SPOILERS!
When my professor assigned my class ‘A Long Way Gone’ by Ishmeal Beah, I was excited because it had been on list of books to read for several months. ‘A Long Way Gone’ is based on Beah’s experiences as a child solider in the 1990s during the civil war in Sierra Leone. Beah’s journey begins with his childhood experiences with his family and friends. His village is then invaded by rebels and in the commotion he is separated from his family and is forced to run. Beah and a group of children travel from village to village attempting to evade the rebels, acquire food to keep from starving, and hoping to find and reunite with their families. Ultimately, their journey for food and a safe haven lead to their capture and turning into child soldiers.
Beah is addicted to cocaine, marijuana, and brown-brown (mixture of cocaine and gun powder) by his captors and trained to be a soldier. He is forced to abandon all of his humanity and commit terrible acts. After years as a child solider, the United Nations helps to remove him from the violence. He then begins his long journey toward recovery and acceptance of what he has done. This is of course a very superficial and simplified summary of the book.
I think this book is so important because it shows how extensively humans (and especially children) are shaped by their environment and experiences. The majority of people are capable of terrible acts when they are not properly cared for, raised, or are forced into certain circumstances. This book is also very important because it shows how Beah came to regain his humanity. Just because one has lost touch with what makes him/her human, does not mean that they cannot be healed or does not mean they are not worth healing.
The use of child soldiers is still very prevalent in conflict today. Groups like ISIS, Al Shabaab, and other extremists target children for recruitment and manipulate, abuse, and use them to further their agendas. Boys are generally used as soldiers while girls are used as sex slaves, sold, or are forced to marry members of the extremist groups. The protection of children from conditions such as this is one of the most important steps we can take towards improving this world. Along with proper parenting, instillation of morals, education,economic/food stability, and a plethora of love and support, we can help raise a wonderful next generation.
I highly recommend this book for anyone. Even though it is very heavy and hard to read at some points, I think it is well worth it.
