1. Engaging our first-year students: It’s LA-based and focused on a problem we all face, the growth of gangs. In those ways, it’s a lot like The Soloist. The author, a priest, struggles with how to give other options to gang members and parolees. He founds Homeboy Industries, Inc. I think it will cause reflection too—Boyle says no one who has hope joins a gang. Is this true? His answer to just about every situation is unconditional acceptance. He lets young people in his orbit go their way until they decide they want to give up the gang life but stays in touch with them, doesn’t reject or push them. Debate: is this a practical or successful method of helping?
2. Encouraging intellectual growth: yes. How do we solve the gang problem? What are the usual approaches we hear at home or in the media such as talk radio? What are LA and CA doing that works? That is not helping? Fertile ground for Freshman Celebration projects.
3. Encouraging thought and discussion: yes.
4. Diverse cultural perspectives: It’s probably time for another female author (Jeannette Walls, Suzanne Collins, or Helen Thorpe) and female perspective. Boyle is white and male, but he’s deeply involved in poor urban culture. He occasionally says things in Spanish without translating, which is cool and stretches some readers, affirms others. Maybe it would be good to use his book the following year, after one of these women. Another issue: this book is rooted in Roman Catholicism though definitely not preachy. It it too religious for a Common Reading choice? Would choosing it be affirming religion as a kind of diversity, or would it be unfairly highlighting one specific religion?
5. Addressing contemporary social issues: Tattoos on the Heart definitely does this.Submitted by Anne Eggebroten, Religious Studies & UNIV 100
