From: Debbie Reese <debreese>
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:08:01 -0500

KT,

Thanks for your response.

I've touted the book on my site, in lectures, because I like it very much.

The colleague who I was talking with is gay. Part of what spurred my email to ccbc is the news of the 11 year old boy in Massachusetts who committed suicide. News reports are that he was taunted as being gay. I thought again about the exchange between Rowdy and Junior where "faggot" is tossed about. My colleagues concern with the language, and the young boy's suicide, are colliding for me right now. Hence, I am thinking about the book.

For the person who emailed me privately, I too am Native and have endured (and endure) the same struggles that Alexie has. Please know that raising this question unnerves me a great deal. I really really like Alexie's work. I've taught the book in my courses at UIUC, and for years I've been showing his film BUSINESS OF FANCYDANCING.

My question should not be read as a suggestion that I think Alexie is homophobic. A big part of the joy I feel over his book is how realistic it is. I agree, my nephews talk just like Rowdy and Junior, but I don't WANT them to speak the word
"faggot" as they do. I'm sounding hypocritical, aren't I?

Debbie


Visit my Internet resource: American Indians in Children's Literature http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.net

Debbie A. Reese (Namb? O'-ween-ge') Assistant Professor, American Indian Studies University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Native American House, Room 2005 1204 West Nevada Street, MC-138 Urbana, Illinois 61801

Email: debreese at illinois.edu TEL 217-265-9885 FAX 217-265-9880
Received on Fri 10 Apr 2009 03:08:01 PM CDT