After reading the first 60 pages of Holding On, I can say that I am enjoying it to the fullest extent.
Before this collection of dreamers, visionaries, and eccentrics, I had never
before read an ethnography. Furthermore, I did not even know what an ethnography
was. However, now that I have started reading one, I find ethnographies very
interesting. In my opinion, ethnographies bring a whole new aspect about
telling a story. Instead of telling a story in the traditional format with
facts found on the internet, ethnographies allow the writer (in this case the
interviewer) to get a firm understanding for what life was like for the
subject. Specifically, the book is very efficient at demonstrating the variety
of opportunities and experiences in the American life. As for myself, Holding On tugged at my heart strings
for certain profiles. Some profiles were more interesting than others and some
had more of an effect on me. There were two profiles that I enjoyed the most.
Both Moreese Bickham, the prisoner, and the “Prophet” Blackmon were most
striking to me because despite what they went through in their lives, they
continued to hold on to faith in God.
I am a devout Christian therefore I am very active in any profiles applying to
religion. On the other hand, I am more passive when it comes to other profiles
because I sit back and take in the information presented in non-religious
profiles. In my opinion, Holding On does
not have any weaknesses. I believe it is very effective at displaying what is
so special about being a visionary, dreamer, and eccentric in America.
Within Holding On
there are many different themes. Since I am a Christian, the theme that
connects most to with me is holding on to your faith in God no matter how rough
life can get. Specifically, this theme applies to Moreese Bickham’s profile.
Bickham was involved in some misfortune. In the troubling times of the Civil
Rights Movement, racism caused lives to be lost. Bickham fell victim to
violence. Even though Bickham had killed the two white cops, he became a
different man in prison. After many years, Bickham became humble and was
peaceful. What was most remarkable to me was other prisoners, who had committed
crimes similar to severity with Bickham’s, being able to get parole and get out
of prison, but yet Bickham continued to be denied parole for decades. However,
even though most people would have lost hope, Bickham continued to believe he
would get out of prison. He kept believing God would get him out of there. When
it appeared things could not look anymore grim for Bickham, his prayers were
answered and he was granted parole. To me, this theme was more important than
any other theme addressed so far. Whether you believe in a deity or not, the
fact that Bickham continued to have hope that he would get out of prison
despite how unlikely it looked is pretty powerful. Now how does the theme of
hope and faith in God apply to my life? Well there are a couple instances that
have been hard for me but my faith has remained strong. First, when I was 15
years old, I experienced a new aspect in life that I had never been exposed to
before. On December 5th, 2010, my grandfather had a massive stroke
while he was asleep. I had stayed the night at his and my grandmother’s house.
That morning he would not wake up. I had never lost anybody before in my life.
Being exposed to death in the family was a new and detrimental thing to me. I
still have mental images and nightmares to this day and I am still very much
affected by his passing four years ago. As a matter of fact, it changed who I
am as a person forever. Losing my grandfather really solidified my faith in
Jesus Christ. I thought that I would never be happy again because I had lost
someone so close to me. Every day was depressing because I had to constantly
remind myself that he was gone. However, my faith in Christ has allowed me to
get my life back and be happy again. I no longer feel guilty for my grandfather’s
death. Through prayer, active church service, and committing myself to my
Savior, Jesus Christ, I am now at peace with losing my grandfather. The theme
of Moreese Bickham directly applies to my life. When I had every reason to give
up hope, my faith finally came through and lifted my mind, my spirit, and my
body back up. Hope and faith gave and continues to give me
something to live for.
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