I had the feeling I was going to be successful, and I didn't want to be another disappointing Indian.
Interpretation
The quote expresses a desire for personal success and the pressure of living up to expectations.
In this quote, Sherman Alexie reflects on his determination to achieve success while grappling with societal stereotypes and the fear of failing to meet the expectations placed upon him as an Indian. His feelings of ambition are intertwined with a deep awareness of the historical disappointments associated with his cultural background, driving him to carve out a path of success to break those negative perceptions.
In practice
During a motivational speech to inspire young entrepreneurs.
Gordie, the white boy genius, gave me this book by a Russian dude named Tolstoy, who wrote, 'Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.' Well, I hate to argue with a Russian genius, but Tolstoy didn't know Indians, and he didn't know that all Indian families are unhappy for the same exact reasons: the frikkin' booze.
My wife was the first romantic partner who understood both American and native parts of me - not so much the positive stuff, but the damage.
I draw because words are too unpredictable. I draw because words are too limited. If you speak and write in English, or Spanish, or Chinese, or any other language, then only a certain percentage of human beings will get your meaning. But when you draw a picture everybody can understand it. If I draw a cartoon of a flower, then every man, woman, and child in the world can look at it and say, "That's a flower.
We all have to find our own ways to say good-bye.
I write books for teenagers because I vividly remember what it felt like to be a teen facing everyday and epic dangers. I don't write to protect them. It's far too late for that. I write to give them weapons-in the form of words and ideas-that will help them fight their monsters. I write in blood because I remember what it felt like to bleed.
A lot of people have no idea that right now Y.A. (young adult). is the Garden of Eden of literature.
We wanted Nike to be the world's best sports and fitness company. Once you say that, you have a focus. You don't end up making wing tips or sponsoring the next Rolling Stones world tour.
If we dispense with some of our self-made boundaries, India can really take its place in the world as an economic power. It hasn't happened because we, sadly, don't look at ourselves as Indians but as Punjabis or Parsis, unlike the Americans. Don't make such boundaries.
The ability to bounce back after a setback is the single most important trait an entrepreneurial venture can possess.
The investor of today does not profit from yesterday's growth.
The buried talent is the sunken rock on which most lives strike and founder.
You don't become a success when you get your diploma, you became a success when you decided to go to college when you get your diploma you get the rewards of success.
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