When Aaron & Jessica moved away, they left me with a nice pile of magazines. I especially enjoy the Utne Reader. They make great bath tub reading, something to keep me there (I am usually too restless and prefer a long shower). Last night I found an article on Sherman Alexie. I had read Ten Little Indians a while back (April 22 entry) and thought his writing exceptional, a good view into the Native Indian off the reservation assimilating into American culture, a process that many minority groups have experienced. (I know it first hand from my parents as Jewish immigrants.) In Alexie’s case his desire to proclaim (emphatically) what it is to be “Indian” from a reservation in America sets him apart from other writers.
What struck me about the article was the emphasis on Alexie’s desire to succeed. He might not have been the most talented writer in his university classes, but he had the most determination. “More dedication” his college writing professor, Alex Kuo, once said. Alexie knows there was a gap in writings about Native Indians and he is determined to fill it. And he has the “star” personality--witty, handsome, outgoing, charming.
Reading this article will certainly make me look at his writing differently. If the desire to succeed is more important than the urge to create, express, communicate, it would be a shaky hand holding the banner of greatness. I don’t think that is all there is to his urge to write. There is an underlying introspection, wisdom, vulnerability and wry humor as well. Real passion for what he is communicating. His goal is to reach Indian kids by being accessible with his “star” status, give them a hero who is like them, cut from the same mold. And he’s doing it.