The document announces a First Teen Night event at the library on October 11th from 6-8 pm to discuss the book "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie. It will include a book club discussion with questions, 2 activities, and passing in the book to complete a survey about future events.
1. First Teen Night
Book Club
“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie
October 11th, 6-8 pm
Discussion questions
2 activities
Pass in book
Survey
Future events
2. Arnolds says his parents are pretty good parents…”Sure, my dad has a drinking
problem and my mom can be a little eccentric, but they make sacrifices for
me. They worry about me. They talk to me. And best of all they listen to
me.” What do you think? Are they good parents?
Arnold says his grandmother’s most important quality is tolerance. Why did he
say that?
The Occupation of Alcatraz was an occupation of Alcatraz Island by
89 American Indians who called themselves Indians of All Tribes (IOAT).
The Alcatraz Occupation lasted for nineteen months, from November 20,
1969, to June 11, 1971, and was forcibly ended by the U.S. government.
3. At Junior’s grandmother’s funeral, Junior’s mother gives a white billionaire his
comeuppance to the delight of the whole community. “And then my mother started
laughing” Junior says “and that set us all off. And I realized that, sure Indians were
drunk and sad and displaced and crazy and mean but we knew how to laugh. When it
comes to death, we know that laughter and tears are pretty much the same thing.”
How does this reflect a cultural insider’s perspective and how does it disrupt
stereotypes about stoic Indians(Pocahontas- Kocoum)?
Comeuppance- a punishment or fate that someone deserves.
"he got his comeuppance"
synonyms: just deserts, just punishment, due, retribution, requital, what's coming to
one
4. Nobody is more surprised than Junior when he becomes popular at Reardon.
What about him draws people to him?
What did his drawings and cartoons contribute to the book? What does his
drawing do for him?
How are Junior’s friendships with Rowdy and Gordy different?
Rowdy Gordy
5. Does South Western PA have cultural markers? What is the behavior, speech
pattern, way of seeing the world, ethics and principle that belong here?
How does Rowdy and Junior handle their anger?
6. PG.42 Mr. P mentions that all the white people on the rez deserve to get their
face smashed in for trying to kill Indian culture.
What does he mean by trying to kill Indian culture?
Why did he think this was a good idea when he was younger?
What changed his mind?
“My name isn’t Easy” Debby Dahl Edwardson
Indian children sent to boarding schools to forget their culture and to learn
white American culture, began in 1870’s and ended in 1978 with Indian Child
Welfare Act when Indian parents were able to have legal rights to their
children.
7. Today’s activity is going to be modeled off the illustration of Arnold’s parents.
We will be creating such a drawing.
It doesn’t have to be sad, or focusing on someone that you feel didn’t quite
reach their potential, although it could be. You have the freedom to choose
whomever you would like, even someone famous.
Supplies: paper and coloring pencils
8. Why does Junior think Reardan is racist ?
“So what was I doing in racist Reardan…” (56)
Why is Junior offended? Should he be?
Pg.115,Why is Penelope a white trophy?
Does Junior see Penelope as a damsel in distress? Does it have anything to do
with her bulimia? What about her as a volleyball player, does she look weak
then?
Pg. 116, What is Gordy’s argument?
What does he mean by white girl privilege?
Ciudad Juarez, femicide
9. Pg. 85, Why does Mr. Dodge automatically believe what Gordy tells him, but
questions what Junior said?
Why do some of the rez people think Junior is a traitor or brave?
Pg. 64, Was Roger in the wrong?
Was Junior right to hit Roger when Roger was not touching him?
Pg. 109, Why was Earl so against interracial dating?
Prejudice-preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual
experience.
10. Pass out articles and read it
Pg.56 Reardon’s mascot. Do sports mascots offend Native Americans and
their culture? If so, in what ways? Can you think of any professional or high
school sports teams that use Native American mascots?
11. Cultural Appropriation
“Taking intellectual property, traditional
knowledge, cultural expressions, or
artifacts from someone else's culture
without permission. This can include
unauthorized use of another culture's
dance, dress, music, language, folklore,
cuisine, traditional medicine, religious
symbols, etc. It's most likely to be harmful
when the source community is a minority
group that has been oppressed or exploited
in other ways or when the object of
appropriation is particularly sensitive, e.g.
sacred objects”. - Scafidi, author of Who
Owns Culture? Appropriation and
Authenticity in American Law
According to this way of thinking, if
something is marketed as Native American
inspired, but is made in China and is not sold
by someone part of a tribe, then they are
profiting at Native Americans’ expense.
12. Appreciation
Here are some examples of ways some people have chosen to express cultural
appreciation:
Items bought from Native American seller
https://www.palmstrading.com/how-do-you-know-its-authentic-jewelry/
Learning about problems facing Native Americans. Ex.: Standing Rock Sioux
vs. Dakota Access Pipeline
Do they think it is ok to ban costumes from a party?
13. Review book
Everyone work together to make one big poster book review, include a five
star rating system
Poster, markers, sticky tack, pre-cut stars
16. Recommendations
For researching and learning practical skills try the libraries databases on
somersetcolibrary.org
Just go to the Research tab and click on Online Resources
Ap Images
Civics and You
Free Permit Practice tests
edX
17. Appreciation of Japanese Animation
Evening
Tuesday, November 22nd
6:00 PM
Somerset County Library
Howl;s Moving Castle, Princess Monoke, Ponyo or Kiki’s Delivery Service
Sushi Candy
Soot Sprite
Character figurines
Build Howl’s Moving Castle
Please bring small cardboard boxes