"Ignorance is fear. Nothing terrifies a person except ignorance."
From Memoirs of a Women's Prison
by Nawal El Saadawi
George's Perspective
"I was the only one who had ever even thoughts of becoming a doctor before that day. The truth is, none of us had sen anything to make us believe it was possible. Sometimes, though, you just have to stop out there and believe in something you can't quite see and something deep down was telling me this was one of those times" (72).
Sam's Perspective
"I could hardly see it [going to college] myself. I just knew that I wanted more out of my life, even if I couldn't quite define what more I wanted. I knew, too, that I had to let these guys [boys from the neighborhood] go. I would never be able to rise with them tugging at my heels" (98).
Ramek's Perspective
"I discovered early in my childhood that you don't need money or status to enrich another person's life. Anybody with pasion and purpose can do so. Throughout my life, people have given generously of their time, skills, money, and more to help me succeed...So I've always felt compelled to give back" (147).
For more information on
- The Pact
- The Foundation
- Contacting the Doctors
go to The Three Doctors
Welcome to the Reading Room!
When we read, we are able to gleam new insights and inspirations about the world in which we live. The author's job is to create the text; our job is to take it and make something of their vision.
In the reading room, I will post a quarterly book that I think offers inspiration and new insights into our world. You will find links to the author and resources for helping you read. At the end of each quarter, you will have the opportunity to meet with me and other fellow readers to discuss what we have done with the author's work.
Along with the quarterly reading, we will also be participating in summer reading. Listed below are the all school read and the Freshmen Composition and Literature Honors read for 2006. You will find background information and links for each of the texts.
Happy Reading!
2006 All School Summer Read
As a school community we are reading the book The Pact by Dr. Sampson Davis, Dr. George Jenkins, and Dr. Rameck Hunt. This is the story of three doctors who grew up in Newark, New Jersey and faced the pressures from their peers and the streets, but triumphed due their commitment to educate themselves and stick together. It is told from three different perspectives; however, the experiences echo similar struggles as these young men move into adulthood and begin to question their identities, relationships, and perspectives about the world. It is the friendship of these men that makes the difference in their lives; it is a source of strength and support, and these men rely upon it to become successful members of the community and role models to young people today.
The Three Doctors
2006
Freshmen Composition & Literature Honors
Summer Reading Selection
Memoirs from a Women's Prison
by Nawal El Saadawi
Nawal El Saadawi is one of the leading literary and political voices from the Arab world. She was born and lives in Egypt where she studied medicine and became an outspoken voice for women's rights in Egypt and the Arab world. Her books are widely regarded as the leading voice for social change in the Arab world.
Memoirs from a Women's Prison covers Saadawi's internment as an Egyptian political prisoner during the early 1980s. Through her account Saadawi leads the reader through the mental and physical anguish associated with being imprisoned for one's beliefs. She also provides a stunning portrait of how the human soul transcends boundaries of race, class and gender to fight for what is right for all humankind.