Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult, A Book Review by Rebecca Moll
Jodi Picoult writes one hell of a story in Small Great Things. No surprise there. A sensational tale, jumping the rope of ethics, morals, and attitudes. No surprise there. A touchy topic, for sure. No surprise there.
But, beware, there are surprises in this book, feelings and emotions you will not expect, regardless of the color of your skin or the ink on your arm.
Growing up in a very diverse and divided community, I have seen my share of racism. I have had white people whisper racial slurs to me like the lack of color in my skin confirms my membership to their club of hate. I know young men, intelligent, handsome, college educated young men, that were feared because of their clothes and their skin, judged criminal because they like long, black, leather jackets, red leather sneakers, thick gold chains, large enveloping hoodies.
I have experienced these and other unthinkable actions of those who consider themselves unbiased from my position of privilege and my heart hurts, because I know this is only the tip of the iceberg. I, also, know that it is my race that built this iceberg, deep and wide, hard and white.
But what I have not experienced, says more. I do not fear for my 19 year old son at night, nor for how he will be treated by authority. I have never looked over my shoulder when shopping to find the shadow of security. My daughters are not feared by other girls their age, when in a group of friends, acting loud and rude, I do not have to work harder and be smarter to measure up.
And why not? Because, I was born without color. I say without color, because white is invisible upon white. I could have easily been born elsewhere, a different country, a different culture, a different family, a person of color. Who would I be?
I do not know.
However, I do believe. I believe in God, the Father, the Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth, of all things seen and unseen. I believe he created us in his image and likeness. I believe we are equal in His eyes. I, also, believe I have been spared this cross, for reasons I will never understand.
There is so much I do not know, will never know, or understand. The racial divide is so much bigger than I.
So, what can I do?
Pray, speak the truth, read, educate myself, help others, follow Christ, in short, small, great things. This, I can do. So, can you.
Thank you, Jodi, for doing just that.
But, beware, there are surprises in this book, feelings and emotions you will not expect, regardless of the color of your skin or the ink on your arm.
Growing up in a very diverse and divided community, I have seen my share of racism. I have had white people whisper racial slurs to me like the lack of color in my skin confirms my membership to their club of hate. I know young men, intelligent, handsome, college educated young men, that were feared because of their clothes and their skin, judged criminal because they like long, black, leather jackets, red leather sneakers, thick gold chains, large enveloping hoodies.
I have experienced these and other unthinkable actions of those who consider themselves unbiased from my position of privilege and my heart hurts, because I know this is only the tip of the iceberg. I, also, know that it is my race that built this iceberg, deep and wide, hard and white.
But what I have not experienced, says more. I do not fear for my 19 year old son at night, nor for how he will be treated by authority. I have never looked over my shoulder when shopping to find the shadow of security. My daughters are not feared by other girls their age, when in a group of friends, acting loud and rude, I do not have to work harder and be smarter to measure up.
And why not? Because, I was born without color. I say without color, because white is invisible upon white. I could have easily been born elsewhere, a different country, a different culture, a different family, a person of color. Who would I be?
I do not know.
However, I do believe. I believe in God, the Father, the Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth, of all things seen and unseen. I believe he created us in his image and likeness. I believe we are equal in His eyes. I, also, believe I have been spared this cross, for reasons I will never understand.
There is so much I do not know, will never know, or understand. The racial divide is so much bigger than I.
So, what can I do?
Pray, speak the truth, read, educate myself, help others, follow Christ, in short, small, great things. This, I can do. So, can you.
Thank you, Jodi, for doing just that.
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