Final answer:
Sherman Alexie's essay "I Hated Tonto (Still Do)" is likely motivated by the prevalent stereotypes and simplifications of American Indians in popular culture, which are often inaccurate and marginalizing. Alexie's critique may stem from a desire to challenge such misrepresentations and promote a more authentic narrative.
Step-by-step explanation:
The preview of Sherman Alexie's essay "I Hated Tonto (Still Do)" suggests that it will address Alexie's frustrations with the stereotypical depiction of American Indians in popular culture. Such depictions often reinforce simplistic and inaccurate representations of Native Americans, which fail to reflect the true diversity and complexity of their cultures. Films and other forms of media have historically perpetuated these stereotypes, misrepresenting Native peoples in ways that Alexie likely critiques.
The representations of American Indians in popular culture could indeed support Sherman Alexie's motivation for writing the essay, as they tend to promote negative stereotypes and oversimplified images. Acknowledging these depictions could be a starting point for Alexie's argument against such marginalizing portrayals.