"Life is a constant struggle between being an individual
and being a member of the community."
from The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
by Sherman Alexie
It was about 2008 when my colleague Jamie Hietpas introduced me to Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. She enticed me by asking me to read the first two pages and commented something like, “I just couldn’t put this down until I finished reading it. It’s so funny, so sad, yet SO good.” I borrowed Jamie’s copy and found myself immersed in this book for the next few days - a feverish read.
Just last August I devoured You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me, Sherman Alexie’s latest book, leaving this review on my Goodreads page:
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| My brief review of You Don't Have to Say You Love Me |
You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me was one of my favorite books that I have read in a long time, and I have recommended this title to many readers, including older high school students, colleagues, and friends. In addition, his honest voice and vulnerability is what I have loved about his writing the most. Alexie does not portray himself as perfect in this memoir. In fact, sometimes I “lifted a line” from this book to help inspire my own writing. I even studied a few of Alexie’s lines as mentor sentences.
Monday I was caught off guard. This article popped up on my Facebook feed. As I searched the Internet I dug in deeper, including an article from Indian Country including these words one woman said about Sherman Alexie in the title, “He’s poisonous.” Jaw dropped.
I couldn’t help but feel disappointed, almost betrayed when I read the details of the accusations.
Alexie has been accused of using his literary status and power over women, especially aspiring female writers. He recently (and vaguely) addressed these accusations, as reported in this article from The Oregonian.
I’ve been in situations before when I have felt overpowered. When I was in high school I was mistreated by a manager at a local restaurant where I was working. A co-worker stood up for me and notified our boss. I briefly wrote about it here in a 50 Word Story. Although I was assured by my boss that I did nothing wrong, and he told me that he was glad that he knew about the sexual harassment so he could take action to protect me and others, I still felt ashamed, as it was somehow my fault. Truly, I have been fortunate to escape some of the horror that many women (and other individuals) have endured regarding sexual harassment/assault, yet the incident I referenced earlier truly messed with my mind.
No one should be put in a position where someone holds power over them. We need to make dramatic changes so it is not so common to have a #metoo story.
Yesterday these lines from one of Sherman Alexie’s most recently published poems, “Hymn”, popped out at me:
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| A line from "Hymn" |
And I ruminated over these lines fromThe Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian,
"There are all different kinds of addicts, I guess. We all have pain. And we all look for ways to make the pain go away."
Honestly, the accusations towards Sherman Alexie shocked me. Immediately, I thought about my students who are currently reading his books, and I began wondering if I should share this information with my students. Of course I’ve taught and recommended books before to students who were written by less-than-perfect authors. I feel a little silly even writing about this since I have never met Sherman Alexie in person or even heard him speak. Yet, I felt like I knew Sherman Alexie by his writing. I didn’t think that he was someone who would sexually harass women. Maybe I am just that naive.
"There are all different kinds of addicts, I guess. We all have pain. And we all look for ways to make the pain go away."
Honestly, the accusations towards Sherman Alexie shocked me. Immediately, I thought about my students who are currently reading his books, and I began wondering if I should share this information with my students. Of course I’ve taught and recommended books before to students who were written by less-than-perfect authors. I feel a little silly even writing about this since I have never met Sherman Alexie in person or even heard him speak. Yet, I felt like I knew Sherman Alexie by his writing. I didn’t think that he was someone who would sexually harass women. Maybe I am just that naive.
Ultimately, these are questions that linger in my mind today, ones that I need to wrestle with a little longer:
- How do I talk about this with my students? Should I?
- Can I continue to adore Sherman Alexie’s writing, despite what I know about these accusations?
- What do I do when Sherman Alexie’s books are reaching my most vulnerable learners?
- Do I emphasize the writing or the writer?
- Are some acts worth forgiving?
I totally understand this post. I was following this a few weeks ago when the fallout started. The authors that were named shocked and disappointed me, but none more so than Alexie. I share his books, in my Contemporary Lit class we read Diary and kids loved it. I think if I hadn't retired and was still teaching it, I would share the article and talk about it before we read the book. At the end a good discussion on whether the book is still a good despite the actions of the author.
ReplyDeleteMaybe. I don't know. This is tough.
I am relieved that you understand my post, Deb. Thank you for sharing your perspective with me. My friend and colleague/librarian reminded me that the #metoo movement has changed the conversation, and I hope for the better for our society. I am not specifically teaching any of Alexie's works right now, but I think, like you, if I was that I would share this article before we read the book. I think it would be interesting getting student perspectives on this issue, too.
DeleteI haven't fully formed my opinions on this issue yet, and I haven't followed the Alexie story as closely as have others. Still, the past few years I've wrestled w/ the cult of celebrity that has elevated some writers to a point that we don't separate the writing from the writer, the narrative voice from the creator of that voice.
ReplyDeleteI have read several of Alexie's books, and teaching in a feeder school for a reservation has informed my opinions about Alexie, whom some Native American students see as trafficking in stereotypes but whom others see as truthful about reservation life. I have the new memoir and plan to read it this summer.
In terms of the fandom surrounding many YA authors, I've long been bothered by this. One popular author, whom I'll not named, uses her/his platform to vehemently vilify teachers who don't want to dump the cannon in the dumpster. I won't buy or recommend that author's books because I don't like the binary or the castigating those in my profession who recognize the cannon has value.
I guess what I'm saying is I question our inability to separate art from artist, but I certainly don't think authors who have abused their status and power deserve a public platform in school visits, signings, etc. As Deb says, this is a tough issue. And I'm still thinking through my positions.
Glenda, I really appreciate your thoughtful comments. Your comments certainly make me think the cult of celebrity, especially with writers. I have thought a lot lately about how (and if) we can separate the writing/art from the person. I am really not sure about this.
DeleteI think that, in general, we don't have enough perspectives about Native Americans. Your comments also make me wonder what other Native American perspectives I have not read.
Thanks for such a thoughtful response.
I imagine you've read Louise Erdrich, but have you read "Ceremony" by Leslie Marmon Silko?
DeleteI intended to mention Alexie's own references to himself as "Indian du jour," and I can't help but wonder about abuse w/in his own family and the cyclical nature of behaviors.
Finally, some of my favorite male authors are SOBs in real life (or were): Faulkner, Steinbeck, Naipaul, to name a few.
Louise Erdrich is one of my favorites. I have read Ceremony, but it was in college!
DeleteI have also thought about abuse being cyclical as well...wondering how much that has affected Alexie...
Yes, I agree with the authors you mentioned!
I took a social media vacation for awhile and missed that. It’s disappointing, for sure. My thoughts: There are two authors whose work I genuinely like, but when I met and interacted with them, I discovered they were jerks. Keeping them deliberately nameless. Jerk is a far cry from these accusations, but I guess the principle still stands that if the person is writing fiction and not influencing me as a religious leader, I guess I can enjoy the work with diminished respect for its creator as a human.
ReplyDeleteThere are probably others whose accusations will never see the light, and their work is still acceptable. Will I buy more of his in the future? I don’t honestly know. I doubt it. I will let the work stand on its own merit but no longer give my money to the individual. Probably.
Other things—
There are things I love about social media, but there are definitely things I don’t!
I talk about things I read there with students, but it’s hard for me to know where to land in discussing this topic. The culture of abuse being tolerated is one of the things I detest about the NFL. A powerful man in his field - regardless of the field- should not be excused for this behavior. Yet, a small voice inside me whispers that I have counseled so many students against living out their conflicts on social media and believing everything that’s there. Lives and reputations get ruined, and the true story with ALL its details goes untold. Again... maybe he did. In all likelihood, he did. Why about it as a victim? No good reason.
I might talk about it with some as individuals.
I might read the article but do so in relation to a unit about something to which it relates, not just as info about the author.
Just my rambling thoughts as I literally process this for the first time.
Thank you for this thoughtful response to my post. You bring up some great, wise points. I, too, am wondering what pieces are missing from social media in this story.
DeleteYou reminded me of at least two professional educational "celebs" (also purposely not naming) that I respected and believed in their work. Then I met those two individuals (not at the same time), and how they responded to people/their vocal comments made me lose their respect.
Thank you again for helping me consider some different perspectives.