Thursday, February 24, 2011
Absolutely True Diary Deep Question
Alcoholism is described by Junior, particularly towards the end of the book, as a major problem on his reservation and in most Native American reservations. Alcohol caused the death of his grandmother, his sister, and a family friend. He emphasized the vast majority of deaths on his reservation are alcohol related. Why do you think many of the Spokane Native Americans are alcoholics? Have you ever been to a reservation and seen evidence to refute or confirm Junior's criticism of Native Americans having a problem with alcohol?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I worked for Upward Bound at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. It is a program that helps students who might not have a chance to go to college, gain a sense of university experience by having a successful residential summer experience taking classes. THe students there were largely native American students from a reservation. I taught them English, and they taught me about their culture. We were able to go on a field trip to the "rez" and I saw firsthand what life was like for these students. Alcoholism was rampant on the rez, and this was a topic we addressed in group meetings. I'm not sure of the reason why, but do know there is a genetic propensity toward alcoholism, and this could be part of it.
ReplyDeleteIt has been well documented that alcohol didn't exist among the American Indian tribes until the colonists arrival. The colonists used alcohol as a tool in trade negotiations with the native people. Then its use spread through a culture and never had a chance to establish social rules surrounding it's use. I think the loss of culture paired with high rates of poverty resulted in high incidences of alcoholism. One witnesses higher levels of alcoholism and drug abuse among those of lower ses status, this is more pronounced in rural communities.
ReplyDeleteSusan your answer is exactly the one I have read about when I took my Wisconsin Native American class at UW Eau Claire last year. You are right on with your answer. And to address Mary's question, since Europeans have had thousands of years of more experience with alcohol than Native Americans, they were more socially conditioned to know its affects and practice moderation. So I would say Native Americans have a social propensity toward alcoholism too. I have also heard they have a genetic proclivity for it as well because they did not evolve with alcohol as Europeans did.
ReplyDelete