Native American Culture Essay

Estrangement is the state of being withdrawn or isolated from the objective world, as through indifference or disaffection. Ill-advisedly, the genius from The L ace Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven is everlastingly bound in this state of mind. His internal conflicts enthrall between conflict for his autochthonic American ethnicity, and, decision his purpose to this world. This link between the both becomes a challenge due to his pessimistic, and prophylactic attitude for his race. The fibbers volatile actions imply his frustration towards the discrimination against his native Spokane reservation heritage.The protagonists indwelling American lift intertwined with washcloth culture challenges his Red and White thinking. The protagonists family style upbringing has distilled values that are outlived in his infixed American identity. Unfortunately, the protagonist is quite protective of his Native American descent. In fact, his view of people is quite pessimistic towards the Native American race. This rigidness to his ethnicity is foret hoar in two parts. As humans, we are first innate(p) with an identity that is kept close to us, such as Native American, African American, or Grecian.Although we are innate(p) with uniqueness the values we instill to our race are brought about through parents exertion in raising their children. For Sherman Alexie, hed developed a cynical character who bares strong connections to his Native American race. The protagonists existence and demeanor is uncanny because hed been destined for a sustenance of prosperity through public schooling and a college education. Found here, But I was special, a former college student, a smart kid. I was one of those Indians who was supposed to make it. I was a transport-looking kind of warrior. This quote reveals his sense of insecurity concerning his life thus far and how he has not lived up to his expectations. The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven exposes a few scenes whe re the main character is fighting for ethical freedom outside of Spokane. The protagonists discriminative experiences begin at a thingmabob store in Seattle where he feels like a predator lurking amongst his preys. As stated, He looked me over so he could describe me to the police later. The protagonist was familiar with this wicked look as hed lost a close relationship to its devilish hands once before.His loss began like this, When one person starts to look at another like a criminal, then the love is over. As Native American, these adverse impressions occur randomly as seen through the Police incident. In this scene, the protagonist had been pulled over in a wealthy neighborhood by the police officer, Youre making people nervous. You dont fit the profile of the neighborhood. This was a friendly way of saying you are not wanted in this area, please leave. These occurrences are upsetting to the narrator as they have affected his view of Whites.As the protagonist becomes disgust ed with life, he packs his belongings and heads home to Spokane in Washington State. While home, he realizes that connecting to his family and finding repose is not easy. His weak-minded thinking is foreseen here, Theyd been expecting me back the day I left for Seattle. Theres an erstwhile(a) Indian poet who said that Indians can reside in the city, but they can never live there. In fact, while living in Seattle, his dreams became nightmares of a vivid war scene between the Reds and Whites.The Indians became slaughtered by the Whites and at one point, Three mounted soldiers played polo with a dead Indian charwomans head. This graphic image stays with him as he found accounts of this madness occurred in the old west and in parts of the world today. The protagonists dreams and Native American ethnicity have instilled protective beliefs to his ethnicity and real life demeanor towards others. Although hes strong-willed concerning his background, insecurity remains present. one exe rcise occurs where he starts a job in Spokane at the local high school exchange program.He answers phone calls and asks himself, Sometimes I wonder if the people on the other end of the line cognise that Im Indian and if their voices would change if they did know. His insecurity exponentially evolves to every facet in his life and only exacerbates his pessimistic attitude. The cynical behavior by the protagonist has incurred due to several discriminatory experiences. One being, the protagonists cup is full which allows him to believe this Red vs. White rivalry will never change.Because of his ignorance, he leaves no trust to anyone and is forced to run when he encounters discrimination. One situation that symbolizes the protagonists doubtful thoughts is encountered at his hometown basketball court. He comes home to find the new BIA chiefs White kid named Jimmy Seyler who can play ball. And he could play. He played Indian ball, fast and loose, damp than all the Indians there. Tha t night, Jimmy whooped on every Indian who played Basketball. I recognize this as a change of tone and direction in the protagonists life.At this point in time, he realizes that he must submit to his Red vs. White rivalry in order to move forward in his life. Just as Jimmy will advance and become an NBA star, the gap between the two races, White and Indian will only become larger. Indians will control the micro reservation plains out West while the White culture advances to become a powerhouse stick out in the United States of America. Hereafter this epiphany, the protagonists life begins to move forward as he starts a new job and connects with his ex-girlfriend once again. .