I really feel so raw after reading this book. It was more than a story it is a current epidemic that we are currently having in the United States! So many people have become quickly addicted to pain medication due to pain management. So many of our loved ones hide their addictions or justify it because life is too hard to bare.

Reading this story of a family immigrating to America for a better life, only to be met with hardship. From Gifty’s mother being super religious. She used God and scripture as a form of rearing, bringing order in the home, and to “pray away the sickness.” This is an example of “hiding addictions” in brown communities. Gifty’s mother was too afraid of what the white people would think of her that she turned to her faith help save her son.

This story is heart breaking and shows how a person can react to trauma. Gifty did not want to face the consequences of addiction in her family. She waged an internal war with herself to not be “the dreadlock man” or seen as “crazy.” She turned to logic and the scientific method as her savior. Which caused her to lose some friendships along the way. Which also tested her faith in GOD. This family reminds us how important it is to check on each other and seek help when you need it. White people are NOT the only people who have addiction problems. Addiction is not only for the white man. It affects POC communities as well.