Comparing David Treuer And Letter From Birmingham Jail

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David Treuer's succinct biography delves into the bittersweet tales of his parents and their encounters with America, portraying both the kindness and unkindness they experienced. Similarly, Martin Luther King Jr.'s letter from Birmingham Jail, written following his arrest during a nonviolent demonstration, provides a unique perspective on the American experience. In their respective works, Treuer and King offer different yet parallel insights into the intricate relationship between individuals and America, shedding light on the ways it can both uplift and challenge us. Despite the disparities, both authors cautiously acknowledge the positive facets of America's impact on their lives, contributing to a nuanced exploration of American ideals. …show more content…

In her story, we witness resilience and triumph against the backdrop of overt hostility. In the short memoir of his mother’s life, it says “But then there was my mother, a Native woman who grew up as an outsider in her country and for whom America was a constant threat — a country seemingly determined to grind her down” (Treuer, 3). Treuer’s portrayal unfolds the account of how, despite facing blatant hatred, his mother navigated the adversities of the American landscape. A specific example of this adversity is when her principal openly questions why she’s even trying to go to school, saying to her “Why bother?” (Truer, 6) as if she needed a reason to seek her education so she could get a job and survive in this harsh landscape. The bigger, more obviously corrupt example is when a police officer steals the rice they harvested, money they would have needed and used to just buy the bare necessities when she was twelve. And takes it for himself in the narrative it says “Waiting for them at the landing was the sheriff”. He told them they had been rinsing illegally, and he confiscated the …show more content…

During his childhood, his family was among few relatives who survived the Nazi invasions. Subsequently, he immigrated to America and enlisted as a soldier at the age of 18, embracing his newfound home. It was during this period that a significant event unfolded, encapsulating his father's perception of America. While stationed in Okinawa, he witnessed the Japanese people, who were considered his adversaries at the time, scavenging and consuming discarded scraps. His father described them as poor and thin. The base commander attempted to stop this by using bleach, but his father urged his comrades to defy the order, an act that could result in discharge. When his son questioned him about his actions, considering the atrocities committed by the Japanese, his father emotionally responded by pounding the table stating, " These were people, David. Starving people. That was enough for me. That was all I needed to know." Having endured his own experiences, he possessed an unwavering empathy for all individuals, which guided him to perform this morally just act based on the fact that they were starving. This fundamental belief was shaped by his own treatment of America. Later, when Treuer asked why his father remained loyal to America despite its faults, his father replied, " “I was hunted down in Austria, barely tolerated in England and Ireland. But America saved my life. It

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