Growing Up In Poverty, By Sherman Alexi

Both of their parents did not bring Brian to the hospital because they felt “one kid in the hospital at a time [was] enough” (Walls 13). Jeanette had the opportunity to live a normal childhood but her parents chose to be poverty stricken because they both did not have the motivation to live in a civilized society and work. Because of this, Jeanette and her siblings had to endure a neglectful childhood and be made fun of by other kids because they were so poor. Both of her parents were educated, however neither of them could hold a job because they felt too constricted on doing one task. Even though the family was living in poverty, Jeanette’s parents educated, loved, and educated the kids with values; however her parents failed to provide the kids their basic needs of survival.

Other figures speak about all the things being poor taught them but Junior states how being poor just teaches you what it feels like to be poor. By joking about this it takes a heavy, dark subject and makes it feel more “friendly and open”. Not only did Junior make jokes about growing up in poverty but so did other characters throughout the novel. Mr. Dodge, Juniors geology teacher, once said "'Okay Arnold,' Dodge said. ' Where did you learn this fact?

In the novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie the main character Junior faces many harsh challenges before he chooses to leave the rez. Some of the challenges he faces are poverty, having a disability, and bullying. He must face all of these challenges in order to be the person he is today. In the beginning of the story after we find out that Junior had hydrocephalus we also learn that he and his family are very poor.

Alongside this, Junior’s poverty only seems to get worse in his mind when his dad dropped him off at

Living in a Spokane reservation, Junior shows how poverty makes people turn to alcoholism as a way to cope. He represents this by showing the experiences of Eugene, and Mary, as well as his grandmother. “Eugene was a good guy, and like an uncle to me, but he was drunk all the time. Not stinky drunk, just drunk enough to be drunk. He was a funny and kind drunk, always wanting to laugh and hug you and sing songs and dance.”

Junior loses a lot of friends and family at the young age of fourteen. He gets bullied because he was born with too much cerebral spinal fluid inside his skull, but he has his best friend Rowdy there to help him. Junior realizes that he needs to leave the reservation to get a better life for himself. He goes to a new school off the

When Junior is in Reardan (the little white town),he is “half Indian,”and when he is in Wellpinit (his home reservation),he is “half white.” “It was like being Indian was my job,” he says, “but it was only a part time job. And it didn’t pay well at all.” At Reardan High,why does Junior pretend to have money than he does,even though he knows that “lies have short shelf lives”? Before, I begin,I would like to point out that Junior is obviously poor and lives on the reservation.

It is uncommon to try to branch out and achieve high goals. Junior mentions this commonality at the beginning of his journey, “Poverty doesn't give you strength or teach you lessons about perseverance. No, poverty teaches you how to be poor” (Alexie 13). Junior fights this by moving to a predominantly white school, his goal is to get out of the reservation. Impressively, his sister also fights this when she spontaneously decides to get married and move far away from her family.

In the midst of all of this he finds a balance by focusing on what really matters. At the same time this keeps him focused on his main goal which is education. Education will be his family's way out of poverty. Through seeing his younger brother that is unemployed and will be having a child soon he looks beyond this and is genuinely proud of where he comes from. He realizes how strong his family is when he seems them fighting through poverty and making things.

Faced with many obstacles from poverty to racial stereotypes, Junior must override them if he is to make his life better than that of fellow Indians. Interestingly, rather than letting the obstacles hold him back Junior understands that his destiny is in his own hands and he must celebrate who he is even if it means fighting. In the end, we see a boy who have managed to overcome all hardships to get to the top, even if it means making tough choices such as changing schools, therefore is could be seen that race and stereotypes only made Junior

The impoverished conditions in which the residents of this community live are difficult based on the surrounding violence and discrimination they face. Tre, Ricky’s best friend, is able to survive the surrounding violence and discrimination through his father’s sensational leadership; he therefore knows what to do in situations he faces among his friends. However, his friends are not so lucky. For example, Dough doesn’t have great leadership or a father figure, but is raised by a single mother who is determined to get her children to succeed; nevertheless, her main focus is Ricky because he has the most potential; he is an

Junior initially shows this quality when he averts his lack of money at the breakfast after the dance. Sick with worry, Junior confesses his lack of money to Roger, who responds with care by lending him money. Though Junior lies about the location of his wallet out of shame, he bravely asks for help from Roger. Thus, he approaches his dilemma with courage which indicates his capability to acclimate. Also, Junior reacts to the heartbreak of his grandmother’s death by finding an outlet to his struggles.

In the article 7 kids 1 apartment What Poverty Means to This Teen by Courtney stein a young boy named Jairo Gomez lives with his mother and 6 siblings in tiny apartment, he explains how he had to grow up fast for his age to help his mother. He quotes how his having to work 13 hour shifts and making food deliveries on his bike just to help his mother. Jairo has also explained how he failed all of his classes because he was missing school to be at home and take care of his younger siblings. Facing these hardships, it was an eye opener to him and instead of continuing to suffer in school he deiced to have a talk with his mom and explain to her that he wants to be able to graduate. Jairo pushed himself more and more to overcome his tragedy.

One example of this is when Gary takes off the coat, because he would rather be cold than look poor and be made fun of. “Even though it was cold, I took off the jacket during lunch and played kickball in a thin shirt, my arms feeling like braille from goose bumps,” (Soto 5). The fact that Gary preferred to freeze shows just how strong his resentment towards his own poverty really is. Things do not improve for Gary as time goes on. His classmates start to avoid him, rather than be associated with his poverty.

Certainly, growing up in poverty is a strength I hold dear to my heart. Surely, it was a struggle my parents, myself, and my brothers, however, my challenging past influenced me to be a hard worker, show up to work 15 minutes early, and perform my duties so I can have a job. Lastly, growing up in this financial condition has taught me how to value life instead of personal belongings.