As a college student, you will be introduced to an environment where additional questions can always be asked and more knowledge may always be sought. The world is indeed a place where one may find more questions than answers, one where discovery and enlightenment are prized. College may shape you to be a beacon in a sea of inquiries. In this developmental experience True American stands as an exceptional example of digging deep to the roots of potential answers and providing insight to the questions society asks. Anand Giridharadas applies incredible journalistic skill and research to identify even the smallest, yet still significant details in order to piece together a nonfiction book that reads like a full-length tale with an omniscient narrator because of his dedication to uncovering every detail. Giridharadas leads us through questions of human rights and American values. He outlines root issues that are not addressed often enough, such as poverty and health care, despite these being issues that when left unaddressed may bring about the kind of stories that flood mass media. These prevalent themes in the book, among many other topics mentioned (diversity, forgiveness, the American Dream, and still more) may do their part in damaging or aiding a society, specifically the “hurting” nation of America, as Giridharadas once called it. However, such issues faced in America in the book affect societies internationally and are ones that the world seeks resolutions for, meaning the world needs driven, educated people to provide answers.
True American covers the trial of Mark Stroman, concerning whether or not the state of Texas should put him to death. In this there is telling of contrasting perspectives on the death penalty, ranging from the prosecutor comparing Stroman to a cancer to society that must be removed to Raisuddin Bhuiyan, a victim of Stroman who believes in forgiveness and stands by the idea that execution will solve nothing. Mark Stroman’s attacks of hate have light shed on them in the book, which reveals how one may grow to become a bigoted killer. Many had claimed that nothing would have altered the way this man came to be and that nothing could change him in the future. However, the story of Mark Stroman’s life uncovers holes in the way society deals with poverty, addicts, and criminals, issues that are thoroughly considered throughout the book. A psychologist’s statement in the trials marks a pivotal moment in the book regarding the reader’s viewing of the behavior of Stroman as being affected heavily by his past. In this way, Anand’s writing is especially cohesive in its explication, showing how one issue may grow from another.
From the image of an America that is “hurting” we see the American Dream that for many has been depleted, which once was an idea of opportunity and achievement that is represented as being made particularly possible in this nation. This is the lens Rais Bhuiyan had seen America through while growing up in Bangladesh. However, upon moving to Dallas he saw that aspects of American society are suffering. Mark Stroman was a product of that. The book effectively traces each person’s present mindset to some origin, telling the details necessary to understand the movement from point A to point B, the kind of details necessary to understanding how an issue came about and where the problem lies. Giridharadas covers the themes of this book from top to bottom.
True American deals substantially with hot button issues with some such as poverty and ignorance being prominent throughout human history. Even the uncontroversial themes become emotionally charged and politicized like the importance of family and forgiveness. We see family being a focal point in the development of the characters, with the impoverished, addiction-riddled family of Mark Stroman being toxic and, also, we see forgiveness, which for Rais is rooted in his faith, as a crucial value and utilized to oppose the death penalty. Furthermore, things such as the value of diversity and understanding are demonstrated, considering the important role we see Rais play in helping people and the inspiring change in character of Mark. This web of themes presents a powerful message, which identifies problems that many face and shows that people can change and people can create change. By means of these overarching ideas, the reader is brought to consider major topics that may positively or negatively affect society and is benefited with the ability to bring these thoughts to the campus community and the world.
Written by Daniel Beckley, a senior at Umass Amherst, studying English, Communication, and Public Policy.