Newspaper Child Soldier- Alice

The child soldiers of Sierra Leone

Al-haji Sawaneh, a boy of Sierra Leone, was abducted by Seirra Leonean rebels. He then was forced to fight as a soldier and obey the commands of them. When he took part in tactical ambushes, people saw the talent of him. He was actually good at those and the potential made the commanders to involve him in the fighting and he became a member of the infamous S.B.U., Small Boys Unit. Deliberately, they provided light weighted guns to the young children who cannot carry heavy weapons well. As a result of the hard training and the infamous rumors, thousands of children who were actually engaged in the program gained negative reputation for being an unquestioning obedience and their cruelty. They took part in Sierra Leone's civil war that took about 10years and committed numerous violence and crimes. The children force act out violence such as opening a woman's belly half just to check if the baby is male or female. According to Sawaneh, the weapons that the SBU owned are captured and gathered from the government troops. Also, they put great effort to get the weapons such as using the method of trading the weapons with diamonds. The availability of the weapons after all resulted in the transformation of one of the Africa's most resource-rich nations to a country with the lowest life expectancy.

The article shows several of aspects about the child soldier and the bigger picture of the effect of the child soldier in the country. Child Soldier is most of the time presented as the severe case of violence and cruelty. Through the real life experience that a boy as a child was kidnapped by one of the commanders of the SBU and later on scouted as a fighter of the war. A young child was forced to fight and murder people without the free will to refuse. They were too young and weak to stand up: they would have died if they did.
To add, the issues of the weapons, their use, and the influence of the availability of weapons are shown. Through observation and analysis of the general issue, the writer comes up with an educated prediction and commentary.
Since the medium is newspaper article, it is a report on the issue that the reporter did investigation on and what he or she has pretty much information about. Therefore, it is more credible to believe in what the author says and the content seems more reliable than any other words. Thus, the interview and the information that the article carries on to present are persuasive. Also, it attaches the readers emotionally to sympathize the child soldier while they have offensive mind toward the S.B.U.

child soldier Emily (book)

http://www.amazon.com/Innocents-Lost-When-Child-Soldiers/dp/0465007988

Books are very useful media which contributes to our understanding and further education. Through the written language, books oftentimes cause people to become emotional and inspired at the same time. In other words, one of the advantages of books is that readers are able to encounter various emotions through the gripping stories and develop their sensitivity as well. Also, books are good sources for us to educate ourselves in many areas. This particular book I have chosen to discuss about meets both aspects as well. The author of the book ‘Innocents Lost: When Child Soldiers Go To War (Hardcover)’ examines and analyzes the conflicts caused by the practice of using children as soldiers. Jimmie Briggs, the author of the book, attempts to discuss the problem of child soldiers and deepen our knowledge and understanding of this phenomenon through many personal stories of the children who were engaged in these issues.

Through the gruesome incidents of the child soldiers, the author was successful in having the readers to really experience what it is like to be a child soldier. The author mainly focuses on the conflicts in Columbia and how the economics and power have caused many children to be the victims of violence. By mentioning many different areas around the world where people recruit children, I was really convinced by the fact that the child soldiers are being used worldwide. One of the biggest strengths of this book I found is that the author does not directly inform the casualties and the hardships of the child soldiers. Instead, through the strong voice and colorful stories, Briggs exposes the seriousness of this problem and lets the readers to observe and evaluate. In addition, because the short stories of the different child soldiers are very detailed and well researched, the book gives no doubts about the stories and is able to successfully communicate with the readers. As I was reading some of the key paragraphs, I was so attached to the stories that the writings were all reasonable and true.

By using enchanting verbal language, the author was successful in giving out its message through this book. Even though Jimmie Briggs is a writer and a journalist, his delicate research of the formal child soldiers and his interpretation of their stories give the authority to speak and express the heartbreaking stories. Furthermore, the author goes beyond his perspective as a journalist but also looks at the child soldier issue globally including girls as well. Therefore, regarding that there are some personal reflections in this book, this book is somewhat considered more towards objective. The examination of the journalist’s view point about the world and the people who were engaged deeply in this area child may alert the readers to really acknowledge the problem.

I believe that this book depicts the characteristics of the books very well. To be honest, I was not informed about the life of child soldiers very well. However, as I am finding more and more books about the child soldiers, I believe that I am becoming more and more attached to the issue and starting to acknowledge the problem. This book is able to educate the readers and at the same time bring out people’s emotions. Therefore, the effect of this media form is that it can really revive people’s thoughts and sensitivity through the exquisite writings and descriptions in the book.

child soldiers - TV

http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=gUcVZXxGvXk
The characteristic of TV is that it delivers information to audience in the world. Especially, TV news makes the audience to realize the issues that are going around the world, and when they are delivering the issue, they are not biased or prejudiced. They are not the ones who judge the issue. It’s the audience who make a decision whether the issue right or wrong. TV news is just helping the audience to recognize the news in different categories such as government, weather or scientific.
The child soldiers issue is also delivered to different age groups of audience by TV news. This CNN news talks about the issue by interviewing a kid from Africa who were actually one of the child soldiers. He talks about the story how he became a child soldiers and how the other soldiers treated him. One of the shocking things he said is that soldiers gave him a choice either to stay or to leave. However, when his friends decided to leave, the soldiers killed them and showed their dead bodies to other kids. They said this is how they will end up if they decide to leave. The soldiers also sexually abused little girls who are only aged under 15. By his interview, people get to know the situation of child soldiers in Africa. This interview is more realistic and trustful than just showing the videos of child soldiers because the boy who actually experienced everything is telling the information.
By watching this video, I recognized the current situation in Africa. I realized how child soldiers are being used as weapons of government. They learn how to shoot people before they learn how to write and read. They were shooting people without knowing who they are. The children are aged under 15. They don’t even go to school in that age. They are supposed to in the classroom and learn different kinds of subjects, and not in the war to kill others. In Amnesty International, I and other students wrote letters to the government in order to release the children. At that time, I didn’t know how serious this issue was, but now, I know its seriousness, and I know that people should recognize the issue and come up with the solutions. I should be more active in Amnesty activity so people in the world can help the children.

Child soldier (internet)

Child soldiers trained by the Taliban to kill British soldiers

At an al-Qaeda training camp in Pakistan, the warlord are training boys into killers. The boy soldiers as young as five are in line before being handed rifles in which to teach to fire rocket-propelled grenades. The bemused children are forced to carry heavy ammunition to build their strength. They live in the tents in poor condition with weapons lying next to them. The author of this passage got shocked by seeing an 11-year-old boy walking into a warzone with all the weapons around his body. The author was in angry about the use of children as suicide bombers and as human shields during firefights. Author said “it was one of the most disturbing [scenes] he had seen. It is child abuse of the worst kind and shows the kind of sick tactics al-Qaeda use” (Nick Owens.) From this quote, I can feel that author fall into disgust of acquiring child soldier in Afghanistan. He strongly explained the condition and the hardship of each soldiers; therefore he has solid point of view towards boys who are brainwashed to kill rather than the Taliban. The author didn’t mention any point of view of British soldiers. From this message, I realized the seriousness of this problem thus I should take action.

Owens, Nick. "Child soldiers trained by the Taliban to kill British soldiers." Mirror.co.uk News 8 February 2008 14 Sep 2008 . <http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/2008/08/02/child-soldiers-trained-by-the-taliban-to-kill-british-soldiers-115875-20681500/.>

Newspaper Child Soldier- Alice

Newspaper 2

Straight Out of Sudan: A Child Soldier Raps

The article on the child soldier in Sudan is certainly neutral because most of the times, articles on this kind of issue don’t carry any of the opinions, because they should deliver the righteous information for those who are not well informed. The purpose of all this information being written is for society that is not involved in such matter, who needs to be informed about the affair.Until any governmental related articles are publicized, these types of articles must not carry any opinion. The effects would be something that will provoke non-related people in the world to be involved in such activities to help promote these circumstances in Sudan and in other African countries. This issue in Africa is putting out future leaders in world into a major disadvantage. The more youngsters we have in world, the better and innovative the world will become for the future. Putting immature and inexperienced kids out on the battle field will do no good for both country and for the children themselves.

Stereotypes - Jennifer Oh

When people look at me, they think I am mad so almost everyone says that it was hard for them to talk to me at first. Even my elementary school teacher told my mom that she thinks I am always mad at her. I am not mad or angry at anything. I am just not making any facial expressions. Whenever I don’t smile or put any emotions on my face, I look very serious, and fierce. This is why people say my first impression was not good. Another stereotype about me is that I never study. Every time when my friends didn’t do their homework, they come up to me and ask did I do the homework or not, and if I say I did, they get frustrated. Maybe they were sure about me not doing my homework, and the fact that I actually did was not the answer they wanted to hear. They wanted to console themselves that they are not the only one who didn’t do the homework. Moreover, whenever I study or read book, most of friends say what is wrong with me. Since I am usually loud and like to laugh, I guess it’s weird for them to see myself being quiet. Using the fact that I look mad if I don’t smile, people make connection between me studying and get angry. They think I study whenever I get mad at something or someone. This really gets annoying. I am not mad at anything and I do study.
I also have stereotypes on others. For example, when I see people who are skinny, have light-colored skin and wear glasses, they look like they can’t play any sports at all. Also, when I hear the name ‘Andrew’, it makes me think that person is weird and annoyed. Because all my friends who’s name is Andrew seem to be like that. Moreover, girls who are really skinny make me think that she is selfish and fastidious.
I think stereotypes are harmful in most of times. Everyone has different individuality, but the society is ignoring those individualities and making it unnecessary. In these days, many people are trying to fit themselves into certain stereotypes, and an example for this is going on a diet to loss weight, which is one of the most common stereotypes. The stereotypes are made by media, parents, teachers, or friends, and they are making people to become biased or prejudiced. Another example is stereotypes of models. When I say a model, most of people think someone who is tall and skinny. Yes, in most people’s minds, models are people who have perfect visual body and look. Therefore, many people try to loss weight to be a model, and in this process, some people die because of eating disorder. All these stereotypes that people get bring negative effects. It could be positive in some ways, but in many ways, it’s just a way of disrespecting individualities.

Newspaper Child Soldier- Alice

Newspaper1

The article that I selected is from CNN and the title is “The Perfect Weapon for the Meanest War”. The content of the article is basically about the negativity on child soldiers in Africa. The adults in few countries are enforcing the youngsters to be involved in the vicarious crime, by enlisting them as ‘soldiers’. Therefore, at early age, young children are learning how to work with the destructive tools, weapons that eventually kill other humans or animals. This evidently exposes the children to devastating state of life and death at an early age. Although such countries are short on number with soldiers to guard their own territory or country, they shouldn’t be letting young kids to protect, because they have their own rights to explore their life more than given; they need to be educated at school, not about the wars. Eventually those young kids are the ones who die on behalf of other adults who are perhaps afraid to stand up for their countries. This article is directed for those who are out in the world that needs to know about the world affairs such as this. If not censured by the government, these articles are certainly not biased against anything. And since this article is released by the New York Times, it is certain that the article is standing in the neutral position. This act in any part of the world should stop due to such articles that continuously inform the audiences.

Stereotype - keiko

"What stereotypes do people have about you? What stereotypes do you have about other people? Are stereotypes beneficial or harmful? Why do you think this?"

Since I am a Japanese girl, most people suggest that I am sexually available to foreign men and a girl who is easy to get into bed. Most boys think I am expert in all the sexual programs, but actually I am not. Most boys think I am demure and obedient even they abuse or mock me. I guess this picture of girl being obedient and dominant by the men was come from the ancient Japanese movie. Moreover, Japanese people don’t tend to smile and nod when they are unsure on what has just been said. Some Koreans judge me as a foolish girl just because I am Japanese. Indeed, when I speak English fluently, they suddenly act friendly to me. It’s ridiculous when I see those actions. Therefore, the overall effects of stereotyping are always been negative to me.
The example of positive stereotype is African Americans are excellent sportsmen and superb singers and dancers. On the other hand, in case of negative stereotype is African Americans are less intelligent than the other races. I tend to judge individuals by their appearance, clothing, and intelligence. Although our school is a racially diverse, I tended to associate predominantly with the Asian students while the familiarity was comfortable. However, I don’t alienate those of other nationalities.

People tend to have stereotype about other people who they don’t’ fully know them. That’s why stereotypes are harmful to people. Even “positive” stereotype is harmful to those they target, because positive stereotype can result in negative self-image, stress, pressure to conform, and ineffective intercultural interactions.

child soldier Emily (book source 1 and 2)

Child Soldier book 1

A long way gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0374105235/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books

Book is a collection of sheets of paper bounded together in one edge within covers. Books are very influential source of media for it speaks and communicates verbally with the public through stylistically written languages. One advantage of books is that it can convince people through vivid personal stories but this can be a disadvantage as well for many people may believe fiction books to be true as well. Therefore it can easily convince the public through vivid descriptions and powerful language. This particular novel I have found is called “A long way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier”. This book is a personal narrative by a man named Ishmael Beah, who once was a child soldier and had experienced the cruel cvil war as a young twelve year old boy.

This gripping story takes place in Sierra Leone, where the narrator becomes a child soldier through the civil war that is marked as one of the most brutal and violent civil war times in recent history. Throughout the book, Ishmael explicitly describes his transformation from a normal twelve year old boy to an angry drug addicted child soldier. Through the three years of horrible war, Ishmael loses the control of himself and becomes a violent teenager, killing countless people. The violent and verbal descriptions cause the readers to visualize the possible images in their heads about his self destruction and really feel the emotions and pains that the narrator had to experience. The disturbing narrative and the tone of his voice convince the readers how brutal it is to live as a child soldier.

Throughout the novel, the author communicates with the readers how serious this child soldier issue is and inspires the readers to have more interest and support banning child soldier. Through his powerful narrative, the readers are able to engage with the cruelty that the child soldiers are facing. Also, as he narrates about his recovery in the rehabilitation center, the narrator encourages the teens in the world to always have hope.

However, one of the limitations in this novel is that this is only conducted by Ishmael and his view points. Therefore it is not possible for the readers to look at this issue in any other forms. Even though the book convinces the readers to realize and acknowledge the importance of banning child soldier, it also conveys negative aspects. As Ishmael believes what he had done was not his fault for the society had caused him to be in this situation, this may bring some negative aspects and ideas to the young readers that it is okay to behave in a certain way if the society allows it. In other words, this particular narrative consists of a strong biased in the view point of child soldier. This also conveys a negative aspect of books that it lacks other voices and contains limited facets.

To sum up, as I read some parts of the book, I was deeply convinced by his vivid and strong language. Even though some contexts bothered me for the violent language was very unpleasant, the language itself caused me to communicate with the narrator and his message to the readers.



Child soldier book 2

Children at War
http://www.amazon.com/Children-at-War-P-Singer/dp/0520248767/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220786953&sr=1-2

The second book I have found is called “Children at War” by P.W. Singer. The author of this book discusses the new phenomenon of children at war through his study. Dr. Singer analyses the different ways that the child soldiers are being used in various cultures. Throughout the book, he demonstrates his ideas and thoughts through his personal interviews with people involved with the child soldier issue in different areas. The tone of the author is very objective, as he convinces the readers to engage in his research with reasonable supports and analysis. His works involve the changes of the child soldier in the late 20th century and the early 21st century. The author deals with various topics like civil and guerrilla conflicts that have caused the children to be in the war. Through this closely researched report, the author gives the readers the ideas and solutions to the child soldiers. Although both books I have found cover the detailed writings, this particular book contains no strong emotional voice as the purpose of this book is to give information rather than to inspire others like the one above.

I have found this book very valuable even though it lacks the grasping vivid voice like the book I have found earlier. The characteristic of this particular book is that this gives valuable information in different areas in which the author had collected through his studies. One of the strengths of this book would be the fact that it does not contain much prejudice. As this book only deals with the facts and research, it is very valuable for education.

To sum up, I thought this book was very interesting for the author expanded his ideas in different ways by doing personal research to convince the readers of his reflections and founding. This particular book therefore portrays one of the strengths of the book, which is providing factual information.

stereotypes-Emily Song

Growing up in the states and spending most of my teenage years in America, I struggled with common racial stereotypes that people had about me. Whenever I moved to a different school in the States, the students’ first impressions of me were always “a Chinese girl who can use chopsticks properly and do martial arts.” Because there are many Chinese restaurants in the streets and the population of china is immense, the usual stereotypes that Americans have on Asians are that we are all Chinese and eat rice. Therefore, my friends would always ask whether I can speak Chinese or eat rice every day. Also, once in a while when my friends learned new words or phrases in other Asian languages that I had no clue about, they would come up to me and show off of their new language skills in languages that I could not understand. In addition, after we watched rush hour together, they even thought I can perform Chinese martial arts just like Jackie Chan.

It is true that I am black haired Asian who knows how to use chopsticks, but it neither is true that I am Chinese nor learned kung fu or any kinds of martial arts. To be honest, I abhorred all the stereotypes or labels that judged my identity. However, ironically I too had stereotypes on others and still tend to judge others by their first impressions and stereotypes. Whenever I see a tall man, I assume that his parents must be tall. Also, whenever I see yellow haired foreigners in Tae-jeon I assume them to be all American hakwon teachers. Even though I try not to, I have a tendency to judge people by their looks and actions.

I believe that we all tend to classify people by their looks, actions, and tones. Therefore the stereotypes we create will only harm each other for the unclear assumptions may cause conflicts and bring discord within the society. The biggest problem of stereotypes is that people may lose their unique identities that all have as individuals. As stereotypes categorize people in certain social groups based on their physical appearances, it prevents people from having self identities. Furthermore, this becomes an obstacle in getting to know others as we view people only in limited facets. On the other hand, even the positive stereotypes will bring pressure to those who feel the need to conform. In other words, stereotypes will only cause mental pressures for the ones who need to meet the standard and stress to those who receive negative stereotypes by others.

Stereotypes -Alice Seo

There are many stereotypes that influence how people perceive people’s first impression or the impression in longer term. I personally think that having some informational stereotypes (based on facts) is beneficial but I disagree with the statement that people should judge people only based on the pre conception that they have on others.
Just because I am from Seoul, Ichon (dong bu ichon dong) people consider me as a rich girl who has a lot of money to spend. However, the truth is that I don’t really receive any ‘pocket money’ regularly from my parents. Instead, I ask for money whenever I need any. Also, they don’t really give plenty of money to spend compared to other friends around me. In fact, some people around me who live in Dae-jon, Dae-gu, or Chung-ju, that are relatively less urban, receive more money than do the kids from Seoul. Therefore, the fact that I live in Seoul doesn’t mean much but only creates prejudices. However, I have benefited from preconception too. People who know about Korea have basic ideas about my life. Therefore, even though the people are from culturally different places, they understand my culture and try to fit their perspective to mine. Many teachers in TCIS doesn’t only criticize the Korean ideas or cultures that other foreigners or who has lived abroad may have but many times agree with our ideas and try to help people understand different perspective. Many foreigners usually don’t understand the passion for education of Korean parents. However, people in TCIS understand that this is common in Korea and understands it. These are the stereotypes that helped me.
I thought of African Americans to be a group of people who are so liberal in their thoughts that they would violate all the laws and lead illegal crimes. When I got to take a same subway as an African American, I would be nervous and try to move to another seat to get farthest as I can be from him. It was the prejudice though. After those experiences, I came to TCIS and met several African Americans. They were at the first time very different from me but they weren’t mean or criminal. I found them friendlier and joyful than my previous perception and had built great friendship with them.
There are many different cases where prejudices can act as beneficial or harmful effect. In the bad impression on people can be most of the time wrong and exaggerated. However, it could be beneficial compared to people who have no idea toward others at all. Therefore, I admit that it can have two sides and cannot determine whether it is beneficial or harmful. Though, the ultimate truth is that people cannot ever get rid of stereotype: it is inevitable to live with preconception whatever influence that might have on people.

Media - TV (child soldiers)

http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=vfB7XusZb5w

TV is one of the most popular media to show world issues to people in the world. The TV show I found about child soldiers is by CNN. It doesn’t have any host or narration, it’s just showing the real video about child soldiers and how they are involving in the war as soldiers, terrorists, and murderers. All the scenes are shocking and unbelievable that how could children threaten people with guns and other weapons.
The major goal for TV, especially the news program like CNN, is delivering the information as accurate and fast as possible to audience. Therefore, one of their characteristics is not to be biased. They are just showing the issues and problems, and making the audience to be the ones who are deciding whether it’s right or wrong. For CNN, which is one of the popular news programs in the world, many people in the world watch it, and those people have different cultures, religions and cultures. People have their own ethical standards so they look at the issue based on their ethics. Therefore, news should be dedicated on their goals of delivering the information itself, and not be biased or prejudiced. According to this characteristic of TV news, the child soldiers’ video from CNN only showing the situation about child soldiers in Africa.
The video is basically about Sri Lanka soldiers wearing black masks and threaten others. They are holding guns in their hands and aim it to people’s heads and cheer together after they caught them. What I saw in this video was not children; they were terrorists and murderers under children’s faces. The message about the video is to show how serious the child soldiers issue is going around in the world and how the world is going wrong.
By looking at this video, I get to understand how serious the issue is. It was much more severe than what I have expected. Children who are suppose to play with toys and get educations at school were actually playing with guns and intimidating people. At this point, there was one question that came up in my mind. ‘Are they even know the seriousness of killing people?’ Before they hold guns on their hands, they should get full education and military trains. Children should go to school and learn ethics so they could decide what is wrong and right by themselves. The governments who are supposed to protect their children and educate them are just using children as their weapons.







http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=I0MShxMMd8c


The second video I found is about African child soldiers who escaped from the army. It talks about how the army treated the children. One girl who escaped said the soldiers told one of her friends, “You are now free, run!” but they shoot her when she was running. The soldiers didn’t kill the girl because she was pregnant, and they said it bring bad luck to kill a pregnant woman but they cut her ears and lips. The army let the children to kill their friends, and they kick the children if they didn’t listen. This video’s message is to show the world about the reality of child soldiers in Africa and how the army is treating them. Therefore, it’s not biased or prejudiced on the issue. It’s just delivering the information and showing the reality so people can recognize the issue. This is the characteristic of other TV shows too, which is to deliver the information and not to be biased. It’s letting the audience to make decision on whether the issue is wrong or not since everyone has different opinions. TV is standing between right and wrong.
By watching this video, I get to recognize the seriousness of government who are using their children as weapons and treating them like animals. Children should get educations before they learn how to shoot the gun.

Media (internet) 2 keiko

Wikipedia contains plenty of information on child soldiers. However, it is not 100% reliable. Although Wikpedia has information cited, they information posted is anonymous. Therefore, we do not know anything about the poster, the poster’s background, and the poster’s view (how biased he or she is). In other words, the poster could be posting information only based on his or her perspective. Therefore, it is not 100% reliable. Under my search, there is much information. However, there is one thing that got my attention. The section titled. “International Law.” The Law states that no children under that age of 15 are to participate in warfare. However, if it is an international law, internally, all the countries are supposed to go under this law. But there are still many child soldiers today. Moreover, there are some children that want to participate in warfare. How is the law going to stop that is the country doesn’t? Countries that use child soldiers today are Africa, Asia, Middle East, Europe, and surprisingly North America. However, as noted above, this is wikipedia. Therefore, all the information can not be trusted. But there is still a degree of accurate information. There is a lot of information on Wikipedia, and as students, everybody probably used wikipedia once. It gives specific detailed information on the topic. However, wikipedia is an American site. Therefore, wouldn’t all the posting favor America? In conclusion, although wikipedia is not 100% reliable, I think that there is a degree of accuracy.
"Military use of children." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 2 Sep 2008, 07:59 UTC. 7 Sep 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.phptitle=Military_use_of_children&oldid=235768810>.

Media (internet) Keiko

On Jan, 19, a trio of Australian journalists published a 4,600 words investigation challenging the trustworthiness of the child soldier memoir A Long Way Gone. Author Ishmael Beah suffered from the Sierra Leone’s civil war and the two years he spent as a cocaine-addicted teenage. He was once worked in military as a child soldier. Now, he travels the world as UNICEF representative heightening awareness for the condition of child soldiers.
In the passage, the author is Gabriel Sherman, one of a special correspondent for the New Republic. He constantly scorns the Australian journalists for challenging the credibility of the child soldier memoir A Long Way Gone. For example Gabriel says “If you believe the Australian, much of the memoir is bunk.” He ignores the Australian journalists when they claim that Beah exaggerated his story. Gabriel explains that Beah was an orphaned child soldier for more than two months, not the sweeping two years his memoir chronicles. He strongly states that Beah has documented his tragic story with infallible accuracy and describes views of violence and executions. Gabriel ludicrously laughs at these journalists for spending their time for three months to disgrace a really well-meaning person, who actually did suffer enormously. I can see his tone of anger by calling them “lowbrow” and “dismissiveness. “Since Gabriel strongly believes his point of view, he couldn’t accept to understand the ideas of three Australian reporters. His purpose of this message is to announce that the story of Ishmael Beah contains full of truthfulness. The theme is the conflict between the Australian journalists and Ishmael Beah

Sherman, Gabriel. "The Fog of Memoir." Slate 6 March 2008 7 Sep 2008 .<http://www.slate.com/id/2185928/pagenum/all/#page_start.>