Lady Liberty Weeps: A Dream Disenchanted

By Joel Waddy

Lady Liberty Weeps: A dream disenchanted addresses one of many avoided subject matters. This land of enchantment as seen from the eyes of the immigrant, as perfect as we envision, rears its ugliness in many ways. As welcoming as some may have experienced, others yearn to be embraced and considered American just as any other. This fictional novel confronts the learned behaviors of racial bias as evident in how some children treat their colleagues. Galen, the main character of this book fell victim to bullying as will be witnessed through discriminatory insults and acts of violence disseminated from these learned biases.

Having parents, one may describe as egalitarian, Galen was taught that the rights he was afforded which included the right to be an American, was as deserved as any other person. Denial of such a right either because of racial or ethnic biases, objectively places one in the position of less advantaged, and subjectively to psychological complexes of inferiority.

Galen has lived through and survived the stressors of adolescence. His traumatic experience and the strength garnished by four of his teenage friends, proved to hasten a level of maturity not expected of his age group. His belief in God provided strength where there was none to be had through earthly means. Teenage adversity, peer abuse or social insensitivity, regardless of its title, proves damaging to the mental health of our youth. In a society where immigrants, racial and ethnic minorities seem destined to be subjected to abuses, it gives little hope for a better tomorrow. The five friends shared the collective belief that there is good in all of us and were determined to see change blossom from a society that has held on to its prejudices and sought to bring the greatness of America from its dormancy to its wakefulness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9781665569132

Joel Waddy

An interesting character, a fact substantiated from whence he came to the present. A native of Guyana, his adolescent exposure deviated from the typical teenager experiences. Gifted and positioned to take advantage of an opportunity, he excelled musically, which allowed travel and the assets of greater perspectives culturally. He migrating to the United States of America as a young adult, and either by design or destiny, delved into the health care profession. A career path taken by both parents; he slowly but steadfastly followed their footsteps. His academic accomplishments show characteristics of ambition and drive. His academic ascension lists an Associates in Applied Science degree in Nursing, followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, and currently holds a master’s in health administration. A firm proponent of reaching for the stars is the ultimate long-term goal for this author. A person who stumbles, falls but persistently struggles to rise again, he has finally found that safe space to express himself through literature. Always passionate about writing, only those close to him were privileged to share in this experience. Always the quiet character in the loudest forum with the most to say, yet patient for the most opportune moment to divulge. He now has the patience, time and quiet to explore the mind and communicate with the world of bibliophiles. The father of three children, two boys and a girl, his choice of the genre of young adults was appealing as he dueled the challenges of adulthood while being the father of children that traversed this stage of development. He sees the need to be proactive rather than react to the problems the young adult faces. It is the hope of this writer that the reader absorbs and benefits from the message he tries to convey in this book. Children learn what they live, but learning can also be obtained through reversed roles.

Book preview

© 2022 Joel Waddy. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 08/26/2022

ISBN: 978-1-6655-6914-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-6912-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-6913-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022915646

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

First Day Of School

My Refuge

Second Day Of Classes

Home Alone

Welcomed First Impressions

The Badgering Duo

A Violent Day

Creating A Safe Space

The Revelation

A Weekend Of Fun

Back To Reality

True Friends

My First Love

Another Revelation

Digital Bullies

Red Flags

Law-Less-Ness

Reversed Roles

Our Differences Are Alike

Behind A Dark Cloud The Best Of America Exists, And Lady Liberty Wears A Smile

Inculcate To Educate. Not To Hate

References

About the Author

39509.png

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

kari-shea-apcUIqOPEIo-unsplash.jpg

While I contemplate traversing along the still waters of the Hudson River, my imagination travels the distance from my brain stem to my cortex. looking up into the sky, removed from my immediate surroundings, home sweet home as once known was now replaced by the dream of new riches. Riches in culture, diversity, freedoms, and the right to be an American. Still bewildered in my diminished state of consciousness, I focus on the symbol of freedom positioned in the distance. While rubbing my eyes, as they engage in conflict with the opacity that would have been, a blurred image of transformation in her facial expression and body torments my self-awareness.

Yes, it is she. Lady Liberty. She weeps but only for select eyes to see. The fictional characters you will encounter in this short novel are individuals that will speak to your heart, moral compass, and ability to remain self-disciplined to see justice is equally employed. The setting is in a typical American suburb. A neighborhood with well-kept homes and manicured lawns in the backdrop of the visioned American dream. The occasional white picket fence adding to the tranquil serenity that wellness abodes in its community. Prepare yourselves for a trip down a disillusioned road to reality. Galen, a boy from Greece and his family have decided to do as others did and test the land of opportunity for its truth.

This is a fictional story that is meant for persons of the adolescent age, will engage the independent thinking adult that age does not necessitate possession of correct judgement and decision making in all instances. The teenage struggle to discover who they are, is challenged by Galen and his friends who expose the maturity and resolve that these five young people possess. The weaknesses of bullies and a system that subjectively favors one over the other is conquered by influencing change.

As you read, you yourselves will attest that our differences are very much alike. You the reader, come walk with this writer as we journey through the life experiences of five teenagers, who struggle to cope with some of the stressors that adolescents face in our society. The interpretation of the typical teenager will be disproved as we give thought by sifting through what has been proven through scientific findings, the development, and functions of the prefrontal cortex on the youth, as it is juxtaposed to the bold and courageous actions of the young characters in this fictional narrative.

As Galen dressed for his first day of class, he reluctantly anticipated how his classmates would accept him. You see Galen was new to the neighborhood. In fact, he was new to this part of the world. He had never traveled anywhere before, and now immigrating permanently to the United States aroused an unexplainable collage of emotions. His mom and dad lent their support as usual, but no one knew how he felt deep within. Differing levels of anxiety took hold of Galen as each stress filled moment made its march toward the beginning of the school term. The firm tap on his back that his father always gave him, was reassuring. Mother’s comforting hug was all that was needed in any stressful moment, and to start this new school day, it was no different. As he waved goodbye to his parents, he masked the anxiety that was toying with his sense of calm. He hurriedly jumped on the school bus and began his journey. The school bus screeched as it came to a stop, and the driver tooted his horn to alert Galen that it was time for him to depart. Finally, he silently thought, My big day is here.

The bus driver politely beamed a smile at Galen, but that was soon a pleasantry that was distant. You could visually observe that he felt as if a thousand eyes pierced his body as he slowly placed one foot in front of the other, headed toward the bus door. His languid pace complimented his effort as the three steps out the bus door took on an appearance of a spiraling staircase. Could it be his hair, or his blue shirt mom bought from X-mart? The confused look on his face was apparent as the friendly smiles he initially saw upon entering the bus, was now replaced with puzzled gazes of curiosity. This is not the greeting mom and dad said it would be. Galen sighed, it was as if his wandering thoughts begged, please let my first day of school be better than how this day began.

The drive to school was a short one. You see, Galen’s parents purchased a house that was close to the school. This was intentional in efforts to make the transition easier for Galen. After about fifteen minutes or so of driving, they approached a huge building, somewhat indigo in color. P.S. 37 etched into this huge architectural wonder, or as it appeared in comparison to the school he previously attended. The single story, twelve classroom building he left behind was nothing compared to this one. For a moment he seemed to have forgotten about his anxieties, and gloated in the excitement of his new surroundings, and the many new opportunities that might present itself. Galen just couldn’t wait to stroll through those doors.

As he entered the school building, he was greeted with the scenery of children scurrying through the hallways. A scene that mimicked adults not wanting to miss the next