Absolutely True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian

The act of not judging before truly knowing is something that most people struggle not to do. In the novel “The Absolutely True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie, Arnold Spirit understands this thoroughly. He falls victim to others judging him too quickly but on the other hand he also does the same to his white friends. He makes decisions about them and their homes before he has any idea. If he hadn't given up these false notions, he may have missed out on some quality people. He then realizes that everyone has problems and he is not alone. When looking through the Reader Response lens it is strikingly apparent to see that empathy for other people's lives can lead to a better understanding of yourself and the development of quality
It happens a lot in times of loss and we know Arnold has a lot of loss and this really comes into play when he loses his grandmother. Everyone takes a step back and is empathetic of Arnold and all that he's lost. They know that things are not always easy and no matter how mad they are they will always have a connection with him because they are a tribe. Everyone has problems that's what makes us unified. People don't really know what is going on in someone's life until they live in their shoes for just a little bit. Not judging and seeing everything as it truly is and not what anyone else has decided it will be is important because the truth can be found and not letting others be in control along with taking control of one’s life. For example when Arnold begins to understand more of penelope when he finds out she's bulimic. He sees that he is more than hta he first thought and saw. He begins to see the complexity in the individual. Judging less can lead to knowing one’s self more. Moreover, confidence can come from self-awareness. “I suppose it had something to do with confidence. I mean, I'd always been the lowest Indian on the reservation totem pole – I wasn't expected to be good so I wasn't. But in Reardan, my coach and the other players wanted me to be good. They needed me to be good. They expected me to be good.”
How is someone supposed to be empathetic when they already have a perceived notion about them? This is still happening today, with racism being one of the best examples of it. This book was set in the 90s, so it's not to say racism is gone now but we'd like to think it could be better than it is. Although it is an exigent problem, it remains one that cannot seem to be resolved. It is a hindrance that keeps us from a being a more unified country and human population as a whole. When you reduce someone to just a stereotype, it expunges any individuality that person might have. Letting preconceived notions become more important than the reality of who they truly are will only end poorly. Arnold talked about Indians and the bane of alcoholism but inferring that all Indians are alcoholics is a blockheaded way of thinking. For example Arnold's grandma who lived a life of sobriety. “But my grandmother had never drunk alcohol in her life.” (Alexie 158). Looking at the situation someone may have assumed oppositely just because of her