Sherman Alexie and Fredrick Douglass 50 Essays

Compare and Contrast Education is something so sacred to some people but there are many people that take it for granted as well. "The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me" by Sherman Alexie and "Learning to Read and Write" by Fredrick Douglass, is similar in many ways. Both of these men were so eager to learn when in the meantime so many people that do have the opportunity are so clueless. People are so clueless that there were others, and still are, that wish they were in a position to easily learn. Both of these men were minorities and grew up many years ago where learning was unusual. In their situation it was also forbidden in some ways. Although it was tough for both of them, they both felt compelled to take learning into their own hands. Alexie refused to be like others and Douglass did as well. Both of these men went through an astonishing experience to discover what they did. Not only did they both learn that education is something pleasurable, but they learned that it was difficult. Alexie, at three years old, started to teach himself how to read using a Superman comic book. He was quite a prodigy. Native-Americans were stereotypically supposed to fail in the classroom. Although they are different in so many ways, they are also alike in a many ways, Douglass taught himself and Alexie did the same. Although they taught themselves in different ways, they still did. That's what makes them alike. Slaves weren't allowed to read or write and Indians were considered outsiders if they did. Alexie being a Native American and Douglass being a slave, they were both outsiders. Growing up an Indian on a Reservation, not much was expected of Alexie in the knowledge department. “We were Indian children who were expected to be stupid” (p.17). Alexie was different. He had a great mind and wanted to put it to use unlike the other Indians. He loved to learn. Alexie was considered an outsider from the Native Americans because he loved to learn.