Jamey L Wilkins / Josephine J Bridgers
Child Speak Out was written to expose the unspoken, ignored and overlooked harsh realities that effect and have effected many women today. By bringing light to the shadowy crevices that encase the secrets of mankind it provides a means of healing for people with similar stories by legitmiing their complaints and letting them know others have walked down that same path and not only survived but became stronger. Some of the things described in this book might be disturbing, but they were a way of life.In Child Speak Out! Josie, the main characer, experienced multiple forms of abuse but escaped reality by daydreaming and transporting her mind to a mythical place of peace and happiness while her body remained to suffer the injustices rained upon her.Her unrelenting belief that things did not have to be that way gave her the resolve to use the pent up pressure of silence as fuel to jumpstart the dying battery of her spirit and will to survive.At times while juggling the weight of dealing with mental illnesses, physical and verbal abuse while growing up poor in the south made her feel as if God didn't give her enough hands. The pain and suffering transitioned with age so as she grew so did her problems. From father to husband the men in her life made her feel depressed and worthless so she was afraid to speak on it.Child Speak Out! is more just a book, it is a siren blaring to all whose ears have been trained to hear pain and suffer in silence. This book will allow them to gather their strength and fight back to reclaim their hidden voice because tomorrow's sorrows can be prevented today. All ears are not deaf so as long as we are willing to speak eventually we will be heard.There are many ways to "speak" and the written word is just as powerful as the spoken word so for those who can't verbally express themselves Child Speak Out! also includes poetry to express pain through verse, motivate, and inspire those to be heard
