First term ASTU afforded the incredible opportunity to read an array of genres that depict civilians unique first hand experiences as they struggle to survive in corrupt and war-stricken parts of the world. With the first term coming to a close my peers and I had the privilege of examining the fonds of Joy Kogawa author of Obasan. The novel had a large impact on the way I examine my neighborhood in particular; I will never pass Hastings Race Course again without the Japanese Community lingering in my thoughts. The fonds elicited feelings of connectedness and specific emotions that I felt could never be repercussions of archives from a woman I hardly knew. Naomi and her mother feared that their mutual knowledge of one another’s pain would sever their relationship, in turn they chose to be silent; ironically enough silence was the one thing that severed it. Though tragic it is my favorite aspect of the book; because in moment Naomi realizes that silence evidently destroyed their relationship she makes the decision to listen. It is in this act of listening and breaking the silence that I came across my favorite line of the book

“Mother. I am listening. Assist me to hear you.”(Pg264)

Of the entire book this simple phrase was the one to hook me; she was speaking to her mother directly. While analyzing the fonds I came across a rough copy of the book, one that was to be edited and re assessed before being published. Within the pages Joys small handwriting scratched out some words, and added in others; editing it as she pleased. Then, I came across a paragraph and the last three lines had been viciously scribbled out of sight the replacement for those lines written below read “Mother. I am listening. Assist me to hear you”. Overwhelmed by a rush of emotions I felt a connection to Joy. I was holding the “birth” of my favourite line; it was as if I was seeing my favourite celebrity in person for the first time. Being able to see her writing and just hold the pages made the entire book that much more real. The artifacts truly changed the way I look at the book and make me want to read it a second time over with this new perspective.

As you may have noticed I continuously make reference to novels containing the first hand experiences of individuals living in the midst of war and violence. Such as Marjane Satrapis recollection of her childhood during the Islamic Revolution.

While reading books that embody fragments of these historically significant events debates arise over who has the right to document them, individuals with first hand experience or the outsider looking in? Authors attempt to write books on said incidents and act as if they can accurately express the feelings of pain and suffering that accompany the War. I initially found these attempts to be offensive, until coming across Safe Area Goražde By reporter Joe Sacco; a graphic novel that displays horrific incidents acted out during the War in Eastern Bosnia. Upon realizing Joe was a reporter I was unsure as to whether his story would truthfully encompass these events. Surely (I though to myself) it is not difficult to go somewhere, take some photos, gather some “juicy” stories and publish the findings to make a great deal of money.

The more I read the more I realized that the stereotypes I created in my own mind embodied everything that Joe Sacco was not. He visited the safe area many times, and developed strong, personal relationships with a countless number of individuals. Page 103 displays one of these relationships; Joe states “I was as close as I came in Bosnia to bursting in to tears” his love of Riki is expressed through pain that overwhelms him while watching his friend leave. I assumed he created this novel for his own benefit, but in reality he documented these memories and recollections because he wanted to help the people of Goražde. Joe served as a symbol of hope and movement as expressed on page 57, people got close to him because they assumed that he would get them out.

By documenting and publishing their reality he was able to help them; he uncovered the Real Truth, stressing through his writing that these are not over exaggerations. Although Sacco did not experience these incidents first hand he continuously reminds the reader that he is an outsider looking in simply serving as a “means of transport” for the Real Truth. Through his documentation of these accounts Joe gives an alternate and rare perspective on War, proving that if done right these historic events can be documented by outsiders in a beneficial way.