1. Maybe I’m Blind, Just Throwing Darts in the Dark Feraco Search for Human Potential 20 May 2011

2. Things to Consider Can human nature be changed in such a way that man will forget his longing for freedom, for dignity, for integrity, for love – that is to say, can man forget that he is human? Or does human nature have [a component] which will react to the violation of these basic human needs by attempting to change an inhuman society into a human one?Can human nature be changed in such a way that man will forget his longing for freedom, for dignity, for integrity, for love – that is to say, can man forget that he is human? Or does human nature have [a component] which will react to the violation of these basic human needs by attempting to change an inhuman society into a human one? …Man has an intense [need] for love, for justice, for truth, [and] for solidarity……Man has an intense [need] for love, for justice, for truth, [and] for solidarity…

3. Here is my heart for his. Here is my heart. Here, in my chest, palpitating. Tear it out if blood is what you want, but tear it out of me.Here is my heart for his. Here is my heart. Here, in my chest, palpitating. Tear it out if blood is what you want, but tear it out of me.

4. The teacher was surprised when, hearing that they needed a button on the poster to represent the button industry, the child tore one off his shirt and offered it to her. She was surprised because she knew that this was probably the only shirt the child had. She didn't know whether he did this to be helpful, to feel like he belonged, or out of love for her. She did feel the intensity of the child's desire and this was what surprised her most of all.The teacher was surprised when, hearing that they needed a button on the poster to represent the button industry, the child tore one off his shirt and offered it to her. She was surprised because she knew that this was probably the only shirt the child had. She didn't know whether he did this to be helpful, to feel like he belonged, or out of love for her. She did feel the intensity of the child's desire and this was what surprised her most of all.

5. "They just loved each other so much, don't you think?""They just loved each other so much, don't you think?" "No doubt.""No doubt."

6. "No, viejo, don't be mean. Tell them that if he doesn't bring them anything on Christmas Eve, it's because the Reyes Magos will be bringing them something.""No, viejo, don't be mean. Tell them that if he doesn't bring them anything on Christmas Eve, it's because the Reyes Magos will be bringing them something." "But...well, all right, whatever you say. I supposed it's always best to have hope.""But...well, all right, whatever you say. I supposed it's always best to have hope."

7. "And I went with him to where he lived. And I put him to work right then and there. The poor guy didn't know where to begin. He had to do it all from memory.""And I went with him to where he lived. And I put him to work right then and there. The poor guy didn't know where to begin. He had to do it all from memory." "And how did he do it?""And how did he do it?" "I don't know. I suppose if you're scared enough, you're capable of doing anything.""I don't know. I suppose if you're scared enough, you're capable of doing anything."

8. And when he read them aloud it was something emotional and serious. I recall that one time he told the people to read the poems out loud because the spoken word was the seed of love in the darkness.And when he read them aloud it was something emotional and serious. I recall that one time he told the people to read the poems out loud because the spoken word was the seed of love in the darkness.

9. He immediately felt happy because, as he thought over what the woman had said, he realized that in reality he hadn't lost anything. He had made a discovery. To discover and rediscover and piece things together. This to this, that to that, all to all. That was it. That was everything. He was thrilled.He immediately felt happy because, as he thought over what the woman had said, he realized that in reality he hadn't lost anything. He had made a discovery. To discover and rediscover and piece things together. This to this, that to that, all to all. That was it. That was everything. He was thrilled.

10. Another Meaning for the Structure The book is about life, and what it means to be aliveThe book is about life, and what it means to be alive –Failure and sadness –Beauty and happiness –Hatred and love –Isolation and unity This is why the book is structured as it isThis is why the book is structured as it is Long story, short story – long, short, long, short…Long story, short story – long, short, long, short… How does a heartbeat sound?How does a heartbeat sound? The book is literally pulsing – pulsing in time with the lives it’s describingThe book is literally pulsing – pulsing in time with the lives it’s describing

11. Stand and Face the World Erich Fromm – or Orwell – wants to know if we’ll stand up for ourselvesErich Fromm – or Orwell – wants to know if we’ll stand up for ourselves Rivera demands that we do, argues that we must – and gives us two figures who follow throughRivera demands that we do, argues that we must – and gives us two figures who follow through The man in “When We Arrive” couldn’t be any more different from the boy in “Under the House” if he tried…but they’re sides of the same coin, unique but unified, different but inseparableThe man in “When We Arrive” couldn’t be any more different from the boy in “Under the House” if he tried…but they’re sides of the same coin, unique but unified, different but inseparable

12. Freedom Can we be forced to forget our longing for freedom?Can we be forced to forget our longing for freedom? Sure – see “The Matrix,” read 1984, or take a look at some of Rivera’s charactersSure – see “The Matrix,” read 1984, or take a look at some of Rivera’s characters With the adults, the need to endure takes precedence over the need to be freeWith the adults, the need to endure takes precedence over the need to be free The children long for it; it’s not clear that the adults do, particularly those who see their lot in life as God’s choiceThe children long for it; it’s not clear that the adults do, particularly those who see their lot in life as God’s choice

13. Dignity Can we forget our longing for dignity?Can we forget our longing for dignity? We must differentiate between the (willing) sacrifice of dignity and the absence of desire for itWe must differentiate between the (willing) sacrifice of dignity and the absence of desire for it Plenty of people trade their dignity for success; is this the same as forgetting to want that self-respect?Plenty of people trade their dignity for success; is this the same as forgetting to want that self-respect? Have the people in “When We Arrive” lost their dignity?Have the people in “When We Arrive” lost their dignity?

14. Integrity Can we forget our sense of integrity?Can we forget our sense of integrity? In other words, can external forces rob one of one’s moral compass?In other words, can external forces rob one of one’s moral compass? “Hand in His Pocket”“Hand in His Pocket” “The Portrait”“The Portrait” What can cause integrity to collapse?What can cause integrity to collapse?

15. Love Can we forget that we need love?Can we forget that we need love? “The Night the Lights Went Out” – romantic love“The Night the Lights Went Out” – romantic love Any number of stories featuring familial loveAny number of stories featuring familial love Love in faith – strangely absent, replaced by fearLove in faith – strangely absent, replaced by fear –Indicative of the uncertainty that rules the Chicanos’ lives

16. Other Star Points IndependenceIndependence –From orthodoxy –With respect to control –Throw a dart at a list of stories – you’ll probably hit one where this is a concern IdentityIdentity –Personal identity as one experiences dramatic change “A Prayer”“A Prayer” “Hand in His Pocket”“Hand in His Pocket” “First Communion”“First Communion” –Communal identity with respect to a common heritage – history, traditions, desires, obstacles, etc.

17. Man Has an Intense Need… For loveFor love –The Night the Lights Went Out –It’s That It Hurts –The Night Before Christmas For justiceFor justice –“There were sixteen dead…” –The Children Couldn’t Wait For truthFor truth –Vignette #1 –A Silvery Night –…And the Earth Did Not Devour Him For solidarityFor solidarity –The Lost Year –Under the House –Any story where a person is weakened by their isolation

18. Spin Again One of the central questions in 1984 – can we forget what makes us human? – is given a different spin hereOne of the central questions in 1984 – can we forget what makes us human? – is given a different spin here Instead of asking if we can forget, Rivera asks how we can remember what makes us humanInstead of asking if we can forget, Rivera asks how we can remember what makes us human After all, the migrants are willing to continue living their lives – lives of constant degradation and oppressionAfter all, the migrants are willing to continue living their lives – lives of constant degradation and oppression If they can remember, they can return to human existenceIf they can remember, they can return to human existence

19. Erase Distortion Knowledge and understanding can unlock a world of infinite possibilities; if our freedoms, security, dreams, and identities are locked away, enlightenment provides us with a set of keys.Knowledge and understanding can unlock a world of infinite possibilities; if our freedoms, security, dreams, and identities are locked away, enlightenment provides us with a set of keys. The star diagram for each migrant looks pretty stretched…The star diagram for each migrant looks pretty stretched… Rivera’s trying to help people realize that there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with them, and that they deserve better lives than the ones they’re leadingRivera’s trying to help people realize that there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with them, and that they deserve better lives than the ones they’re leading

20. Beginning at the End The last scene of the book is a significant moment of self- recognitionThe last scene of the book is a significant moment of self- recognition The boy is no longer lostThe boy is no longer lost –The community hasn’t come together yet – but the process has started After all of the pain, longing, and frustration of the earlier stories, the novel ends on a beautiful, transcendent moment of hopeAfter all of the pain, longing, and frustration of the earlier stories, the novel ends on a beautiful, transcendent moment of hope

21. …and Beyond I love that moment – the moment where you realize that there’s a purpose to remembering the migrants’ suffering – and a hundred others like itI love that moment – the moment where you realize that there’s a purpose to remembering the migrants’ suffering – and a hundred others like it Rivera has an incredible gift for emotional writingRivera has an incredible gift for emotional writing –He makes you genuinely sad, or genuinely upset, over the affairs of nameless people He also has an incredible gift for subtlety – for writing words that contain multitudes of meaningsHe also has an incredible gift for subtlety – for writing words that contain multitudes of meanings Finally, his thematic concerns are real and important, and resonate long after the initial publication dateFinally, his thematic concerns are real and important, and resonate long after the initial publication date

22. Hitting the Stories First Communion:First Communion: –Fear and confusion intermingled with faith –Removal from human existence – the body as a source of evil –The loss of innocence –Accidents and consequences –Hints of unity

23. Hitting the Stories Vignette #8Vignette #8 –Sacrifice at the heart of love –The need to belong –Do you get what you give? –Living life intensely – burning out bright – because misfortune always lies around the corner –“Everything ends badly; otherwise, it wouldn’t end.”

24. Hitting the Stories The Little Burnt VictimsThe Little Burnt Victims –Unable to handle responsibility while young –The world is cruel and arbitrary –Parents out of home –Hopes crushed once again –The next generation can’t live like this one

25. Hitting the Stories Vignette #9Vignette #9 –Moment of beauty –Happiness within ourselves –Unity and health –Contrast of birth and death –Can anything last?

26. Hitting the Stories The Night the Lights Went OutThe Night the Lights Went Out –Hopes crushed – nothing left to live for –Live hard and burn out bright –Wants stability in an uncertain world –Not ready to transition into adulthood –Wants what V9 has; meets same fate as LBV

27. Hitting the Stories Vignette #10Vignette #10 –The universe is cruel and arbitrary –Trapped – literally – by their circumstances –Taking whatever opportunities they can –Injustice and hate

28. Hitting the Stories The Night Before ChristmasThe Night Before Christmas –Outside world crushing in (agoraphobia) –Fear and the unknown –Defeated/limited by expectations –Risking everything for love –Everyone’s been displaced

29. Hitting the Stories Vignette #11Vignette #11 –We deserve better than what we’re getting –Disconnect between church and the people –Leaving a mark – we were here, and we matter

30. Hitting the Stories The PortraitThe Portrait –More abuse from mercenary forces –Hope is weakness –Taking back control –Settling for something less than you deserve –Believe in what you want

31. Hitting the Stories When We ArriveWhen We Arrive –Constant displacement – never arrives at a plot! –We deserve better –Surrendering to/enduring the circumstances vs. rebelling against exploitation –Hope vs. cynicism –Widest range of emotion –Seeds of love in the darkness

32. Hitting the Stories Vignette #13Vignette #13 –Marching out of the darkness –The spoken word – literature and connection –Love has the power to hold us together –Interested in the things we recognize

33. Hitting the Stories Under the HouseUnder the House –Mission statement for the book – true self-recognition –Remembrance of heritage and awareness of one’s rightful place in the universe –Peace through connection – “That was it. That was everything. He was thrilled.” –The end and the beginning –He chooses his direction – no more “biting flies” to displace him now that he’s taking control of his life