In the "Border State Patrol" short story, I agreed with a lot of things that Ms. Silko had to say about having to deal with border control, mainly because I have heard of some really awful things happening there, and what she said did not seem to surprise me one bit. It's amazing how just looking a certain way seems suspicious to someone else solely because of their personal biases, which I think is totally unfair and inhumane. When she discusses her encounter with border control and the dog, I had a great depiction of this in my mind and I could feel how bad Silko felt as well as the dog, and I find her information very valuable to people who are traveling across the border. I will say though, she made the statement about borders never working, which I am only in partial agreement to. The quote "borders haven't worked, and they won't work, not now, as the indigenous people of the Americas reassert their kinship and solidarity with one another." is something that I understand, because I agree that things will continue to be a problem if the boarders are run the way they are now. But when she mentions how "The great human migration within the Americas cannot be stopped; human beings are natural forces of the earth, just as rivers and winds are natural forces", I have to disagree. I completely understand what Silko is trying to say, but in today's world populations are settled for the most part, and yes people move, but not like rivers and mountains, they move more methodically and permanently. Without borders, how would the president lead our country? how could a governor or any other authoritative position handle their job if they are not given a specific area to control? I think that we need borders, but we need to improve who is controlling them and how they are going about it. 

Journal Entry #14

If I were a soldier in Jimmy Cross's unit, I would carry a few things. First off I would carry a picture of my family and my 2 dogs because I know that I would constantly be thinking of them, and imagining what they were doing at home, right at that moment. I also would have a small item from my best friends, like a bracelet or something that would remind me of them, because I know they'd constantly be on my mind as well. I'd bring a piece of sentimental jewelry with me, like my ring that my mother gave me, because I know that I would be missing it if I didn't get to have it. I think I would also cut a small square out of my favorite blanket, because I would want to bring something that reminds me of the comforts of home, and my bed. I know I would like to have something with me like that while I lay in a hole in the ground with nothing else. Also, I would keep all of the letters I received and stash them in a plastic bag to keep them looking nice, just like Jimmy Cross and his letters form Martha, and I know that just like him, I would also read and reread them every day. Knowing me, I would probably bring as many small items as I could, in order to make myself as comfortable as possible without weighing myself down. I don't personally own anything that I believe to be good luck, but if I did I would bring that as well. I may also bring a poem book filled with happy and upbeat poems, or something like that to entertain me and bring up my mood. 

Zitkala-Sa's story is one about achieving the American Dream. Yes, she succeeded and was able to go to college and become a successful writer, but in this story we see past the success of the American Dream and instead we see the state of quandary that Zitkala-Sa is left in, as well as the issues she faces regardless. Even with the success of the American Dream, she is still alone in the world of the white man. Her mother resents her for pursing education because it is not in her culture. "Often I wept in secret, wishing I had gone West, to be nourished by my mother's love, instead of remaining among a cold race whose hearts were frozen hard with prejudice". Zitkala remains unhappy after all of her success because though she triumphed and showed America how people in her culture can prevail, she also showed us the bitterness of becoming a member of society which does not belong to either race. She becomes caught between two worlds; and though she is successful, this success is not enough to bring her happiness. The American Dream promises oppurtunity and success, but never promises a life filled with happiness and clarity, and this story allows us to realize that. Zitkala was happy to win an award at the end of the story, but if she could have taken it all back to be happy with her culture and have a true identity there, I think she would.