Blog #5

The children in Beah's situation were subjected to many terrible things- forced to murder, drugged, taught only violence. They were put in many traumatizing situations, including being robbed of their family. It is an obvious statement to day that family is important. I believe that everyone must find a family, even if it isn't their biological kin. Sometimes the replacement family is a negative influence on us, but we need them all the same. A family is about safety and protection. In the beginning of this book, we are introduced to the idea of family as a biological bloodline, with legal right to custody. This is demonstrated by the custody agreement with Ishmael's divorced parents. Their relationship shows us that family is biological- not whomever you are living with at the time. If you are related to someone, they are always your family. However, when the book comes to a close we realize that the idea of family has changed drastically. Those who give you a purpose and a place of safety are your fathers. Your mothers are the people that give you sustenance and daily comforts. Your brothers are your comrades who fight with you and for you. There is no idea of a traditional family- your family is made out of convenience, and being in the right place at the right time. This idea of family meaning protection can be put into relatable terms when talking about street gangs. Young teenagers don't join gangs because they think it's cool to cause violence- they join for protection. They make a dysfunctional family out of the other members, and they try to establish their place in the world.

Freedom is extremely hard to find. When Beah included the national anthem's lines about freedom in his story, I saw it as being ironic, as the national anthem promises freedom to its people, and yet the people are starting a war to gain freedom. It also shows that Ishmael and the other children believe that they are acting of their own free will- they don't see themselves as being kidnapped, they see themselves as being recruited! Obviously Sierra Leone considers it's self a free country, but what does it mean to live in a free country? There is a lot of gray area when it comes to this issue. In fact, I believe the whole idea of freedom is left open for interpretation. Many people would say that the children should have the freedom to not be kidnapped and forced in the LRA. But then again, if it is a free country, then why doesn't the LRA have the freedom to kidnap children? This is why no country with any sort of law system can have complete and total freedom- laws are the opposite of freedom. I believe the U.S.A has found a good balance between freedom and order, and it is a balance that other countries should strive for.