"We lived and died together." How does this reflect a cultural insider's perspective, disrupting streotypes about stoic Indians?in The Absolutely...

The idea of suffering together is an element that emerges
from the quote.  The cultural insider point of view that is present is one that reflects
the nature of suffering amongst the Indians was something that could only be understood
by those who endured it.  The notion of the stoic Native America being one who is
separated from the harsh conditions placed upon them is a stereotype that might have
actually empowered the aggressor in continuing to inflict policies that were harmful to
the nature of the Native America.  In such a quote, the reader fully understands this
part of Junior's identity.  Death and suffering are a part of his own consciousness,
something that White society fails to understand.  When Junior goes to a white school,
the experiences of his being an Indian are negated.  Yet, when Junior experiences the
intellectual curiosity that transcends the reservation, the statement's truth might also
be reflexive.  What this means is that part of living and dying together is the hope
that there could be something else. While such a condition binds Native Americans,
Junior's desire to see something else outside of where he is, something outside of death
and suffering, might also be motivating his desire to leave.  In this quote, we see a
statement on the culture, but also in how this could impact Junior and his own
developing sense of consciousness.