30 minutes before the event started, Blackwell Hall already boasted a sizable crowd of Longwood students and faculty. With the front rows of chairs mostly occupied already and the balconies filled, the room breathed an atmosphere of anticipation. Some students were drawn in by extra credit opportunities, and others were drawn in by the promise of an entertaining and inspiring talk.
Many representatives of Longwood’s English department were present, as well as several English students. All of them there to witness the bestowment of the Dos Passos Literature prize.John Dos Passos was a subversive writer in 1920s post World War I America. He wrote novels that were staunchly anti-war and later continued to write in the vein of the social revolutionary that he was throughout his life. In honor of this great American writer, who is too often overlooked, each year since 1980, Longwood University has recognized other outstanding writers who exemplify Dos Passos’ unique perspective and exploration of the American experience. This year’s recipient was Sherman Alexie.
Alexie has authored several collections of poems as well as short stories, novels and films. Having grown up on the Spokane Indian Reservation, his experiences within Native American culture color each story he writes.
Notably, “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian,” which has been a popular addition to the Children’s Literature curriculum at Longwood, won the National Book Award for Young People, and offers a genuine, heart- breaking, yet hilarious account of life on the Spokane Indian Reservation.
Dr. David Magill, associate professor of English, introduced Alexie as an “intellectual energy” who “challenges distinctions” generally defined in voice and form. Alexie then approached the stage with a giddy enthusiasm and began to speak excitedly about his experience in coming to Longwood.
Alexie, who called himself a “northerner” as a current resident of Seattle, was perplexed by what he referred to as the “scary” politeness he encountered in the South upon arriving in Farmville. His explanation of this uneasinesswasthefirstofmany rants. He admitted during one such digression, “tangents are a highly valued tradition in my tribe.”
One of his more esteemed accomplishments has been his work in the film industry. Alexie’s 1988 film “Smoke Signals”was based off his novel entitled, “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist fightin Heaven." Since 2002, he has also worked on four other movies including directing, as well as writing, his 2002 film, “The Business of Fancy dancing.”
Alexie was hilarious with his quirky, wry and often times bizarre sense of humor that colored his entire speech, and inevitably the works that he presented. He did not shy away from controversial topics, even considering his “southern” audience, as he called them. He spoke of his disbelief of soulmates and went as far to call out a bible literalist.
Alexie read from his newest work “99 Tiny Love Stories,” a collection of short love stories. There was not a sound in the hall, but laughter as he read aloud his interpretation of the human experience.
Throughout the night, Alexie emphasized, in his awkward yet charming self-deprecating manner, just how much of a, as he put it, “sad a-- flawed human being” he is, and how beautiful that is.
After a night of hilarious banter and inspiring prose, the audience was left with a renewed sense of the sheer beauty of humanity, and Alexie left with a medallion in recognition of his achievements as an author.
Spokane Native American author Sherman Alexie entertained the crowd of Longwood students, faculty and staff with his unique humor and readings from his upcoming short story collection "99 Tiny Love Stories.
