Hi Mel,
This is a really thoughtful and insightful reading of the material and the video! I was also really struck by Kyah's description of how she tamps down her emotions to help take care of her mother. There's a lot of parallel in the taking on of extra responsibility that Shawn displays with his siblings in his "man of the house" role you also discussed. While these behaviors are completely understandable and seem to be partially about survival, I wonder about the longterm effects these responsibilities will have on these kids.
Also, I love your point about being frustrated about capitalism and its failure to support the most vulnerable people in our society. It truly is heartbreaking when the truth is that people don't have to be suffering in these ways, if only our larger society and our government was willing to make some necessary changes.
The point you made about holding multiple truths was great. I agree, it's difficult to separate out the trauma and the failures of the system from the heinous and tragic acts of Jacob and Damien. Holding both of these things at once--the trauma and the pain-caused--is difficult. It is definitely something I want to be able to hold as a social worker.
I really appreciated reading your thoughts!
Best,
Melissa
This is a really thoughtful and insightful reading of the material and the video! I was also really struck by Kyah's description of how she tamps down her emotions to help take care of her mother. There's a lot of parallel in the taking on of extra responsibility that Shawn displays with his siblings in his "man of the house" role you also discussed. While these behaviors are completely understandable and seem to be partially about survival, I wonder about the longterm effects these responsibilities will have on these kids.
Also, I love your point about being frustrated about capitalism and its failure to support the most vulnerable people in our society. It truly is heartbreaking when the truth is that people don't have to be suffering in these ways, if only our larger society and our government was willing to make some necessary changes.
The point you made about holding multiple truths was great. I agree, it's difficult to separate out the trauma and the failures of the system from the heinous and tragic acts of Jacob and Damien. Holding both of these things at once--the trauma and the pain-caused--is difficult. It is definitely something I want to be able to hold as a social worker.
I really appreciated reading your thoughts!
Best,
Melissa