Many of you have read this book--you chose it for your summer reading. First and foremost, thanks for not giving away the end. Secondly, thanks for talking about it so much on this message board. Due to your comments, and the coincidence that it was on my parents' bookshelf, I picked up the book this week and tore through it. And I was very satisfied last night when I finished.
I really enjoy reading about the time period that this book covers. The '60s and '70s fascinate me and I sometimes wish I could have had a part in the massive changes that took place. I think Grisham accurately portrays how integration was for many small towns. It was controversial and scary, but it wasn't met with the violence that the world witnessed in places like Little Rock and Birmingham. However, it saddens me to come in contact with such closed minds as the ones in this book and as the ones that actually existed and still exist in the world.
We have talked in class about the difference between ignorance and hate. We have discussed over and over how ignorance is oftentimes not knowing any better. So, my question to you is this--how do we cure ignorance? What do we do to make the change in the world?
In the words of one of the world's greatest change-makers..."Be the change that you want to see in the world." ~ Mohandas Ghandi
3 comments:
But can you educate an ignorant person? And how?
I don't think that ignorance is a choice that someone makes. Ignorance comes from a person's background, up-bringing, surroundings, etc. Once a person's ignorance is challenged, and they become educated--about races, for example--then it is no longer ignorance. Then it grows into something else.
What books have you read that have dealt with ignorance and changes in our society?
Thanks for pointing that out, Clay. You are exactly right. Its important that we realize that ignorance can be cured with education. To refer back to Ghandi, you should be the changes you want to see in the world. If you want to see an end to discrimination, then you should start by examining yourself and your actions. If you want to see an end to hate, you should examine your mind. Is it open or is it closed? Unfortunately, it is hard to be introspective and critical of oneself. But we have to do it to make a difference.
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