Defending Walt Whitman by Sherman Alexie
"Defending Walt Whitman" by Sherman Alexie presents a unique intersection of American poetry and contemporary Indigenous culture, particularly through the lens of reservation basketball. In this work, Alexie engages with Walt Whitman, a pivotal figure in American literature known for his innovative style and themes of individuality and inclusivity. He imagines how Whitman, with his open and fluid identity, would resonate with the dynamic and spirited nature of young Native American basketball players, whom he describes as "twentieth-century warriors." This connection highlights the significance of basketball within Indigenous communities, where it serves as both a cultural touchstone and a source of pride. Alexie's exploration delves into the themes of strength, identity, and the celebration of athleticism among Native youth, while also acknowledging Whitman’s legacy as a champion of diverse voices. The piece invites readers to consider the cultural parallels between Whitman's poetic vision and the vibrant energy of basketball on reservations, emphasizing a shared spirit of resilience and expression. Overall, the work serves as a reflection on how historical figures can resonate with modern experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of both literature and contemporary Indigenous identities.
Defending Walt Whitman by Sherman Alexie
Excerpted from an article in Magill’s Survey of American Literature, Revised Edition
First published: 1996 (collected in The Summer of Black Widows, 1996)
Type of work: Poem
The Work
“Defending Walt Whitman” provides Alexie with an opportunity to write about reservation basketball, one of his favorite topics, even as he responds to a nineteenth century icon of American poetry who was singularly responsible for breaking away from standard meter, rhyme, and subject matter. Alexie imagines that the bisexual Whitman would be quite charmed with the vision of sweaty, brown young men who are gallant in their own way yet who are initially defined as “twentieth-century warriors who will never kill.”
Alexie is aware of the primacy of basketball among Indian youth throughout the United States, and he is only one of a number of Indian writers who have noticed the phenomenon. Alexie seems unaware that Whitman died in the same year that basketball was invented by James Naismith (1892). Alexie is certainly aware of the powerful dynamic of combining the inclusive, poetic Whitman with the energies and angles of a game of basketball.
Bibliography
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Fast, Robin Riley. The Heart as a Drum: Continuance and Resistance in American Indian Poetry. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2000.
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Vickers, Scott B. Native American Identities: From Stereotype to Archetype in Art and Literature. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1998.