Society

When reading through the book I often wondered why Sapphire was writing this particular book, it is almost as if she wanted to tell us something about our society and the people in it. I think that what Sapphire wanted us to be aware of is that a girl like Precious is not alone; there are more young girls out there that are dealing with the same problems as her. Precious as a young age was struggling to make it through life, but clearly was getting nowhere because of people and places in her life. Sapphire wanted also us to be aware of was the education system, abuse, and just trying to make it through life was very difficult for Precious as well as the other young girls who struggled. Sapphire writes about how Precious was clearly abused by her parents, as well as everyone else, and how the public school systems basically wanted nothing to do with her. Clearly Precious was uneducated, had a bad attitude, and seemed like she did not want any help from anyone. Sapphire writes how the societal institutions that failed Precious just like her family, neighbors, basically any one in Precious’ life. Sapphire wrote how the public schools wanted nothing to do with Precious; she had a bad attitude, and was suspended from school because she was pregnant. It is as if the schools and the teachers in them did not want to deal her and her problems. Sapphire also writes about how the hospital where Precious gave birth to her daughter, failed her as well. The nurse who spoke with Precious figured out that she was raped or abused, and started to do something about when she called the police, but once the nurse’s shift was over she left, which means she left Precious, which in turn means she failed Precious, like everyone else. I think Sapphire wanted us to see how society sometimes does not want to deal with the troubled, it is as life society as a whole wanted nothing to do with Precious, they looked at her as if she was a lost case. However, Sapphire does mention a school EOTO, which was willing to help Precious, and hopefully guide her in the right direction. Sapphire wanted us to know that it only takes one person to open their mouths when they know something is clearly not right with a certain individual, like Precious. We as a society need to speak up more, and not to sit back and watch, because when we decide to speak up it is to late.