Flight Sherman Alexie Analysis

In the novel Flight by Sherman Alexie, the narrator Zits says, “Yes, I am Irish and Indian, which would be the coolest blend in the world if my parents were around to teach me how to be Irish and Indian. But they’re not here and haven’t been for years, so I’m not really Irish and Indian. I’m a blank sky, a human solar eclipse” (Alexie 5). In my opinion this quote could mean, since his parents died or left there is no one to help him learn his background or his culture. He is a sky without clouds, a person with no history or a human that is blocked from being who they really are, who he want to be. Irish or Indian. Depending on who you are and what you believe in, you would question if it is important to know your nationality. Me, Personally,
I don’t really care if you know your nationality or background. It doesn’t really matter to me. It might affect how you act or react to a certain situation because of the culture, but all in all it comes down to who you really are and not your culture. Some people might not like their religion, history, or background but they end up being forced into it because it was passed down through generation.
My parents are from Thailand, but I was born in New York. My mom’s family is full Thai, while my dad is half Thai and half White. My parents have been teaching me Thai since I was young but I’ve been losing my ability to speak Thai throughout the years. I mainly speak english while my parents speak Thai.
The only part of the Thai culture that I hold on to is the food aspect of it. I eat a lot of Thai food. Mainly Pad Thai Gai or Khao Pad Gai (anything with chicken involved). Thailand is known for their exotic foods, extravagant temples, and their marvelous beaches. Thailand is also known to be the 13th most friendliest country, accepting 16 million international flights year round. Songkran (Thai new year) is an event that takes place over the course of three days for water-splashing fun! People have water fights to celebrate the new year. This I believe is the most enjoyable part of being Thai, other than the food of course!
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” - Marcus Garvey
I believe Marcus Garvey’s quote is correct to a certain point. I believe that people don’t really have to know their family culture, but should know their past history or origin. People could change their culture but they can’t change their history or origin.