The Nickel Boys

I love Florida. Actually, let's rephrase that, I love a boy who lives in Florida. Not a boy from Florida and certainly not a boy associated with the horrors in the book The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead which is a fictionalized version of true events that took place at a real Florida reform school for boys during the course of the 20th century. Deeply troubling, this recommendation from Lisa caused me to ponder profound questions about race, discipline, and punishment that I've already been wrestling with, as well as to research the actual circumstances the book is based upon.

What's love got to do with it?

Abuse at the hands of those who are supposed to nurture, protect, and TEACH, is somehow worse than regular ole' garden variety abuse because it involves the misuse of power and is delivered sanctimoniously in the form of lessons learned or some sort of misinformed guidance.

The abuse the boys—many of color and from low income families—suffered at the hands of the teachers and administrators at the school was cruel, interminable, and life-changing, but Whitehead weaves together a narrative of redemption and reflection within the backdrop of the school's awful history. News accounts documenting newly discovered unmarked graves on the property are the latest shocking details to emerge regarding this shameful story.

Following a catastrophic storm, a new investigation begins at Florida’s Dozier School for Boys

On a side note, I watched an interesting 60 Minutes episode about Whitehead's writing career. He is the author of The Underground Railroad on which the 2017 series is based. I'm looking forward to reading his 2021 novel, Harlem Shuffle, which is supposedly a follow-up to The Nickel Boys.

And, that boy I know in Florida? He's an old high school friend who I recently reconnected with after our 40th class reunion. He comes from a lot of different places, and I love how he tickles my brain! I wonder if he has read this book.