Lit Circle Final Project (Breakdown and Script):
By Maggie, Aidan and Rheann
For our project, we decided to collaborate together and write a script for an imaginary interview between two reporters and Arnold Spirit. We as well decided to present it through a newspaper called The Spokane Post where it talks about the interview itself and includes the contents.
Themes that tie into the interview:
(“-“ = examples on how we included the themes in our interview questions and responses)
- Expectations (of self or others)- How Junior has always had low self-expectations and others have too for him. We cover how he is proving himself and others wrong and finding out how much he is capable of.
- Self-esteem – How Junior has improved with how he sees himself and how this game could have affected it as well.
- Inner conflict- Fighting himself about whether he should try out for the basketball and possibly him going to Reardan with knowing his tribe could turn on him.
- Harassment – Junior talks about the racism he faced and the treatment he got at Reardan and briefly touches on how he was always looked down upon at the reserve.
- Commitment -The reporter asks how he persevered through the pain and stiches. Junior talks about why he did and how he was committed to the game and showing what he could do.
- Racism- Briefly, Junior explains how he was separated from the rest at Reardan because of his skin and background and about some of the racism at Reardan.
- Privilege -While talking about what sets Junior apart from the rest at Reardan, he mentions how those at Reardan were handed more opportunities and how lives are very different.
Project Summary and Explanation:
The plot of our story is a spin-off of a basketball game that Rearden played against the Wellpinit Redskins. Jr faces injuries during the game which leads Reardan’s team to lose. Rearden was on a winning streak before having to vs the Redskins for the first time this season. Jr winds up in the hospital and sparks a lot of attention and the local newspaper interviews Jr from his hospital room while he in recovery. The interviewers ask Jr questions about the game, and his life outside of basketball on the reserve and many more interesting topics the press wants to know. The interview covers multiple themes from the book such as self-esteem, racism, harassment, expectations he has of himself and others, privilege and other smaller themes that fall under those umbrellas.
The interview Script:
R1: Hello, and Welcome back to Spokane’s Sports News Center and today with us we have Arnold Spirit, a freshman on Reardan’s boys’ basketball team and one their star players. We are currently in the hospital with him now after he faced injuries while playing against the Redskins. His team lost against the Redskins after having a very successful game before. We are talking about the game as well as his life outside of basketball.
R1: Hello Arnold, it’s great to have you with us especially under these circumstances. We hope you are feeling better than you were after you just faced these injuries and not in too much pain. Tell us, what was different about this game from all the previous games you won, what went wrong?
A: Thanks, man. I am feeling a bit better than before and the pain killers are helping too. In this game, I was faced up against my old team and that already made me anxious and nervous which affected the way I played. They are not happy with me at the moment, for transferring to Reardan and are definitely holding a grudge against me. This is most likely why I got a quarter thrown at my head from their audience, why I got defended more aggressively against and how I am here now.
R2: Are you angry with how the Redskins and their audience treated you? If you could tell them one thing what would it be?
A: I guess in some ways I am angry with what they did as it wound me up in the hospital. Although, I do understand why they are upset with me as I have left my home for a ‘white school’. I have never been treated well on the reserve and have often been harassed but, this was for a whole new reason. One thing I would say is I might play for Reardan but, the reserve is still my home. I don’t regret transferring to Reardan but, that doesn’t mean I think I am better than everyone else.
R1: What made you persevere through the pain from a quarter being thrown at your head and why did you want to receive the stitches right away?
A: I put high expectations on myself and I choose to not be a quitter. I wanted to show what I am made of and I didn’t want to coward out, even if that meant I would have a scar from stiches. Possibly the chance of my team losing without me or not wanting Wellpinit to see me face a loss was what kept me going. I was in the heat of the moment with the only thing on my mind was getting back in the game.
R2: Do you think this game could affect how you play in the future, physically and Mentally?
A: Ever since I was a baby, I have been a fighter as I was born with a brain condition and survived the surgery. Mentally, I hope this doesn’t throw me off and I think I just need to get back into my game-mindset. This was a bit of a setback from the reserve but, now that my mindset has changed and I know what I can accomplish, I should be able to continue to play my best in the future.
R1: Moving on, what made you decide to transfer to Reardan even though you knew you would face a backlash?
A: Without getting too personal, I felt like I have more of a future at Reardan than I do at the reserve. This got most of my tribe upset at me, and I guess you could say I had it coming. I am trying to reach for success and transferring schools was one of the steps that I needed to take to achieve my goals.
R2: Was there someone who helped you or inspired you to take that step?
A: As a matter of fact, there was, my previous teacher from Wellpinit, showed up at my house after I threw a textbook at him. I was expecting to get scolded, but he greatly influenced me to go for it. It was unexpected, to hear something especially coming from my teacher on the reserve but, hearing him want me to succeed affected where I am today, and I am super grateful for that.
R1: Did you feel welcomed coming to Reardan, and are there any significant differences you noticed between Wellpinit and Reardan?
A: To be honest, at first, I felt like an outcast who didn’t belong. Many didn’t help that feeling either with racial jokes or comments too. There are plenty of differences and misconceptions between Wellpinit and Reardan, mainly the etiquette, ways of being and of course who attend the schools. Though, there were more similarities than I thought. One of the things I realized was that everyone faces tough issues in their life, no matter who you are or where you come from.
R2: Who made you feel the most welcomed at Reardan?
A: I would say one of my friends, Penelope, who I met on the very first day. After getting to know each other a bit more, we formed a close bond. Once I started sparking my own conversations it got easier to connect with others and then, I felt like I belonged. That is a lesson that I learned, how most people aren’t out to get you and are not as bad as they seem. You just need to be able to have enough courage to talk to others more and that can spark so many new friendships.
R1: Do you ever think about going back to Wellpinit? If you wanted, you could simply move back to your old school and not have to travel such a distance or put yourself in such a different environment.
A: As much as I miss going to Wellpinit, the thought hasn’t even come across my mind once. I know it was a good decision and I don’t like to quit. I have already started now so what’s the point in stopping? The travel to and from school can be long and tiring some days but, I have a feeling it will be worth it in the end. That is why I haven’t given up yet.
R2: What do you think sets you apart the most from the rest of the students at Reardan?
A: My physical appearance and heritage separate me the most. Because of it, I am less privileged than the others at Reardan. They have been handed more opportunities and our lives are very different. I live in a poor reserve while some don’t have to worry if they will eat dinner. Most do not need to worry about the way they will get treated for their appearance while I have to. So, there are many things that set us apart but, I am proving that I am no lesser than the rest and what I am capable of.
R1: How did you adjust to these changes at Reardan? Are you still trying to adjust?
A: Well, I think the thing that is helping me adjust is basketball. I played on Wellpinit and now Reardan and basketball is something that can stay the same for me. The gameplay, the court, my skill and more. Another thing is I have to put myself out there and step out of my comfort zone to make new connections.
R2: Did anyone at your new school give you a hard time in the beginning? Did you encounter any rude or hateful comments that upset you and affected your experience here?
A: Yeah, I did encounter some but, I tried to not let it get to me, I am better than that. I didn’t know how to react at first and threw a punch but, I think what I did was pretty cool even though I regret it. Standing up for myself was nice and I felt empowered a bit too. I have always been looked down on but, at my new school, I was getting judged for a whole new reason which is my background and culture.
R1: Moving on to basketball, did you put pressure on yourself? Do you think if you weren’t as courageous, it would affect you trying out for basketball or even coming to Reardan?
A: Yeah, I put a lot of pressure on myself because I wanted to prove that I wasn’t just some kid from the reserve who only wanted to cause trouble and act out. I am a pretty decent dude who likes ball and has a bit of hope for once. If I hadn’t, then there is a chance I wouldn’t have tried out for basketball, but I am glad I did.
R2: How did you feel about trying out for Reardan’s basketball team, especially in a brand-new school and environment? What were your expectations, and did you think you would make it?
A: I was pretty hesitant at first because I didn’t know if I would even make any of the levels. I was also nervous since I did not know how well the other people trying out would play but, I decided to give it a shot as you can see. I don’t really expect a lot from myself because it’s hard for me to believe in myself but once I did, I realized I was capable of so much more.
R1: Moving on to your injuries, do you think you will recover well enough for the next game?
A: I think I will be fine although, there was worry the hit would affect my brain because of a condition I was born with. So far, it is a bit early to tell but, I am feeling better and excited to play more games.
R2: Thank you so much for your time tonight and for your responses. We will let you rest for now and good luck for the future! We look forward to seeing you recover quickly and more of your playing. This is Spokane’s Sports News Center reporting live and we will catch you next time!
Sources for pictures used in the newspaper:
https://www.spokanevalleyfire.com/about-us/ambulance-service-board/
https://www.blendspace.com/lessons/AaqwdZJkcyYEPA/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-brayden-stine (for both pictures of Reardan)