It's an Old and Tired Argument, But it Surely is Efficient: School Vs. Prison

I’m glad that Piddy got the help she deserved. I also completely understand the mentality that she had - the authorities (the administration) won’t actually be able to help, that it’s just a joke to them - red tape to jump over. It’s a very similar concept to that of prison. I know that the metaphor of public school vs. prison is long and drawn-out, but humor me. What evidence would Piddy have to trust her teachers or counselors? The only role she has ever seen them fill is that of the opposition. All day long, the teachers and administration hold positions of power of the kids, telling them where they are and aren’t allowed to be, what homework they have, disciplining them for being late, making too much noise, having an attitude, wearing the wrong clothes, etc. These children are, to a point, being punished for trying to be individual beings in a system that really just wants them to be mindless robots of complacency and obedience. In what scenario are the adults of DJ on her side? Whenever teachers have told me that they are on “our side” and that they are our “friends” just makes me laugh…

Piddy, who has strong women in her life - always believing in her and letting her make her own decisions and right her own wrongs, wouldn’t let the thought of being a tattle-tale cross her mind. Even the resolution the administration comes up with is in no way backing Piddy. It is just shipping her off to a different. No discipline for Yaqui, just Piddy.

I really liked how this book took on this division of power and how twisted it really is. I appreciated how realistic Piddy’s actions were in that I could understand what decisions she made, why they had to make them, and how she handled each new situation. It made me appreciate the point of view we were given and the choice of Piddy as the main character. Having someone like, Joey - for example, take Piddy’s place would have had an entirely different story, not just because he is a guy, but also how he has been influenced by his parents as to how to take a hit - sadly I mean that just as literally as I do metaphorically. He would have made vastly different choices from Piddy specifically on his confidence in these situations.