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Thanks for all your patience while I’ve disappeared to work on this book. I’ll be back with regular updates on the Colton Harris-Moore story as soon as possible.
I’m now working on a chapter that includes worldwide reaction to Colt. As I know many of you have been following this story very closely, I’d like to give you the opportunity to contribute.
Let me know how you first heard about Colton Harris-Moore, what interested you in the story and what interested you about Colt. Tell me how you feel about him (the good and the bad) and how you feel about the events that have happened along the way. Explain why you feel that way. Beyond your own reaction, how did you feel about other people's reaction to the story? What you think his punishment should be… etc. Write anything you want about your interest in the story and what it says to you about Colt, about society, about our times...
A lot of you have said these things in the blog comments, but these answers will have to come via email. I don’t necessarily have to use your real name, but I do have to know that you’re a real person in order to use any quotes in the book. Don't feel you have to write an entire essay -- this is not a school assignment, and I will only be able to use short excerpts anyway.
Depending on the volume, I may not be able to answer all emails right away, but I will read everything that comes in. Please send your emails to: Outlawblog@gmail.com
Thanks, and I hope everyone is having a good winter -- whether or not you're under six feet of snow.
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Colton's birthday is tomorrow, March 22. He will turn 20 years old. We hope somehow he will be able to have a good birthday, and will be free sometime soon if the justice system works as it should, and considers the effects of the severe poverty and deprivation he has endured all his life, from the time he was born. He didn't have the cared-for childhood most of us have had and provide for our own children.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Colton, with all best wishes for a good life, from a lot of people who care.
Beth
Beautifully said, Beth!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Colton!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beth, for reminding us of Colton's birthday. Since he's been out of the headlines for awhile--and especially since the news the past few weeks has been so full of major stories like the Japan earthquake, Libya and the rest of the Middle East--sometimes it's easy to forget that there's still a boy sitting in a cell in Seattle...just waiting. All the other stories are certainly important but so is Colton's. Everywhere around the Earth there are people who need assistance, who need help putting their lives back together for whatever reason. It's frustrating to me sometimes that I can't do more to aid them.
ReplyDeleteI think about that a lot. I DO think about Colton often and I do wish I could do more for him right now. But there really doesn't seem to be much. Bob suggested in his holiday post that we consider supporting services in our respective areas that help trouble kids. I think that's a great idea. Maybe now is another time to contribute...in the spirit of helping Colt.
As people have said here many times before, Colton's story is probably more complex than just that of an unlucky and unloved kid. He may need a lot of counseling and structure and who knows what else if he's going to recover from his first 20 years but I certainly do hope that there will be people waiting ready to help him when he gets out of prison so that his next 20 years are productive, respectful of other people...and very happy.
Happy Birthday Colton. And may they get truly happier from here on out.
Ned, your post is very touching. I support every word you said, especially part about supporting services that helps trouble kids.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Colt...