "an American tragedy that is played out on reservations everyday." The word tragedy makes me think that the drinking his father died from is a direct reaction to the depression and hopelessness he felt as he couldn't control the discrimination he faced. It's so sad that potential had to take a back seat to society and to ignorance.
DeleteMicahDecember 10, 2012 10:18 AM
ReplyDeleteSports. Sherman Alexie hated that the Cleveland Indians mascot was Chief Wahoo. He thinks it really racist. The logo looks a lot like Sambo. I think he hates it because it is so similar to Sambo. The main feature was the size of the mouth and the eyes. The mouth is really wide and tall while to eyes are far apart. You also have to think about when the organization was founded. Back when it was founded racism wasn't a big deal as it is today. So nobody thought that the logo was bad. Neither really are acceptable but society tends too overlook things like that.
MY Reply
I think that those are some great points that you brought up. Those are very controversial to todays society. The problem should be taken seriously and delat with as legally healthy as possible.
Racism was always a "big deal" but perhaps it was the group in power who lessened its impact. Maybe the fact that it wasn't a "big deal" also has to do with lack of exposure and education. I agree with you -- both symbols are racist and demeaning. They should both be gone versus just one being gone.
Delete1.I agree with some of his comments from the interview. Some of what he does, like saying he is more original than the native americans on the reservation.The people on the reservation practice their old religions, they live as they were. Sherman does move around just to show his book, but the original native americans moved to follow the food. He says he doesn’t believe in ‘magic’. He was talking about like the a rain dance, he was very thoughtful about this statement. He has to be brave to go against his family's beliefs.
ReplyDeleteHe says that in his short story he says that an intelligent indian is the most dangerous one. Whenever an Indian says he is traditional, you know he is full of sh.. this could be controversial because some indians are still ‘traditional’. They are just more ‘traditional’ than he is. The mascot and the restaurant advertisement are both stereotypes that are just exaggerated, like big lips.
The statements you refer to are definitely controversial. I imagine they hurt the people on the reservations because the stereotypes about Indians being holy are one of the only positive stereotypes that whites held in regards to Native Americans. Although we know that stereotypes are beliefs perpetuated by the culture in control, it's still a positive thought. Alexie goes on to claim that there really are holy people in every culture, but that to say a culture is holy just because of its culture -- well he points out that is wrong for everyone.
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