(pg. 16) I wonder why The Lost Boys call him out of everyone to "confirm any rumors, to get my opinion on any developments." (Eggers 16) Was he the leader of the group? Well it's good that they have a sort of communication group going on. Like how they "share information about jobs, car loans, insurance, weddings, events in southern Sudan." (Eggers 16) Then again I'm not sure if it's completely healthy that they do that because they really should be focusing on starting new lives in America. And what does SPLA stand for?
Valentino talks about how in the refugee camp in Kakuma he received a new family of sorts
and had brothers and sisters. Then when they all came to America they became just boys and alone. Then why should they all separate from each other? Why don't they split into pairs so
they have someone to begin a new life with? It really shouldn't be so hard to be away from Africa, they have to make living in America enjoyable, and something that can help is choosing to not be alone.
What is the reasoning behind having few Sudanese elders and women in the United States? Is it because they just weren't able to escape from their homes? Weren't strong or fast enough? Sometimes the world just isn't fair like that.
(pg. 16-17) Why is it that they are assaulted by young African-American men? Wouldn't it make more sense to be assaulted by White people? I thought that African American men were "brothers" according to Powder in Chapter 1.
(pg. 17) It's almost like teaching an alien about normal life. Or setting an alien in front of a television and seeing their reaction. 500 channels for 1 straight week. I bet the alien would be "exhilarated, disheartened, thoroughly confused," (Eggers 17), like the Sudanese guys were.
(pg. 20) Just another example of how influential the media is. One example, the article about the Sudanese in Atlanta led to "many new job offers from well-meaning citizens." (Eggers 20) Imagine what else people will do for others just because of a well-written, influential article? Someone writes an article about skin cancer- BAM! Sun block sales go up. Someone writes a story about how fertilizer can grow flowers up to 10x faster-BAM! Miracle-Gro sales start soaring. It's all the power of the media.
(pg. 20) Now, here is another reason why the view of Americans is getting sadder and sadder each day. "They talk to each other without respect or boundaries, and this is how siblings in American act." (Eggers 20) Lovely! How great it is, the way people view our culture! I know that most Europeans hate Americans, (probably because we invade their countries, stink up their culture, crowd their streets, and generally just bug them. Then again I think our tourism is what holds up their economy, so that's something to ponder.) Plus Iranians and Afghans want to bomb us, so I'm pretty sure everyone hates Americans except Americans.
(pg. 21) This sort of immoral thing is pretty shameful. Shame! Shame on you! Or maybe we're all just craving a good story. Full of violence and crazy situations. How about everyone who wants that go watch a thriller or action movie. Something that doesn't induce lying and scheming for sympathy and charity. "But now, sponsors and newspaper reporters and the like expect the stories to have certain elements... Survivors tell the stories the sympathetic want, and that means making them as shocking as possible." (Eggers 21)
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