Ishmael Beah

While reading A Long Way Gone it was really hard for me to relate to. It was also hard for me to grasp that his story was real, and that it happens to so many in Africa. After watching the video in class that was showing other people affected by this civil war, it was a little easier for me. Seeing him on Tuesday really hit the topic home for me, though. It's amazing to me that someone can be so optimistic after going through something that tragic. Going into it, I kind of expected an upbeat person who was passionate about his cause, but he was even more than I imagined. He was captivating and humorous, and I didn't really expect that either. I enjoyed hearing him talk about how he wouldn't change his experience, because it gave him strength and he can now help others through his strength. He said that we all have that type of strength inside us. While reading the book, I always placed myself in his shoes and thought about how I would react to the situation. I really didn't feel like I could have done even 1/3 of the things that he did. Even though we feel like he didn't have a choice, he could have given up, and I think that I would have taken the more cowardly route. He was so full of hope, and just listening to him talk made me a little more hopeful, also.