How I Resist

You know how sometimes you just want to DO something about a wrong you see in the world. You know how sometimes you can’t figure out just what you should do about it? How I resist is a book filled with inspiration to help you make good decisions about what to do when you see a problem. This is a book geared toward helping teens make a difference in their society.

From the Cover:

Now, more than ever, young people are motivated to make a difference in a world they’re bound to inherit. They’re ready to stand up and be heard – but with much to shout about, where they do they begin? What can I do? How can I help ?

How I resist is the response, and a way to start the conversation. To who readers that they are not helpless, and that anyone can be the change. A collection of essays, songs, illustrations, and interviews about activism and hope.

What you Get:

Stories, poems, and interviews. 30 in all. You get a book filled with the stories and thoughts of people pushing for change. Authors who write novels to show how a change is needed in society, parents who are raising their children to THINK about how politicians affect lives, people who stop those who are laughing and saying “my friends will suffer because of this decision” to help bring a face to a political decision, and more. Some of the stories are just stories showing how people are affected and one thing they do deal with that. Others are almost like letters of instructions.. you want to fight? Here are some steps to take. Yet others are people just talking about how they fight for what they want to see happen.

My Thoughts:

This is a very American focused book. Granted… I didn’t read every story or interview, but I read about 1/2 of them and they were all American focused. Many talking about the current president, and I didn’t really find it helpful. I didn’t. Perhaps it’s my mindset. If you want something changed, talk about it, work towards, get elected officials involved if you can, but talk and write and paint and work hard in your corner of the world to make a difference. You don’t like that black people are treated poorly then model good behaviour and challenge those who need to be challenged. You don’t like that abortion happens… get involved with folks who are fighting to make a difference.

I saw some of this mindset portrayed, but often times it seems like the suggestions were subtly hidden. This leaves me questioning would teens really make that connection? My lad, I know, would miss a lot of it. Giving my opinion on this book is rather difficult in fact. I would recommend that you read through the book before giving it to your younger teens… a couple of the articles had me going hmm… no.. don’t think I want my lad reading this piece. But I’m a Canadian, reading a book very much geared to south of the border with many of the troubles mentioned, ergo it seems all just a bit distant to me.

How I Resist: Activism and Hope for a New Generation
Editor: Tim Federle and Maureen Johnson
Wednesday Books
Trade Paperback, 224 pages, 13-18 years
Activism, Social Issues, Prejudice, Teens