What inspired you to read the book?
Watching movies based on true stories always rank among my favorite for the lessons they teach. Since being in jail and not having access to them, reading books has become my favorite activity. Hillbilly Elegy was recently made into a Netflix movie and the book a New York Times bestseller so this became the perfect combination.
What you learned from reading the book?
Normally, when I think of the white Republican politician, I immediately think of “rich, christian and privileged.” This book made me see the perspective of a person who statistically showed that he could never overcome the life he was born into. I was surprised to learn that the poor uneducated white hillbillies, as J.D. calls his family, rank among the least likely to succeed. With the highest level of poverty and worst drug addiction in the country, they over-rank Blacks, Latinos and any other nationality together. His life was filled with one problem on top of another one, even his last name was changed every time his mother got remarried. His struggles were real, a true pattern of inter generational failure. Being only supported by his grandmother, Mamaw, he became determined to succeed. By making the right choices and never giving up, especially on his mother, he was able to beat the odds and become the person he is today.
How the book will influence your life and prepare for success upon release? I have read several inspiring autobiographies, it is always slavery, racial injustice or religious persecution that are among the worst struggles to overcome. I used to think that the only stories that existed were of the immigrants, natives and minorities who undergo poverty, incarceration and abuse. I used to think that people would have more or less problems due to the color of their skin. This book changed that perspective for me, in this book none of that matters. When you are born in struggle with the odds against you, it does not matter if you are rich or poor; white, black, blue or yellow; Christian, Catholic or Jew; Immigrant or Non, it is through your attitude and your actions that will determine your success.
What was the most inspiring quote?
“You can do anything; don’t be like those fuckers who think the deck is stacked against them.” – Mamaw