Lady Liberty Weeps

Joel Waddy

Description

Lady Liberty Weeps: A dream disenchanted addresses one of many avoided subject matters. This land of enchantment as seen from the eyes of the immigrant, as perfect as we envision, rears its ugliness in many ways. As welcoming as some may have experienced, others yearn to be embraced and considered American just as any other. This fictional novel confronts the learned behaviors of racial bias as evident in how some children treat their colleagues. Galen, the main character of this book fell victim to bullying as will be witnessed through discriminatory insults and acts of violence disseminated from these learned biases.
Having parents, one may describe as egalitarian, Galen was taught that the rights he was afforded which included the right to be an American, was as deserved as any other person. Denial of such a right either because of racial or ethnic biases, objectively places one in the position of less advantaged, and subjectively to psychological complexes of inferiority.
Galen has lived through and survived the stressors of adolescence. His traumatic experience and the strength garnished by four of his teenage friends, proved to hasten a level of maturity not expected of his age group. His belief in God provided strength where there was none to be had through earthly means. Teenage adversity, peer abuse or social insensitivity, regardless of its title, proves damaging to the mental health of our youth. In a society where immigrants, racial and ethnic minorities seem destined to be subjected to abuses, it gives little hope for a better tomorrow. The five friends shared the collective belief that there is good in all of us and were determined to see change blossom from a society that has held on to its prejudices and sought to bring the greatness of America from its dormancy to its wakefulness.

Sujets

• Social Issues
• Social Themes
• Young Adult Fiction
• Bullying
• Novel
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: AuthorHouse
• Date de parution: 29 août 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781665569132
• Langue: English

Extrait

LADY LIBERTY WEEPS
A DREAM DISENCHANTED
 
 
A teenager’s experience with racial bullying that brings awareness that our differences are very much alike.
 
Joel Waddy
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
AuthorHouse™
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.authorhouse.com
Phone: [phone]
 
 
 
 
© 2022 Joel Waddy. All rights reserved.
 
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.
 
Published by AuthorHouse 08/26/2022
 
ISBN: 978-1-6655-6914-9 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6655-6912-5 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-6655-6913-2 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2022915646
 
 
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
 
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
CONTENTS
First Day Of School
My Refuge
Second Day Of Classes
Home Alone
Welcomed First Impressions
The Badgering Duo
A Violent Day
Creating A Safe Space
The Revelation
A Weekend Of Fun
Back To Reality
True Friends
My First Love
Another Revelation
Digital Bullies
Red Flags
Law-Less-Ness
Reversed Roles
Our Differences Are Alike
Behind A Dark Cloud The Best Of America Exists, And Lady Liberty Wears A Smile
Inculcate To Educate. Not To Hate
References
About the Author

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

While I contemplate traversing along the still waters of the Hudson River, my imagination travels the distance from my brain stem to my cortex. looking up into the sky, removed from my immediate surroundings, home sweet home as once known was now replaced by the dream of new riches. Riches in culture, diversity, freedoms, and the right to be an American. Still bewildered in my diminished state of consciousness, I focus on the symbol of freedom positioned in the distance. While rubbing my eyes, as they engage in conflict with the opacity that would have been, a blurred image of transformation in her facial expression and body torments my self-awareness.
Yes, it is she. Lady Liberty. She weeps but only for select eyes to see. The fictional characters you will encounter in this short novel are individuals that will speak to your heart, moral compass, and ability to remain self-disciplined to see justice is equally employed. The setting is in a typical American suburb. A neighborhood with well-kept homes and manicured lawns in the backdrop of the visioned American dream. The occasional white picket fence adding to the tranquil serenity that wellness abodes in its community. Prepare yourselves for a trip down a disillusioned road to reality. Galen, a boy from Greece and his family have decided to do as others did and test the land of opportunity for its truth.
This is a fictional story that is meant for persons of the adolescent age, will engage the independent thinking adult that age does not necessitate possession of correct judgement and decision making in all instances. The teenage struggle to discover who they are, is challenged by Galen and his friends who expose the maturity and resolve that these five young people possess. The weaknesses of bullies and a system that subjectively favors one over the other is conquered by influencing change.
As you read, you yourselves will attest that our differences are very much alike. You the reader, come walk with this writer as we journey through the life experiences of five teenagers, who struggle to cope with some of the stressors that adolescents face in our society. The interpretation of the typical teenager will be disproved as we give thought by sifting through what has been proven through scientific findings, the development, and functions of the prefrontal cortex on the youth, as it is juxtaposed to the bold and courageous actions of the young characters in this fictional narrative.
As Galen dressed for his first day of class, he reluctantly anticipated how his classmates would accept him. You see Galen was new to the neighborhood. In fact, he was new to this part of the world. He had never traveled anywhere before, and now immigrating permanently to the United States aroused an unexplainable collage of emotions. His mom and dad lent their support as usual, but no one knew how he felt deep within. Differing levels of anxiety took hold of Galen as each stress filled moment made its march toward the beginning of the school term. The firm tap on his back that his father always gave him, was reassuring. Mother’s comforting hug was all that was needed in any stressful moment, and to start this new school day, it was no different. As he waved goodbye to his parents, he masked the anxiety that was toying with his sense of calm. He hurriedly jumped on the school bus and began his journey. The school bus screeched as it came to a stop, and the driver tooted his horn to alert Galen that it was time for him to depart. Finally, he silently thought, “My big day is here.”
The bus driver politely beamed a smile at Galen, but that was soon a pleasantry that was distant. You could visually observe that he felt as if a thousand eyes pierced his body as he slowly placed one foot in front of the other, headed toward the bus door. His languid pace complimented his effort as the three steps out the bus door took on an appearance of a spiraling staircase. Could it be his hair, or his blue shirt mom bought from X-mart? The confused look on his face was apparent as the friendly smiles he initially saw upon entering the bus, was now replaced with puzzled gazes of curiosity. This is not the greeting mom and dad said it would be. Galen sighed, it was as if his wandering thoughts begged, please let my first day of school be better than how this day began.
The drive to school was a short one. You see, Galen’s parents purchased a house that was close to the school. This was intentional in efforts to make the transition easier for Galen. After about fifteen minutes or so of driving, they approached a huge building, somewhat indigo in color. P.S. 37 etched into this huge architectural wonder, or as it appeared in comparison to the school he previously attended. The single story, twelve classroom building he left behind was nothing compared to this one. For a moment he seemed to have forgotten about his anxieties, and gloated in the excitement of his new surroundings, and the many new opportunities that might present itself. Galen just couldn’t wait to stroll through those doors.
As he entered the school building, he was greeted with the scenery of children scurrying through the hallways. A scene that mimicked adults not wanting to miss the next scheduled board meeting. While some students were smaller than he, others were built with the physical characteristics of adults. Nonetheless they all paced the hallways equally in haste. Some of the students were dressed in casual clothing, while others wore the strangest compilation of materials and styles. He took a moment to scrutinize himself and surroundings, wondering how difficult it would be for him to fit in. There were men in uniform, and teachers pacing the hallways. The sound of the public address system pierced his ears. At times it appeared his heartbeat could be visualized through his shirt. He thought, did his outward appearance truly reflect how terrified he was on the inside? Never did Galen imagine attending school would be structured in such organized chaos.
As he approached room 117, he frantically moved with the same hurried pace the crowded halls forced him to maintain. Upon scanning his environment, he realized he looked very different from the boy in front of him, and so the girl to his immediate left. As a matter of fact, they all seemed to represent different cultures, and expressed themselves in the many different styles of clothing they were wearing. He wondered if any of the other kids were experiencing the same anxieties that were overwhelming to him.
Upon entering the classroom, students looked at each other with ambivalence as if questioning themselves if they should sit in the front row or in the back of the classroom. Mr. Johnson, their home room teacher, presented with a smile that both depicted a pleasant welcome as it did firmness, and asked if everyone could please be seated. Finally, the shuffling of feet along with the rustling noises of paper stopped. Good morning said Mr. Johnson, and with some heads held erect everyone echoed in synchrony, “Good morning” Mr. Johnson. It felt almost instantly the weight of anxiety was lifted from their shoulders. As the attendance was being checked, the lengthy pause in time before each child’s name was called was very evident, or so it appeared. In a very direct and sincere tone of voice Mr. Johnson called Galen’s name. A weakened response from Galen’s uncooperative vocal cords attempted to respond, in a soft voice he replied, “present Mr. Johnson.”
As class commenced, we realized there would not be much schoolwork done on the first day of school, but more getting to know each other. Mr. Johnson randomly picked students for one of his infamous first day, let’s get to know each other sessions. He pointed his fingers to each student with that curious grin on his face. They all waited in anticipation for their name to be called. The introduction began. It did no