In both of Sherman Alexie’s poems “The Trial of Thomas Builds-The-Fire ” and “This is What It Means To Say Phoenix, Arizona ” we see great examples of the unequal and unruly qualities of government. When Thomas was on trial he faced unfair disrespect on account of him being Native American. Even before his trial had begun it was made clear of how they viewed him. “Inciting a riot? Kidnapping? Extortion? Maybe murder?” another guy in a BIA suit asked, and the others laughed. “Well,” they all agreed. “It has to be a felony charge. We don’t need his kind around here anymore” (Alexie 94). Thomas even had made it clear that he wasn’t sure of what it was exactly that he was being charged for. “Your Honor,” he said. “I don’t believe that the exact nature of any charges against me have been revealed, let alone detailed”(Alexie 95). When Victor from “This is What It Means To Say Phoenix, Arizona ”, went to the BIA to request money to aid his fathers death, we saw another example of the lack of fairness or sympathy. “Now, Victor, we’re sorry for your loss and the circumstances. But we can really only afford to give you one hundred dollars.” Both situations showed the unfair circumstances and treatment that both men endured, even after they both clearly suffered.
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