Where in the novel "The absolutely diary of a part time indian" is systematic oppression displayed

Answer 1

Systematic oppression is displayed in multiple instances throughout the novel "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie. Here are a few examples:

1. Poverty: Throughout the story, the protagonist, Arnold Spirit Jr., commonly known as Junior, consistently faces poverty and its consequences. The poverty in the Spokane Indian Reservation limits his opportunities and access to resources, such as quality education, healthcare, and basic necessities. This economic hardship is a result of long-standing systemic oppression faced by Native American communities in the United States.

2. Limited educational opportunities: Junior's school on the reservation lacks necessary funding and resources, leading to poorly equipped classrooms, outdated textbooks, and inexperienced teachers. The lack of a proper educational environment hinders the potential for academic achievement, forcing Junior to seek a better education at a more privileged, predominantly white school outside the reservation. This highlights the systematic oppression that denies Native American students equal educational opportunities.

3. Racist Stereotypes: Stereotypes about Native Americans play a significant role in the novel. Junior constantly encounters derogatory comments and actions from both white and Native American individuals. These stereotypes perpetuate systemic oppression, as they dehumanize and marginalize Native Americans, affecting their self-esteem and sense of worth.

4. Discrimination and marginalization: Junior faces discrimination and marginalization, both within and outside the Indian reservation. For instance, he is often considered an outcast in his own community due to his decision to attend a white school. Additionally, while attending Rearden High School, he experiences racism, isolation, and bullying from his white classmates. Such exclusion and mistreatment come from a deeply entrenched systemic oppression that disregards the value and worth of Native Americans.

These instances of systematic oppression in "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" illustrate the challenges faced by Indigenous communities and highlight the need for dismantling such systems.