SOC 100 - Discussion Posts Day Five

Okay, here is the final discussion post. This series of posts are related to the "Children of the Plains" video presented by 20/20. This was a very good video, I thought, on the Lakota in the Pine Ridge reservation of South Dakota. See the other posts to get the full list of discussion questions. Here is the final question: Day five:  Draw your own conclusions from the video about the little girl and the middle school boy, will they succeed? and here is my post:

The boy, Robert Looks Twice, has strong character. He’s honest, hardworking and is on a good path in life. He’s determined to overcome the odds. He’s quarterback on the football team, student council president of his class and he dreams of better things. These are all admirable for any 12 year old in any ethnic group.  He’s in a difficult situation on the reservation, but is very intelligent and wise for his age. Just the fact that he knows his struggles are making him stronger is a good indication to me that he’ll succeed. I think he’ll do his best to stay away from drugs and alcohol and I think he’ll try his best to go far in his education and even graduate college. He has some opportunities out there and with just a little help from others he has a chance to succeed. I think his elders will give him the support he needs and he’ll continue to do well. I’m very hopeful for him; he’s a modern day warrior.
The little girl, Louise, has had a tough time. She’s already tried marijuana, to commit suicide and she still has thoughts of it according to the picture she drew. I’m very sad for her and she needs a good support system to overcome this. Her psychologist is a long way away and she probably doesn’t have many sessions with him. She is fragile and she doesn’t eat well at home. Her home environment is sad, because her mother drinks and her home is cold. On the bright side she is good in math and has a bright personality. She seems to keep her head up and the teachers, school counselor and principle of her school watch over her. Even though things are tough now I think with a good support system and people watching over she can survive and succeed. I sincerely hope she does. Heather Thompson, from a neighboring tribe graduated from Harvard law. With a role model like that Louise can succeed. Those role models can teach Louise resilience.