There There: Chapters 1 and 2

The author of There There, Tommy Orange. He seems to have a very thoughtful expression on his face.
What he is thinking about?

I have heard about books that tell a story from multiple perspectives. So I find it interesting that this book follows that lay out. The first two chapters are both set in Oakland. They both are from the perspective of guys who have had difficult lives, Tony Loneman and Dene Oxendene. Tony only talked to his mother when she was in jail. While Dene grew up with his mother looking after him. Tony sells drugs and Dene smokes weed. They are both what would be termed Urban Indians. They have both lived in Oakland their entire lives. They feel a connection to their heritage.

They may not live in tepees or on the open prairie, but that does not make them any less Native. They are still aware of their past and they respect. However, they also go out and make their own lives. Tony danced at powwows when he was younger. His grandmother taught him about his heritage which I believe made him embrace it. His reason for selling drugs is a relate able one. Tony wants to help support his grandmother in any way he can. Yes he does not like doing it sometimes but he does it. I think this reflects the usual idea of Indians being loyal their families. Unlike Tony, Dene seems to have a more open minded person.   

Dene embraces his heritage in a more open and direct way. His enrolled in two tribes, indicating his is proud of his native roots. He wants to people to tell him their stories. Not traditional stories they learned but their own life stories. This sounds very therapeutic to me in a way. His intentions are good and he goes the extra mile by applying for a grant. This signifies that Dene has a noble ambition. He wants people to see how real Urban Indians live. Rather than project the downtrodden traditional stereotype so many people fine familiar.     

Tear by Linda Hogan (Chickasaw)

The author of this amazing poem, Linda Hogan. 

"Tear" by Linda Hogan was the first poem I read in #NotYourPrincess Voices of Native American Women. It really set the tone for this collection of poems. The pom is simple in structure and a quick read. But the language and tone of the poem resonates with me. The repeated lines "They walk inside me. This blood / is a map of the road between us. / I am why they survived. / The world behind them did not close. / The world before them is still open. / All around me are my ancestors, / my unborn children." made me understand the poems purpose. The culture of the speakers ancestors is kept alive through her and the child she will have. The world that her ancestors lived is gone but not forgotten. The future of her culture and her people is full of opportunity. This speaker believes firmly that Native Americans will continue to fight to be heard in the modern world. This is the first in several posts I will make about poems from this collection.

Final thoughts on Give Me Some Truth.

Give Me Some Truth was a very interesting book. I followed the two striking journeys of Maggie and Carson. Mr. Matchstick learned that he needs to stop trying to control everything. Sometimes he needs to have more faith in his bandmates. During the Battle of the Bands his group sounded great even though Carson was not leading them. Lewis finally stood up for himself and took on Jim in a fight. He got his butt whooped a bit but he proved that Jim can not push him around anymore. Carson learned that peaceful protest can work if you work at it. In spite of his father's violent action turning it into a riot. 

I am happy that Maggie did not 'give' her virginity to Jim. That man did not really care about her. He just wanted to be with someone who made him feel young. She finally sees and confronts this in the last chapter of the book. She is taking full control of her life. However, I am still hoping in the future that she and Carson might get together. As soon as they both grow up a little more. One thing that seems to really surprised Maggie is that Marvin gets a life of his own. He starts to assist the drummers at socials. 

Carson reads about the real Geranal George Armstrong Custer. The man was known as a great 'Indian Killer" in spite of being massacred by Indians at the Battle of Little Bighorn. He realizes that a man like that should be used as a mascot for a restaurant. Throughout the novel, Carson learns why his brother attempted to rob Custards Last Stand. Derek wanted to make a political statement. I think it is plausible that Carson could be a season peaceful protester in the future. 

Overall, I did enjoy this book. When I started reading this book I was not sure what it was about. But as I kept reading it the meaning and purpose of the book came through. Carson, Lewis, and Maggie were all effected by the songs of the Beatles. In the end they all wanted to seek their own kind of truth in this world. 

Thank you all for reading this post. I'll be posting about some poems written by Native Americans about Native American. Also, I will be giving out an update on what I have been up to during this pandemic.