here it is-- stowed away in the drafts folder--
Our class conversation (LEAD-- Literacy Education for Adults in Detention) strayed to discussions of redemption-- is there a great story that is not in some way about coming into one's power? (This theme allows for easy translation to the comic book genre, for sure, as well as the movies-- Shawshank Redemption is a jail house favorite.)
We've read El Deafo and Ghostopolis which provide straightforward case studies of kids coming into their own powers. Cece in El Deafo creates a superpower doppelgänger for herself; Garth comes into his extra powers after mistakenly being transported to Ghostopolis, then takes what he's gained back to the "real world"...
Yummy and Stargazing Dog and Maus are all more complicated. Conquering one's demon's proves to be a confused, unclear path-- and a deadened for some of the characters. Many more shades of grey to discuss and explore, to be sure.
One striking thing about working in jail: the inmates are often upbeat and optimistic. Things are going to get better for them; they have plans; they know what's next when they get out. Whether or not these plans will pan out, or for how many of them-- who's to say. But even without a ride home from jail, much or any money in the bank, and another jail time x on their record-- they're still upbeat. It's something.
Hope is a good thing-- as Andy says in Shawshank-- maybe one of the best of things...
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