Reflections from Malden Reads Enthusiasts

Malden Seniors Read and Share

By Carmen Arnone on 2/1/12

On the third Tuesday of the month, approximately 20 “seniors” gather in the library of The John and Christina Markey Malden Senior Community Center for a lively discussion of the latest selection for their Book Club. 

This intelligent and articulate group of seniors most recently shared their insights about The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, which is the Malden Reads 2013 featured selection. 

Some group members were dismayed by the struggles that the 14-year-old main character Junior, who is a Native American who travelled off a reservation to attend an “all-white” school in a neighboring community. Others were deeply inspired by his resiliency and coping strategies. 

At one point in the novel, Junior tells a classmate, “They call me an apple because they think I’m red on the outside and white on the inside.”  His friend replies, “Well, life is a constant struggle between being an individual and a member of a community.”

The book group discussion turned to the role adults played in the direction and eventual outcome of Junior’s life. A teacher apologized to him and suggested he pursue his education in the “all-white” school.  His parents, though poor, alcoholic and unemployed, supported his efforts to follow his dream to become somebody special.  His grandmother’s gift was to teach him tolerance. 

By drawing cartoons and keeping a diary, Junior processed the adversarial circumstances that came with appearing to be different. 

One book club member who faced racial prejudice as a 14-year-old himself shared his point of view by saying, “While young, children wouldn’t react to green, purple, black, brown or yellow skin. They learn prejudice from influential adults. If left to be on their own, they’re colorblind and see each other as a child of God.”

Anyone stepping through the doors of the Malden Senior Community Center immediately recognizes the diversity of Malden’s citizenry.  Each of us can easily draw conclusions and pass judgments about someone we encounter based on what we “see” on the outside.

Book Group provides a venue for individuals to come together to listen respectfully to one another. As we share opinions, we grow in tolerance for others in our community who might seem to be apples, oranges, bananas or pineapples. 

Book Group provides a venue for individuals to come together to listen respectfully to one another. As we share opinions, we grow in tolerance for others in our community who might seem to be apples, oranges, bananas or pineapples. 

In the end, we make a delicious “fruit cocktail” open to fresh ideas and insightful reflections as we take a copy of our next reading selection and go about living our individual lives until our community of readers comes together next month.

Carmen Arnone is a retired Malden educator who thrives on the many interests and friendships that promote "life long learning." She can be reached at carnone@comcast.net.