Analysis Of White Men Can T Drum By Sherman Alexie

Native Americans or Indians can be seen to have a unique perspective on modern America for many reasons. Natives of the land that became America lived through many hardships at the hands of our early ancestors. This shared history between white immigrants and natives and the current state of American-Indian culture, which has been commercialized by white society; both contribute to this unique perspective. In the short article “White Men Can’t Drum” by Sherman Alexie, the author attempts to convey some of the emotions and feelings that accompany Native American life and society in modern culture. In writing, tone is used to convey the author’s attitude towards the writing. As with any writing on the topics of race or culture, the author will usually attempt to convey; through the use of tone, an attitude

He argues that modern white men see Native American culture as a novelty that they can steal as easily as they stole the land from the Indians in the first place. Alexie writes that this stolen culture stretches across many mediums, from movies to lectures to fake Indian artifacts. He writes, “The Men’s movement seems designed to appropriate and mutate so many aspects of Native American traditions” (155). The article centers on this point, that the culture of Native Americans is being used in a novelty-type way. The author’s specific use of tone is again apparent when he refers to this commercialization as “Indians “R” Us” (155), the use of this colloquialism is a perfect example of how the authors tone conveys his attitude. However, it is important to be honest and straightforward about the impact of this “men’s movement” on the culture and the feelings of the Indian people, who have already suffered extensively. The author uses certain words to make sure that like in many objective history books the exploitation of his culture is not quickly brushed