A Long Way Gone Part II

As I continue reading the detailed text of Ishmael Beah's A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Solidier, I find myself always more and more shocked. Throughout the book, Beah emphasizes that the mindsets of the African regions affected by the war have greatly changed. Strangers, both young and old, are not trusted anymore. Furthermore, when Beah traveled with his brothers and friends, villagers many times thought that they were vicious rebels. Many times they are attacked by these villagers and tortured until proven to be innocent. At one time Beah and his group are forced to strip down and are beaten for their suspicion. I could not begin to imagine this sort of atmosphere, but I can definitely understand how it is formed. Living in a war-torn environment, it is very easy to let go of optimistic viewpoints and to feel a constant threat. Ironically, once the boys have proven that they are just travelers trying to escape this war, the villagers usually welcome them into their homes with food, shelter, and comfort. I can only hope that the optimism that was once destroyed by this conflict will soon return as the war dies.