Andrea Elliott, a Pulitzer Prize winner, takes readers on an immersive journey spanning eight tumultuous years covering the true story of Dasani, an imaginative girl living in a Brooklyn shelterIn "Invisible Child," Elliott intertwines Dasani's childhood with the historical backdrop of her ancestors, tracing their path from slavery to the Great Migration, the huge movement of African Americans from the South to the Northern states of America. Against the backdrop of New York City's escalating homeless crisis and widening wealth...
Fragile Bonds: Dasani's Complex Family Dynamics
Dasani Joanie-Lashawn Coates was born on May 26, 2001, in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, and resided in the Auburn Family Residence, a homeless shelter, with her seven siblings under the care of their parents. Dasani's parents carried the weight of a dark and troubled past, marked by addiction, incarceration, neglect, and personal hardships.From the moment she came into this world, Chanel, Dasani's mother, experienced a life of constant instability. Going from shelter to shelter with her own mother, they struggled to...
Invisible Child: Dasani Struggles in the Shadows of Homelessness
At the Auburn Family Residence, their living conditions were dire, enduring spoiled food, lack of heat in winter, and cramped quarters. The 520-square-foot room they called home housed mice and roaches, while a yellow bucket served as their toilet. Dasani, along with her siblings, adapted to sleeping in any condition, even as dust-filled walls threatened their well-being.Unnoticed amidst the bustling streets, she remained invisible, concealing her mother's struggle with opioid addiction, the incarceration of her uncles, and the tragic losses...
Dasani's Role as a Protective Sister: Navigating Hardship and Sacrifice
Growing up, taking on the responsibility of an older sister, Dasani embraced a motherly role, driven by a strong determination to shield her family from the brutal truths of racism, violence, addiction, hunger, poverty, and homelessness. Each morning, she would be awakened by the cries of her baby sister, Lele, compelling her to hurriedly make her way to the cafeteria, where she would warm a bottle and carefully feed Lele. Afterwards, Dasani would diligently divide the remaining food from the...
A Beacon of Hope: Dasani's Journey from Shadows to Inspiration
The Auburn shelter deliberately concealed the details of its internal conditions from the public and the press, fearing the closure of the shelter or having to spend additional funds to improve the living conditions if demanded by authorities or prompted by public protests. However, after much pushback, on October 4, 2012, a team of social workers was hired to monitor select families residing in the Auburn shelter, albeit with significant resistance. Among the social workers was Andrea Elliot, who focused...
Finding Hope in Hershey: Dasani's Path to a Promising Future
By January 2015, the time had come for Dasani to embark on her educational journey at the Milton Hershey Boarding School in Pennsylvania. While she felt a sense of reluctance about leaving her siblings and the responsibilities she carried at home, she knew deep down that this opportunity was necessary for her own personal growth and to improve her life. Despite the uncertainties of who would take care of her siblings and manage the daily household tasks in her absence,...
Familial Struggles: Children Separated and Uncertain Futures
As Dasani dedicated herself to her school life, a dreaded incident unfolded back at home. One of Dasani's siblings fell to the ground, enduring violent tremors, while blood gushed from his nose. Supreme rushed to his side while Chanel dialled 911. The ambulance arrived promptly, marking the fourth hospitalization for Chanel and Supreme's children within a year. It was determined that the boy had smoked marijuana he found in the kitchen, attempting to test out its effects.Adding to their desperate...
Turbulent Times: Custody Crisis and Desperate Despair
During their visit to Hershey, the caseworkers interrogated Dasani about her parents' treatment of the children, specifically questioning whether physical abuse was a regular occurrence. Understanding the potential repercussions of her answers, and being unaware of the recent developments at home, Dasani tactfully chose not to disclose the full truth in order to prevent her siblings from being separated. Instead, she utilised her newfound wisdom to skillfully respond, admitting that their parents sometimes revoked privileges and enforced strict rules but...
Transformation and Resilience: Dasani's Journey Towards Visibility
After being placed in a foster home, Dasani was eventually able to reunite with her mother, Chanel, thanks to the efforts of dedicated social workers who recognised the importance of keeping families together. Upon reuniting, a sense of relief washed over Chanel, who had triumphantly secured employment as a delivery service employee during the pandemic and conquered her battle with drug use. However, disappointment gripped her when she discovered that Dasani was banned from Milton Hershey School. Throughout their struggles,...
Chapter 11
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Summary
In summary, Dasani's life journey is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of immense challenges. From her role as a caretaker for her siblings to her time at Hershey and the subsequent separation from her family, Dasani's story is one of strength, determination, and the pursuit of a better life. Despite the obstacles she faced, Dasani's unwavering spirit and desire for change propelled her forward. The support she received from her mother, Chanel,...
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About the Author
Andrea Elliott is an American journalist and a staff writer for The New York Times. She is the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize in both Journalism and Letters.
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