I think most Native American literature is unreadable by the vast majority of Native Americans. Generally speaking Indians don't read books. It's… — Sherman Alexie Copy Share Image
I grew up in a storytelling culture, a tribal culture, but also in an American storytelling culture. — Sherman Alexie Copy Share Image
The percentage of Indian kids doing some sort of artistic work is much higher than in the general population - painting, drawing,… — Sherman Alexie Copy Share Image
At the halfway point of any drunken night, there is a moment when an Indian realizes he cannot turn back toward tradition… — Sherman Alexie Copy Share Image
I don't have to participate in another culture's ceremonies in order to respect that culture. — Sherman Alexie Copy Share Image
A lot of native culture has been destroyed. So you already feel lost inside your culture. And then you add up feeling… — Sherman Alexie Copy Share Image
They've been screaming about the death of literacy for years, but I think TV is the Gutenberg [printing] press. I think TV… — Sherman Alexie Copy Share Image
You'd never know it from reading the rest of the Native writers, but Indians actually grew up with American pop culture. — Sherman Alexie Copy Share Image
“He says the earth is an oval marble that nobody can win. He says the sky is not blue and the grass is not… — Sherman Alexie Copy Share Image
“Now, in the old days, Indians used to be forgiving of any kind of eccentricity. In fact, weird people were often celebrated. Epileptics were often shamans because people just assumed that God gave seizure-visions to the lucky ones. Gay people were seen as magical, too. I mean, like in many cultures, men were viewed as warriors and women were viewed… — Sherman Alexie Copy Share
Since Jesus was human then he most assuredly farted and burped. And if God did create us in God's image then God must fart… — Sherman Alexie Copy Share Image
“A century ago she might have been beautiful, her face reflected in the river instead of a mirror. But all the years have changed… — Sherman Alexie Copy Share Image
I don't think there's a whole lot of class literature at all. I think most of that has become racially based, and people don't… — Sherman Alexie Copy Share Image
“Is there really a difference between that killing and this killing? Does God approve of some killing and not other killing? If I kill… — Sherman Alexie Copy Share Image
My parents banned nothing, though the Christian fundamentalists in my tribe held book-and-record burnings every now and again. So, yes, fundamentalist assholes can also… — Sherman Alexie Copy Share Image
“Or maybe I could have anesthetized myself with homework and extra credit and binge-reading.” — Sherman Alexie Copy Share Image
“Dear wife, I'm sorry that I am mysteriously incapable of folding clean laundry, but I iron, oh, I iron. Sweetheart, I'll make your white… — Sherman Alexie Copy Share Image