In chapters 7 through 12, there is a lot of focus on Ayers "condition". We learn earlier that he suffers from paranoia and schizophrenia. This got me interested in what these conditions are exactly. Someone with schizophrenia will typically think and act in an unusual or disorganized way. They may be delusional or experience hallucinations. Someone with paranoia may experience an excessive amount of anxiety or fear in their lives and may also think irrationally or become delusional. In class we asked questions of Lopez's' role in Ayers' life. He is always questioning his symptoms and checking up on his health. I also question what Lopez's' role is in Ayers life. I get the feeling that Ayers is almost doing Lopez a favor by giving him something to write about, and on the other hand Lopez being in his life gives him someone to care about him (which Ayers doesn't exactly want). The situation is weird to me. Lopez and Ayers were complete strangers, and Lopez put himself in a kind of awkward caretaker position.
Lopez questions Ayers' take on race, and states that "his social development essentially stalled with his breakdown." He also states that his breakdown came at a time that blacks a whites were very much segregated. When i first read this I wasn't sure that i agreed with this. I had in my head the idea that schizophrenia was genetic and was something you were born with. I found out that though it can be hereditary, the condition can come from social stress. Specifically stress from living in an urban area because you could be more likely to be in a situation of racial discrimination, poverty, or family dysfunction. If I, a high school student, could find out all of that in ten minuets of research, why do these established journalist have so many questions about Ayers condition? Look at this mans life! If you can help him out that's great, but he really seems like he want s to be left alone. Ayers seems content on the streets with his music. Lopez obviously has a hard time accepting why anyone would be content with that. Just because he is not accustom to it.
comment on organization, ideas, and if im off topic. please let me know if you had similar feelings on any of these subjects
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Gina, your views on chapters 7-12 were similar to mine. We shared many ideas from what I can see. I really liked how you admitted you weren't sure what schizophrenia was and how you found it. That was a good thing to include in your post and I enjoyed reading it.
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