What causes a community to kill its own? Who are the “good guys”? What was it really like to be part of that time period when Boston bussing, the Irish community, and poverty overlapped?ABOUT AUTHOR (from in book and on line)
No one else can tell your story.
He’d rather write it, than read it.
His mother can’t read the book because it’s too much at once (How often is life one death after another? There are in between times).
Jesus is a champion for oppressed, an activist.
Ma helped make it possible for him to have the strength to write the book.
Who are the “good guys”?
The lawyer from Western Massachusetts who recognizes that Stevie couldn’t have murdered his best friend.
The “shout out” at the end about the son with AIDS who couldn’t be buried at his own church and the father who asked for a letter writing campaign against the priest.
The honesty at the end, gave them options that they didn’t have during the story (they never talked about the murders).
BOSTON BUSSING
Energized identity (rivalry about “those people” now coming here).
Because of bussing, kids stopped going to school and drugs and violence increased.
The kids just got “used to all the craziness from bussing.” It was like a “sporting event” or pep rally.
Depending where you lived, you were bussed or went to the school across the street.
IRISH MIND
Catholic v. WASP
Integration was not welcome.
Southie dot.
Stand your ground mentality.
There is an idea that you can “get out” – the ideal exists.
The importance of not “snitching” and standing by your own.
THE IRISH MOB
Moved into the vacuum created by absent father.
Played on the poverty and subsequent need for jobs and money.
POVERTY
Nature abhors a vacuum, so when there is no hope, poverty, or father, it fills in.
With things like alcoholism and gangs and drugs.
MOTHERS
Extreme form of denial – your own child is murdered and you say, “I don’t know who did it.”
Ma was an interesting character – really cared about her appearance and wanted to look young.
Ma was a loving and caring person at her core, but had to have a “hard” exterior.
She didn’t maintain the “mothering” role – was a bit rebellious, was a “doer” (going door-to-door to find out who killed Frankie).
The author doesn’t talk about his own relationship with his mother (he was also the “witness” for his family, the “observer,” and the “thinker”).
Ma was smart and clever – changed her street address so kids would go to local school.
THE FAMILY
Frankie tried to play by the rules, got protection and perks by being a celebrity.
Davy had a strong, emotional reaction, ended up in mental hospital and committed suicide.
Joe was smart and became the Navy Seal.
Cathy used drugs to try to get out.
