Read and Respond Odede/Posner Ch. 11-14

 For this response I want to go away from the prompt “What might have Jessica done differently if she knew before she got to Kenya” because I honestly had lots of thoughts I wrestled with when I was reading these chapters. 

These chapters really put everything into perspective for me; they felt like the core of the book. For the first time, I fully understood just how different Jessica and Kennedy’s lives truly are. Jessica acknowledges this herself, saying, “no matter what I feel for Kennedy and he for me, we are from two different worlds: mine of plenty and his of want.” She realizes that they fundamentally struggle to understand each other because her hardships are nothing compared to his. Her privileges give her security, and while it is not her fault, the accompanying insecurity of recognizing this divide is tough to shake. 

In Kibera, people are always in survival mode, faced with choices that can make or break their lives. This is not a place where life gives second chances. One mistake, no matter how small, can derail any hope of breaking the cycle of poverty. “Here in Kibera, the world is relentless and unforgiving.” The environment is punishing, where people are caught in an endless cycle of poverty with no margin for error, as any small slip-up can mean losing their future—and even, sometimes, their life. 

When the elections come up, with the accompanying violence and the political turmoil that follows, it is a devastating reality for the people in Kibera who have always been marginalized. The senseless loss of life during these chapters was incredibly hard to read, especially with the brutal details of the deaths. Angel, an innocent child, died because of a careless, stray bullet fired by the police, someone meant to protect her. Kennedy also describes losing friends to forced circumcisions, a violent tactic that stripped them of their dignity and ultimately their lives. 

The overwhelming frustration in these chapters is so real. When Kennedy says, “I feel deeply sad, not only for the victims but also for these young men who have been so badly oppressed that now they have turned wild,” it hit hard. It is true—no one wants to kill or torture, but sometimes people are pushed so far that they feel they have no other choice. They have been so repressed and frustrated that these acts feel like the only outlet. It is necessary to humanize even those who act in inhuman ways, to understand the factors that drive such extreme behaviors. Mob mentality only intensifies this, and once it takes hold, it is hard for anyone to stop it. 

Kennedy’s comment, “What a waste. Neither government party cares if we, the people, live or die,” really resonated with me on a personal level, especially reflecting on the political turmoil in Pakistan. During election seasons, I have seen this same destructive divide within my own family, where strong political opinions turn into bitter arguments. People end up sacrificing relationships over political figures who ultimately don’t know or care about them. At the end of the day, those in power remain indifferent, and it is the people who suffer the consequences, paying the price in bloodshed, heartbreak, and broken families. 

When Kennedy finally leaves Kibera, I felt a sense of relief that he might finally experience some peace, only to see him struggle with guilt instead. “Sometimes I cannot forgive myself for leaving. Other times I know I had no choice.” I just wanted to tell him to take it easy. He left to create change, and he would not have had the same opportunities if he had stayed. Leaving something behind can sometimes be necessary for moving forward. Many people feel this conflict when they leave their home countries, but it is essential to remind yourself that there is a greater plan in play. “I know I do not deserve all these things that I have here in America. Life should not be so based on luck, opportunities as hard to stumble upon as winning the lottery.” This line stood out because it shows his internal struggle—he is facing existential questions that arise from the stark differences between his two worlds. The privileges many of us take for granted, like unlimited food or hot water, might be someone else’s dream. It puts everything into perspective. 

Overall, these chapters taught me so much. It is heartbreaking to see how ruthless the world can be to some while being so generous to others. We do not get to choose where we are born, but we do get to choose what we do with what we have. The reality of this world is frustrating, and at times, painfully unfair.