April 2006: Random Family (LeBlanc)

Post date: Jan 07, 2010 8:37:28 PM

A large group of around 20 Smith alums (from the classes of '46-'05) gathered on April 25th at the beautiful Montclair home of Jane Robinson to discuss Random Family: Love, Drugs, Trouble and Coming of Age in the Bronx by Adrian Nicole LeBlanc, '86. A spirited discussion began immediately, as everyone in the group responded strongly to the book and had lots to say.

Many people voiced their frustrations at the choices made by the individual characters chronicled in the nonfiction work. We wondered why birth control was never a viable option to the many teens who are having their third, fourth, and fifth children before they themselves reach the age of 21. Despite the many comments around individual decisions, the discussion centered on the failure of the system--from public elementary schools to various social services--that are dysfunctional and unable to effectively help those people who need it most.

Some of the important themes gleaned from the book were around poverty (class), gender dynamics, race, and cultural differences. Some people found it hard to understand why a young mother of four would spend money on new name-brand sneakers for her children, instead of on medication or basic food products. On the other hand, we talked about how the title Random Family aptly describes the support network formed in the Bronx inner-city. Jessica, one of the main characters of the book, was incarcerated for 7 years for her involvement in her boyfriend Boy George's large-scale heroine business, and therefore her children went to live with Milagros--a family friend with problems of her own. Even when Jessica gave birth to twins in prison, Milagros took the infants in indefinitely, without asking anything in return. That alternate notion of family is at the core of the book. Young women spend time and energy trying to impress neighborhood boys who, in turn, spend their time on the street (and in prison), while the girls are left to struggle to raise the children.

Many Smithies brought their own experiences to the table. We heard about one woman's time in Harlem working with inner-city youth in the 1960's, and many people talked about the Oakland and Berkeley Public school system. Although most of us were raised with far more privileges than the characters of the book, many of us related to the essential needs expressed by the characters: love, support and stability. We all wanted to pass Random Family to teenagers or others who could possibly relate to young women like Jessica and Coco, in hopes that their life examples (as portrayed by LeBlanc) could serve as a warning about the consequences of one's decisions--as well as an illustration of how people struggle to love, work, and create families in our own country.

It was a really exciting book club meeting and I personally feel fortunate to have been present for the interesting perspectives and ideas expressed by all the Smithies there!

-- Elana Jacobs '05

You may remember the interview with LeBlanc in the Summer 2003 Smith Alumnae Quarterly.