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.