HAVERHILL — What happens when you mix a bunch of high-school students with a group of older folks who love to read and a few collegians?
You get a lively approach to learning, which is what took place at Northern Essex Community College.
Two Advanced Placement literature classes from Haverhill High School, led by teacher Jules Kahn, visited Northern Essex, where they were met by several senior citizens in the Life Long Learning program's book group and students in the college's honors English Composition I course, who organized the event and led discussions.
The three sets of learners read and talked about "Ten Little Indians," a collection of nine short stories by Sherman Alexie that each feature at least one American Indian.
They also read and commented on a short satirical piece, also by Alexie, called, "How to Write the Great American Indian Novel." Alexie, himself an American Indian, mocks the various stereotypes of his people.
For example, he starts by saying, "All of the Indians must have tragic features: tragic noses, eyes and arms. Their hands and fingers must be tragic when they reach for tragic food."
One of the Life Long Learners, Agnes Rousseau of Amesbury, observed, "He knows where he's coming from. We don't have a clue."
Some of the high-schoolers detected "an air of cynicism" on the part of Alexie.
Mackenzie Devoe, a Haverhill High junior in Kahn's class, said even though white people have denigrated America's first settlers, "they (American Indians) should love their culture."
Peter Spellman, coleader of the seniors' book group, said of the students of all ages, "They're so turned on. It's exciting."
Rousseau said it was "refreshing to hear from younger people."
A short film, which included a scene where the character, an American Indian, sat in the display window of a bookstore and told his story, brought about varied reactions.
When professor Ginger Hurajt likened him to a cigar store Indian, the older students immediately grasped what she was talking about while the kids didn't seem to be familiar with the statues that used to be present at tobacco stores. Like the statues of black coachmen that used to be displayed at the homes of many white people, the cigar store Indian figure is now regarded as demeaning.
One of the high-schoolers, however, suggested that the window of the bookstore symbolized the barrier between American Indians and white people. Although the majority group can see the American Indians, they don't really understand them.
After the film was shown, Mary Joan O'Connor of Merrimac, another Life Long Learner, told The Eagle-Tribune that while white people have often called American Indians "primitive," the latter were actually advanced in many ways.
"They had effective home remedies and could heal their horses," she said.
Northern Essex hopes to make this intergenerational literature class an annual event. The sentiment appears to be the same at Haverhill High.
"Everybody had a good time," Kahn said. "Only good can come of this."
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