Reading Response: Things Get Hectic #2

In the book, "Things Get Hectic," we as the reader follow different stories about abuse. I think that one main thing that we see in almost all of the stories told from victims or witnesses, is that there is guilt.

The first time I sensed that someone was feeling guilty, was when a witness said they felt as if they should have done more to help her friend. This means that she feels like she didn't do enough to stop a murder. I think that even though it wasn't a witnesses fault they're going to feel bad just because he/she was there. When something bad happens, we as humans, just naturally feel bad about it. So I think that if you were an actual person to see someone get hurt or die, and you being the only human able to do something makes you feel like you should've even if it could've put you in danger. One thing that this makes me wonder about is that, if someone would put their life in danger for that friend that is in danger, and get killed, how would the friend that was involved cope with the fact that their friend died for them? Wouldn't that just send them into a guilty stage themselves? I'm not so sure how I would go about saving a friend.

Another thing that I think happens in this book is that, people feel guilty not for being a witness or anything but feeling bad about being the victim. This is especially common in sexual abuse stories. I think that the reason the victims feel guilty is because they feel like this happened to them because they did something wrong, even if they were a saint. They feel like any random good person wouldn't have had anything like this happen to them, but what they don't understand is that it's okay and its not their fault. Someone took advantage of them and it's not their fault.

All in all, I think that in this book and as we follow these stories, there is an overarching feel of guilt. To be reading these stories and to feel guilty that these people had to go through things like this, and that had to suffer, just makes us feel bad. We should just all be grateful, and hope that nobody ever has to be one to have to experience this guilt.   

Reading Response: Things Get Hectic

   In the book I'm reading Things Get Hectic by Phillip Kay, the book doesn't focus on just one kid, or teenager. The book follows different kids and tells their stories of abuse and rough life experiences that they have had. Through all of the things we see in this book, I think that the biggest thing the author wants us to realize, is that we should remember that we have it good. We have good lives and we shouldn't forget that many others have it worse than us.

   One way I think that we are lead to feel like we should open our eyes and see we have good lives, is based on the structure of the book. The whole book is composed of how people had to live through these traumatic abuse experiences throughout their lives. Although the experiences usually get solved, they still end up needing something from the victim. For example, in one kid's story his father was his abuser. In order for his situation to end and for him to feel safe he had to wait until his dad died. This makes me feel like the situation must've been so much worse than what the author could have shown because, how bad does a situation have to be if in order for you to be safe, the person who was supposed to make you who you are, dies? As a result of reading this story, you feel sympathetic and grateful for the lives we have.

   Another way that this book makes me realize how good of a life I really have, is when you compare it to people in way extreme situations and it matches up. For example, when I was reading this book, I couldn't help but be reminded about the article "Armed and Underaged." I think that these two texts relate because although their situations are different, they are both child victims, kids my age, that are undergoing these traumatic experiences. The experiences range from being sold into child warfare by your parents (Armed and Underaged), to abuse by your own parents (Things Get Hectic). These young people are my age and here I am, on my computer writing about how I feel bad for them, on the internet. I have all of these things and opportunities and reading Things Get Hectic, really did help me realize it.

   In conclusion, I have realized that my life isn't bad at all compared to the lives of some kids my age, and some people in general. So if you are in a position like me, ask yourself, how bad do we really have it?

Reading Response: Am I Blue?

In reading, "Am I Blue?" by Bruce Coville, we can see Bruce Coville speaking his mind through his character, Melvin. We see Bruce Coville make a statement about homosexuality. All of this is said by 'Melvin' as he helps Vince, the main character, get through the bad parts of being/trying to figure out if you are gay.

One time we see Bruce Coville stick up for homosexuals is when 'Melvin' tells Vince he's been through it. "Listen honey, I have nothing but sympathy for you. I had to deal with my share of troglodytes when I was your age, and i know its no fun." I think this is really not just the character Melvin telling Vince that he's been there but really Bruce Coville letting everyone who has this problem that he's been here before, and that they aren't alone. He's letting them know that they aren't alone when it comes to being called things and beaten up, whether you are gay or not. Bruce Coville is also saying that it's okay to be different and that the people who are bullying kids about liking the same gender, should cut it out because it is NOT okay.

Another time we see Bruce Coville stick up for gays through Melvin is when he says, "I met him at a party on the other side once. Nice guy." I think what he is saying here in disguise is that gay people go to heaven too, which means it's not a sin. I think Bruce Coville is saying that there is absolutely nothing wrong with being attracted to the same gender. Many would disagree and many would agree, but here I think it is clear that Bruce Coville is giving himself a voice to say this, through Melvin.  I think this shows yet another time. 

In conclusion, after reading "Am I Blue?" we can see several instances where Bruce Coville comes out through his character and sticks up for what he thinks is right, in this case a non-prejudice towards gays.