Drugs, Foster Care, and Music

Day 26: A Book That Changed Your Mind About Something

I wouldn't say this book really changed my mind about anything - but it definitely helped me to be more sympathetic and open minded.

Born Blue by Han Nolan

Janie (who changes her name to Leshaya) is born with a natural singing talent that blows everyone away. But like  many artists - there are a million roadblocks in her way. Being the daughter of a heroin addict, being tossed around foster homes, an unwanted pregnancy, and essentially being raised by drug dealers... making a career out of singing isn't the easiest thing in the world for her to do. (Not like it is for anyone else in the world either.) I don't remember a whole lot about the book - although I feel like in the end it's about Janie learning to love herself.

I feel like I read this book when I was in high school. When I was younger - I had a hard time understanding people who smoked and did drugs. Especially people my age. Growing up in a small Lutheran church and school, while I knew it was all around and such, I wasn't exposed to it a whole lot. So when I heard about people smoking, or even friends of mine experimenting with such things, I just didn't understand it. Didn't they pay attention in DARE????

As I got older, and started going to public school, I began to be more sympathetic and understanding where they were coming from. Not that I ever agreed with those choices or promoted them - but I wasn't as judgmental. Reading this book helped me with that. It helped me to understand that not everyone is as lucky as I am to have a supportive family, and some people really don't know to "just say no." For some... it's all they know.

So... this book didn't really change my mind about anything. But it helped me in the process of growing up and opening my eyes to what other people are going through.