"Forest Gate" by Peter Akinti

     Many people say death is another thing to fear. But others say it's a way to be reborn. In this case it's a way to be reborn and escape reality. In the book, "Forest Gate," by Peter Akinti the main character's brother, Ashvin, committed suicide as a way to escape "this cruel harsh world." Ashvin had been bullied and mistreated and couldn't handle the amount he was receiving at school and in society. The idea of war, bullying, and racism is substantially present throughout the book.

     People may have a sort of challenge or difficulty that is troubling or worrying that may have to do with a social issue. For example,"The memory of my father returning home stopped playing in my head but the sound of gun fire went on and on, haunting me."(3) This is showing the scarce memory of his father involved with the military. And the memory of his father's death's back in Somalia. As well as war being a social issue presented here. But for many people this is their reality everyday where there is no escape for them.Another example would be, "Somalia had been through fifteen years of war."(3) This, for Ashvin, was a major problem since crime swept the streets. Gangs, drugs, and violence filled the streets during the war, creating havoc. And in many places people do live through war and suffer the consequences it causes. Like families living in refugees in the middle east or kids who fight in wars. Or others who believe they are living in a war whether with themselves or in society.

     Another aspect has to do with bullying causing a person to feel depression or loneliness. An example would be,"The Oxford Concise Medical Dictionary describes people with bipolar disorder as being under the darkest of clouds."(3) In other words, people with bipolar disorder feel depression and alone. And in many cases people have bipolar disorder were they get bullied for it making their lives a whole lot harder. Although, not only people with bipolar disorder may feel under the darkest of clouds, but regular people as well. And the reason for this may be because of bullying at school, at home, or in society. And this, relating to Ashvin, was the one of the causes towards his decisions on committing suicide. Further more, another example would be,"He wanted to be a doctor once but he had lived with real pain."(2) In other words, Ashvin has lived through a rough horrible life filled with grief and regrets. Although, the pain he's feeling isn't physically, but mentally.  The pain is filled with the death of his father, the racism society has on him, and the bullying he's faced. And many people do suffer from not only physical, but mental pain too.

     Moreover, society also plays a big roll in ones life. For example,"'No drugs, eh? What do we have here then, the last of the Lord's black disciples?'"(39) This shows the stereotypes society thinks of Ashvin and his brother as well the "crooks" they are based off their skin color. In accordance to the conversation with the cops they were stop and frisked based on their ethnicity showing the racism they face in society. In some cases, this may happen to people and they find it annoying and racist. But to Ashvin he finds it as a problem society is facing and wants to find peace towards it. Another example would be when he was standing at the edge of the building,. "At 11:57 p.m, they were quiet as they emptied their minds, as they tried to forget life, to blend with their frail place in the universe."(10) This shows Ashvin finding his peace in the world or the peace he thinks is right. And some people may feel breakable and vulnerable towards their self-esteem.

     Overall, death isn't just another thing to fear nor the right thing to do if unhappy with life. I feel that suicide is a major problem people face for the wrong reasons. And not just teens, but people of all ages can connect to suicide as well as bullying. I find Akinti writing about injustice problems society is facing today. But "Forest Gate," shows to appreciate what you have and not take things for granted.

Svalbard, The Perfect Town?

        "No Job? Get Lost!" by Andrew Higgins talks about a remote quiet town called, Svalbard, Norway, were unemployment is illegal. It is said to be, "a very quiet and law-abiding society." The reason for this has to do with the geography and climate Svalbard has to offer. The government says that banning homelessness  and unemployment-a problem plaguing much of Europe-is meant to ensure that none of Svalbard's nearly 3,000 residents freezes to death. Higgins is trying to convey that the idea of making unemployment illegal is to prevent poverty, leading to a crime-free society.

        Higgins uses imagery as a type of craft to depict the "pureness" of Svalbard and the residents living in it. For example, he states, "Residents regularly leave their car and snowmobile keys in the ignition and don't bother locking their front doors. Coffee shop patrons leave their computers unattended, never worrying they might get stolen." This shows the residents trust throughout the community as well as the low crime rate recorded. Higgins is trying to make the reader feel comfortable and safe with Svalbard. This example is showing the goodness of Svalbard, but secluding the bad parts about it.

         After reading, "No Job? Get Lost!" by Andrew Higgins I realized how the "perfect" town isn't considered by the unemployment rate, but by the crimes being done. A part that struck out to me was that the police enforce a rule that anybody moving outside the city limits of Longyearbyen must carry a weapon and know how to use it. The reason for this is that me, living in New York, find it peculiar that the police enforce instead of ban the usage of guns. Although the ideal of this "perfect" society sounds good, it also sounds pretty boring as if you're living in this Utopian society. I, on the other hand prefer living were I am and wouldn't like to change that even if it's not "perfect."