I feel really badly for Colin, as his Dad has such a negative view of Gay people that he can't for a moment think that Gay or Queer people are *people.* I can't even imagine how that makes Colin feel, about himself, and who he is, and what it means with respect to the relationship with his father. I can only imagine that Colin must think his father couldn't love or accept him if he came out. And if that were me, I'd be crushed.
I don't think that Joe is really abandoning his "No Name Calling," but may be walking a fine line. It's not one of the obvious ways that someone might associate with name calling - but that is what it is. This is a shade of grey in that regard that Joe hadn't had before. It could also be that the level of pain or sadness that Joe feels when he thinks about Jimmy/Kevin and "the Colin thing" forces him to equivocate with regard to his "No Name Calling" initiative.
I think that Joe has an AMAZING family, from supportive, loving parents, an understanding, but realistic sibling, and of course Aunt Pam. I think that any child would thrive in being who they "really are" with Joe's fictional family. Even his slightly more conservative grandparents come around, and even show that in the end, they only want Joe to be happy. However, having a confidant such as Aunt Pam who is more Bohemian and generally “hip-er” than his parents also gave him some early space to play with the idea. Joe is just being Joe, or JoDan, and trying on “life.” Pam gives him the approval and advice that only a confidant can. His friends are accepting, and amazing, and the rest of the family is damn near “perfect” - whatever that is anyway - but Pam has one thing that they don’t: Joe’s admiration and social capital. So, to make a long answer shorter - yes, while Joe has some of the most amazing people in his life, Pam gives him that edge that he needs to come out - and feel ready to do so.
I’m not sure if Zachary is a red-herring. I know that thus far many of the characters have been somewhat stereotypical, but I am kind of hoping that Zachary might eschew that. I just think that Joe might need to check his own preconceptions, too.
I think that, even with his slightly awkward coming out to his grandparents, Joe is still a world apart from Colin in terms of family and support. Joe knew who he was early, and his family let Joe be Joe. Colin is new, and the self discovery has taken away a lot of his social capital. Friends were ostracizing him, his Father shows open hostility and disgust for Gay people, his mother seems to follow the stereotypical “Sex in the City” opinion of Gays, and other and Joe, Colin would have to risk “everything” he’s banked up to this point in his life to be open about who he is. So while on a superficial level Joe might have some more understanding of Colin’s situation, I think to really relate to it fully, Joe’s life up to this point would have had to be extremely different than it was. This is not a knock against Joe, just how I feel about where he is as a kid as this point in the story.
For my role as Illustrator, I made a "digital" collage showing some of Joe's Pride paraphernalia, along with some reminders of Colin. I think that Joe is a sensitive, empathetic, and kind person - who is taking the baby steps toward fully coming out - in a more public way. I pictured him collecting his new treasures on a shelf, while keeping some reminders of Colin.
I tried to include facets of his evolving personality, while grounding it in a 13-year-old-boy’s sensibilities. I really wanted to find an age-appropriate, safe “Groom’s” magazine, but failed in that regard.
Yes. I felt the same way about Colin. While reading the IM I thought this was it they are going to break up because Colin is not able to be himself the way Joe is. I think he constantly feels that he is not adequate and if his father finds out he will not love him. I agree, I think that Joes abandoned the no name calling because of the rumors Kevin and Jimmy start. I think since they have destroyed his relationship with Colin he does not hesitate to come up with a name for them. I agree I think he could not have a more supportive family. Even his guy guy brother is not surprised when Joe finally tells him. He treats it as if it is not even new news. I also think his friends are the most level headed middle schoolers I have ever read about. For them to all be supportive of Joe seems strange. I could not believe that none of his friends had a negative reaction to the kissing rumor and actually reacted saying “so what it is none of their business.” I think Zachary might not be gay and I think Joe is going to jump the gun and assume he is and it will backfire. I would hope that the grandparents reaction would at least let him feel what a risk it would be for Colin to come out. Joe saw a very minor negative reaction. Colin’s life would be turned upside down. Colin does not even have the close group of friends as a support system. I think his friends would not be expecting at all. Haha great collage. I feel like Joe is going to wear one of his pins to school but slightly hide it. I feel like these items made him confident and will at least help with the comments he receives from Kevin and Jimmy. I think he finally sees he has nothing to be ashamed of and if it would not embarrass Colin he would have gone to school in rainbow everything.
don't know, I think that I've seen a lot of loyalty and fierce friendship at the middle- and high school level that I didn't appreciate when I was in middle school or high school. However it is pretty convenient deus ex machina to have him surrounded by such a supportive and accepting group.
As the question writer I will begin the conversation by posting the following questions.
ReplyDeleteHow were you feeling when you read Colin and Joe's instant message particularly Colin's fathers reaction to the Bert and Ernie costumes?
Why does Joe stop putting in blank spaces for name calling, pg. 88 refers to Kevin and Jimmy as the Twin Faces of Evil?
Do you think Aunt Pam is the reason Joes was able to come out so young?
I found it interesting he looked up Zachary's name. What do you think their relationship will be?
Do you think after his grandparents reaction he can relate more with Colin's struggle to come out?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI feel really badly for Colin, as his Dad has such a negative view of Gay people that he can't for a moment think that Gay or Queer people are *people.* I can't even imagine how that makes Colin feel, about himself, and who he is, and what it means with respect to the relationship with his father. I can only imagine that Colin must think his father couldn't love or accept him if he came out. And if that were me, I'd be crushed.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Joe is really abandoning his "No Name Calling," but may be walking a fine line. It's not one of the obvious ways that someone might associate with name calling - but that is what it is. This is a shade of grey in that regard that Joe hadn't had before. It could also be that the level of pain or sadness that Joe feels when he thinks about Jimmy/Kevin and "the Colin thing" forces him to equivocate with regard to his "No Name Calling" initiative.
I think that Joe has an AMAZING family, from supportive, loving parents, an understanding, but realistic sibling, and of course Aunt Pam. I think that any child would thrive in being who they "really are" with Joe's fictional family. Even his slightly more conservative grandparents come around, and even show that in the end, they only want Joe to be happy. However, having a confidant such as Aunt Pam who is more Bohemian and generally “hip-er” than his parents also gave him some early space to play with the idea. Joe is just being Joe, or JoDan, and trying on “life.” Pam gives him the approval and advice that only a confidant can. His friends are accepting, and amazing, and the rest of the family is damn near “perfect” - whatever that is anyway - but Pam has one thing that they don’t: Joe’s admiration and social capital. So, to make a long answer shorter - yes, while Joe has some of the most amazing people in his life, Pam gives him that edge that he needs to come out - and feel ready to do so.
I’m not sure if Zachary is a red-herring. I know that thus far many of the characters have been somewhat stereotypical, but I am kind of hoping that Zachary might eschew that. I just think that Joe might need to check his own preconceptions, too.
I think that, even with his slightly awkward coming out to his grandparents, Joe is still a world apart from Colin in terms of family and support. Joe knew who he was early, and his family let Joe be Joe. Colin is new, and the self discovery has taken away a lot of his social capital. Friends were ostracizing him, his Father shows open hostility and disgust for Gay people, his mother seems to follow the stereotypical “Sex in the City” opinion of Gays, and other and Joe, Colin would have to risk “everything” he’s banked up to this point in his life to be open about who he is. So while on a superficial level Joe might have some more understanding of Colin’s situation, I think to really relate to it fully, Joe’s life up to this point would have had to be extremely different than it was. This is not a knock against Joe, just how I feel about where he is as a kid as this point in the story.
For my role as Illustrator, I made a "digital" collage showing some of Joe's Pride paraphernalia, along with some reminders of Colin. I think that Joe is a sensitive, empathetic, and kind person - who is taking the baby steps toward fully coming out - in a more public way. I pictured him collecting his new treasures on a shelf, while keeping some reminders of Colin.
I tried to include facets of his evolving personality, while grounding it in a 13-year-old-boy’s sensibilities. I really wanted to find an age-appropriate, safe “Groom’s” magazine, but failed in that regard.
Joe's Shelf
Yes. I felt the same way about Colin. While reading the IM I thought this was it they are going to break up because Colin is not able to be himself the way Joe is. I think he constantly feels that he is not adequate and if his father finds out he will not love him.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I think that Joes abandoned the no name calling because of the rumors Kevin and Jimmy start. I think since they have destroyed his relationship with Colin he does not hesitate to come up with a name for them.
I agree I think he could not have a more supportive family. Even his guy guy brother is not surprised when Joe finally tells him. He treats it as if it is not even new news. I also think his friends are the most level headed middle schoolers I have ever read about. For them to all be supportive of Joe seems strange. I could not believe that none of his friends had a negative reaction to the kissing rumor and actually reacted saying “so what it is none of their business.”
I think Zachary might not be gay and I think Joe is going to jump the gun and assume he is and it will backfire.
I would hope that the grandparents reaction would at least let him feel what a risk it would be for Colin to come out. Joe saw a very minor negative reaction. Colin’s life would be turned upside down. Colin does not even have the close group of friends as a support system. I think his friends would not be expecting at all.
Haha great collage. I feel like Joe is going to wear one of his pins to school but slightly hide it. I feel like these items made him confident and will at least help with the comments he receives from Kevin and Jimmy. I think he finally sees he has nothing to be ashamed of and if it would not embarrass Colin he would have gone to school in rainbow everything.
don't know, I think that I've seen a lot of loyalty and fierce friendship at the middle- and high school level that I didn't appreciate when I was in middle school or high school. However it is pretty convenient deus ex machina to have him surrounded by such a supportive and accepting group.
ReplyDelete