Sometimes it is a change to leave your hometown to somewhere that would give you a second chance in life or a better future. For Junior, he desperately wants to escape the reservation. He isn’t afraid of the outside world yet he knew that the outside world would bring him a better future.
Engage with a new world isn’t always for a better future. Like what most Americans think, we are here to seek for a better life. I can tell you that it’s true for a partial of people, but not all. There are many different reasons to why people who come to America; I came here to study and to see the differences between my country and America, and it is true for most international students. I believe that a person needs to learn from one another to promote oneself, if you don’t see or engage with something new, you would easily be outpaced.
While studying in America, I find that Americans lean more against isolationism because Americans don’t know a lot about the outside world or if one knows, it would only be surface knowledge. Why do I say this? A lot of Americans believe that they are the best in everything, indeed it has the strongest military in the world so far, but what Americans don’t know is that a lot of countries are catching up or even better than America in living, health care system or even welfares. This phenomenon is the result of lack of engaging with the outside world.
It is a right choice for Junior to leave his reservation to see new things no matter what reasons that triggered him to leave the rev. since he can always return. There will be more gain than lost with his choice.
Alright Jackson! Way to make a statement.
ReplyDeleteWe were just watching OBama's State of the Union address and a friend mentioned how appalling US statistics are in things like infant mortality, math/science attainment and other varied issues. I think we have many privileges in the US, yet as you point out we don't really know what is going on in other countries. At least not in the same way they do about us and each other.
It also interested me that you connected how leaving the reservation was in some ways like other people who have to leave home to find success. Mr Alexie is excellent in working in the universal as well as the local themes, and you saw it on both levels. Nice.
Living overseas helped me see my country differently-more positive and negative- more balanced I would say overall. Having the chance to interact with people from so many parts of the world and backgrounds on what was not my home territory made me listen/look at even familiar people,issues and events with new eyes.
I wonder though if Junior or anyone can always return home? Don't some people change so much their former "home" is no longer a comfortable fit? That is not exactly the right phrase, yet there is a phenomenon whereby you leave, do whatever, come back changed......yet your friends and family did not have the same experiences you have so are not changed in the same way. You either find a way to fit back into their lives, they find a way to blend into yours or you leave. I guess it also depends on the reactions of your friends and family to the new you.