"Moss's story will never be over. Those of us who have been the victims of state sanctioned violence know this reality on some intrinsic level. We are frequently reminded of what happened to us, and we live with the fear that in a split second it could occur all over again...I knew that this young man could never truly have closure, that he could never be part of a story that concluded with perfectly wrapped bows atop a pristine present. It did not seem honest."
Those words, taken from the author's note at the back of Mark Oshiro's Anger Is A Gift, tell us a lot about the story. Oshiro is not topping a perfectly wrapped present with happily ever after bows. The narrative he created is brutally honest, engaging and much needed.
Moss was quite young when his father was shot by a cop. Now in high school, he's still recognized for that tragic loss. He misses his dad, desperately stores memories of their too short time together to help him when life gets too hard and anxiety strikes.
As the story starts Moss is experiencing something wonderful. He has his first possibility of more than friendship with a boy who is everything he could have wished for. Not deterred by Moss's panic attacks, Javier is equally in love.
Moss attends a criminally underresourced high school. They can't afford even enough textbooks, but they can acquire two heavy duty metal detectors which all students must walk through. One of Moss's close friends is seriously injured when one malfunctions.
The students and their allies plan a walk out...
...Only their plans get leaked to school administrators. And the unarmed students trying to walk out peacefully are met by a legion of fully armed cops...
...with tragic results.
...I would not recommend Anger Is A Gift to younger teens or more sensitive or anxious readers. I would heartily recommend it to older teens, college students, and grown ass adults especially those who persist in thinking that things can't be that bad. Although it's an older book do whatever you must to get your hands on it.
In this day and age anger is a gift.
On a purrrsonal note today at UMaine Title IX is tabling for the clothes line project. They have these teal and white tee shirts. Rape survivors can write their stories. Other people can write messages of encouragement. They'll all be displayed in the atrium of the union.
I was raped by a friend of my mother who held a knife to my throat. He had stalked me for weeks. It was very premeditated. He was a married man with daughters. Fortunately I didn't think it was in any way my fault. He had committed a crime.
A great big shout out goes out to them for keeping this important conversation going. We're still too often blaming girls and women for what we wear, where we went...when we survive this violence, especially when the boys and men are white rich athletes. For those who want to change things anger is a gift.
Jules Hathaway
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