Wednesday, March 25, 2009
My Breathing Space
Neumark has truly captured my undivided attention every time I read a passage from the book. I find myself becoming more and more indulged in the reading. Something that grabs my attention every single time is the personal accounts. The true stories about the struggles that each individual that crosses her path goes through makes this book more personable. Honestly, her teachings and the way she cares for others reminds me of my deceased pastor. He was thee sweetest individual and never looked down on another. Both of them have something truly inspirational in common. With every person that they come in contact with, they learn something new. Both of them may have learned a life lesson or a eye opener about the atmosphere that surrounds them. However, each time they learn something new! I long to be that way! God places individuals in your life for a bigger purpose. I never truly understood that until I began to read this book. Also, you learn something great through others struggles!! WOW! that's a really powerful concept because I never really paid attention to it! Neumark doesn't seem like a common person to me! She reveals herself as a unique individual. I find it intriguing how she reveals the real life struggles that we face everyday. Through her writings, I realize that injustice surrounds our every move. It surrounds every aspect of our lives. We may find injustice within ourselves or within others. Its hard to accept that injustice has become apart of everyday life, but Neumark makes that evident. Her stories remind me of this after school program where my mother works. When I go to visit, all I encounter is injustice. The children are mostly African American and all display a form of injustice that has either been taught or observed by them. Its hard to shallow a real dose of reality! The fact is that the cycle of injustice is starting with the young! Neumark's stories of the struggles that the young children in the South Bronx battle with are real! I don't know...I feel as if her book is becoming one of my favorites and a true eye opener. I really look forward to finishing this book and learning something new about myself and my surroundings.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I completely agree with everything you said about Neumark. I think it is very interesting that you can relate directly with her about the story of your preacher. In my hometown, we have had a lot of Hispanic immigration similiar to the people moving into the Bronx. Even though I don't know much about what's going on, it makes me think about what injustice might be taking place and what's being hidden. Her stories about the people she meets and her raw passion for working with them is very eye opening and insperational to me, too!
ReplyDeleteI really agree with everything you said! I also feel the same way about the book every time I read it. There are always different stories, and every single one of these stories I am able to get pulled into. Like you, I strive to be like Heidi through these ways. I really want people, like these people, to be placed into my life and listen to their stories as well as experience them alongside of these people. I just think that because of this book my eyes are opening.
ReplyDeleteI really like all that you said! It really is sad to think that the young people are carrying on this cycle of injustice taught by their parents and others. It is also really eye opening to realize how much you can learn from someone else's struggles and also by helping people in general. You can't put a price.
ReplyDelete