Blog #4

“I didn’t write this book for you, Marcus. I wrote this for those who endure.
Those who manage. Those who are determined to move on.”  This quote is so powerful because this is a prime example of how a negative situation can be looked at in a more optimistic way! Jerome is the voice of all paraplegic people, who were victims of gun violence. Even though Marcus may never read the book, Jerry felt as if it was necessary to express his feelings of animosity, depression, and vindication through this piece of literature. Since he's been in a wheelchair ever since the incident,  important details including some of the many challenging consequences he’s experienced such as: job discrimination, defined housing choices, people's oddly invasive or pitying reactions, offering him money unsolicited, the cabdriver asking him about the impact on his sexual functioning, etc.  With all of these occurrences throughout his life, he acknowledges Marcus' unsavory action with most of the remarkable opportunities he has had in life. If McGill had never been wounded, he would not have become the person he is today! Not to get confused, this definitely doesn't excuse Marcus for his grotesque actions did, but it honestly acknowledges that McGill's life would have been lived under different circumstances, thus resulting in a different man.  It’s been said that in many areas, when there’s confrontation amongst people, groups, etc., instead of shooting the person directly to kill them, the shooter shoots the victim in the back purposely, so that they he handicapped indefinitely! Since your spinal cord, nerves, etc. are located in your back, shooting someone there will most likely than not paralyze them. McGill is content with the man he has grown to be and is appreciative for the admirable things he continues to accomplish and enjoy.

Opinion of the Novel

                                      Opinion of the Novel

Jerry Mcgill’s novel “A Letter to a Man who shot me” was very compelling and thought provoking. It made the reader want to read more and more as the story continued. It told his life, allowing the reader to look at themselves and actually be a part of the story. As I continued to read the novel I kept thinking “what if I was paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of my life?” We see as the novel continues we see Jerome progressing from not fully understanding his situation, to eventually learning to deal with it. At times you can tell that he wants to angry with his shooter but sees the brighter side to everything. He never once asked why this was done to him; he just made reasons about why he would think someone would want to shoot him. Jerome was a remarkable young man before his tragic situation. He was simply compelling, enteric and willing to do anything that would make him happy in life. He saw life as a blank book willing to be written. Jerome did not just have simply life though; he lived with his mother whom constantly worked long hours to take care of his sister and himself. There was not a father in the family. He was the man of the house. He thought his friend’s lives were perfect until a very sad situation happens with his friend’s mother. The book is very heartbreaking but should be read by many more people to get the point across. Over the entire book was a great read and should be read again and again to fully understand his point of writing such a compelling book. Jerry McGill’s novel will go down in history as one to remember from now until the next life.

Dear Marcus Post 2

Why do you think it was so revolutionary when Jerome got out of the hospital?


When Jerome got out of the hospital, it was a different world to him. He thought that it was totally different and he didn't that things would be so different. He now did not have the same life he once had. He simply focused on what he truly needed. He no longer could walk around, play football or even make things better. Jerome was really into a lot of sports and other things. He no longer could play anything he life would never be the same. Jerome didn't use this as an excuse to be down he used it to better himself. He was absolutely remarkable, taking his life in strides and using it as away to better himself. Thomas Edison wants once, "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." I think that this is what Jerome used to get him through this terrible situation. He things to better himself and to become a better person at whatever he does.

 Do You think that Gun Violence was more of an epidemic back in 1982 or now?


Today in the United States of America, gun violence is at its all time high. In 2013, 335,306 people died from gun violence throughout this country. Back in the 1980's, society were not as quick to pick up a gun, a knife, pepper spray or any other miscellaneous types  of weapons in self defense. Instead, whenever there was a dispute between individuals, it was solved the "old school" way. People then would  rather solve their situations by fighting with their fists and/or other body parts, using them as a force to be reckoned with.  If the people involved in the dispute didn't want to take a violent route, their problems could be solved in a more safer, appropriate manor;  talking it out. In the past people, used communication and/or sucked up their pride by simply walking away from a situation before it escalated into a superfluous fiasco! Nowadays, in society , it's easier to find a gun than it is a parking spot.  Many people , especially young black men  die everyday from  gun related crimes.