Question K

[Jonetta]

Kim and Bryant visit a community center looking for one of the punters. They encounter a young man named Len who’s there with his girlfriend, Wendy, and their baby. He’s an ex-con trying to find work but Bryant makes assumptions about him based on his appearance and Kim later gives him job coaching and a path towards success. What did you learn from both encounters? What message was the author trying to convey that could be applied to both cases?

[Sharon]

It is interesting because Bryant and Kim switched roles a little in this story.

Bryant's attitude toward Ken surprised me. I guess it show that Bryant is only human. He has a temper and can judge a person unfairly. Kim is surprised that Bryant is pissing people off. It is not like him.

With each book, we see a little more of Kim's human side. She reaches out to a man who is desperate and gives him hope.

[Robin]

I loved this whole scene. Yes, Bryant and Kim did switch roles. It was very unlike Bryant to judge Len without more information. I loved that Kim talked to Len about his situation and offered him a job. Hopefully it will lead to more gainful employment.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

As I mentioned there are a lot of horrible dark characters in this book. And despite her background Kim is not one of them. Yes, she can appear abrupt and hard on the inside but she really is an example of light in a lot of darkness. Probably because of her own experience and what she has seen in the foster care system she has decided to see the glass half full instead of half empty. And the case of Len is an example of this. She doesn't judge people just on their past. In this instance Bryant does what most of us would do, and does. It's good to see Bryant a man with many positive attributes as someone who is still not perfect.

[Jonetta]

Lisa, that’s such a great point. As fine a man as Bryant is, he can’t help his conditioning. He’s used to people looking like Len fitting a certain profile and immediately categorized him before even meeting him. Kim, on the other hand, knows what it feels like to be judged on your circumstances rather than your true character. It’s left her a lot more tolerant than most in her position.

I love how the author provides powerful illustrations rather than telling readers how to be or not be.

This scene gave me pause.