Alexi's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

For the most part ninety-nine percent of what I have read for my college career is written by someone who is long since dead, and their blemishes have been in full view for decades at the least. This fact seems to make it far easier for students and teachers to separate the author and their work from their personal beliefs. So, never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would be reading an author and have them embroiled in scandal. Had I read this book even just a week ago my blog post would just focus on how Alexi's story is a moving one, and how his characters show strength in the face of adversity. My blog post would also touch on how it is a great thing to see a local writer of Native American descent become a nationally respected writer. I am now struggling with how I feel about Sherman Alexi. On the one hand, I don't think there is any denying that he is a talented writer who has managed to bring the issues that face Native Americans to the forefront through his writing. But on the other hand, I don't believe that the mounting allegations against him can be ignored. We can't ignore and silence the victims of his abuses just because he is a respected writer. The fact that he has is facing multiple allegations of sexual harassment has changed how I feel about including him in my classroom. Prior to today, I would have had my copy of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian in my classroom library, but in light of the current situation that he is in the midst of I would not have this book displayed proudly on my shelf in my class.