Final answer:
Sherman Alexie's specific essay is not named in the provided information, but Alice Walker, known for her novel 'The Color Purple', has written many essays addressing themes of race and gender rooted in her experiences growing up in the Jim Crow South.
Step-by-step explanation:
The essay written by Sherman Alexie is not directly specified in the information provided. However, Alice Walker wrote a number of essays in her career. While the exact essay mentioned is not listed here, Walker is an established novelist and essayist, well known for her work on African-Americans experiences in the United States, like her novel The Color Purple.
Walker's essays often address themes of race, gender, and societal structures, reflecting her background and experiences growing up in Georgia under Jim Crow laws. Education played a significant role in her life, thanks to her parents who emphasized its importance despite the societal challenges at the time. In her essays and novels, Walker explores deep social and cultural issues with sensitivity and insight.