Gary Smith's "Birth of a Nation" Response

Gray Smith's Birth of a Nation is a excellent piece that tells a tale of a boy who is trying to break loose form the repetitive cycle of monotony while trying to avoid being the victim. It is not only a profile of Takes Enemy and his journey but also a profile of the Indian community as well .The one thing I find delightful about this piece was the rich context Smith provides to readers. Realizing that the conflict spurs not only from the individual but also from the community, he is able to zoom in and out in a sociological perspective by focusing not only on Takes Enemy's but the people in his community as well. He focuses on their festivals and traditions, which adds insight to Takes Enemy's double-consciousness--pursuing success and preserving heritage. Smith's elaboration on past and future during the initial bus scene creates a mixed-up tone as he places questions such as Weeping. Did you hear it? or But Takes Enemy -- he would be the one who escaped. wouldn't he? These line make reader's question as to whether Takes Enemy would end up in the alcoholic short-lived spiral that looms over his teammates. It also serves as a good foreshadowing of the events that follow.