Diary of a Part-Time Indian

As we discussed in class, this novel was a much easier read than the previous core readings of the course. This story was touching and what was really good about it was the main character, Junior's, perseverance. When he first left the reservation, he was taking a major step in proving not just to his peer but to the world that Native Americans were not who everyone said they were; that Native American were just as capable as any other. Junior's decision to go to an all white school, in my eye's is a protest to the oppressed state that Native Americans had been in for a long time. It reminded me of the struggle of the African American and the well known advocates of equality such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. who said "enough is enough, I'm taking a stand, and I'm not taking no for an answer." Junior was in a sense like these individuals. He wanted to experience life outside of the reservation, which was a place really of torture the Native Americans were forced to live on. Junior was carrying the burden of the entire Native American race, and although he was afraid, and had health problems, a speech impediment, low self esteem,no friends, and no one to back him up, he was determined to stick that thing out. That type of attitude is admirable and just speaks to me, because I'm reminded again of the African American. I have heard many stories from grandparents and great grand parents about the courage, persevere and determination they had in a raciest, discriminatory, segregated, prejudice society, just like Junior. I believe that if you face something with courage and with a mindset that you already have the victory...everything will work out. And that is exactly what Junior did, inspite of the hatred he faced, inspite of the physical opposition and so forth. It was hard, but you have to go through some things to see the other side.