"An emotionally riveting look into the pain and alienation of foster children as they try to survive in a society that ignores and at times even rejects their very existence. Dahveed bravely gives voice to these children through the eyes of his own struggle to find his place in the world and the next.” - Heather Mann, PhD
“In poetry and prose, Dahveed tells how he has transformed the pain of rejection, abuse and racism into lessons of love, forgiveness and purpose. He uses his life and words not for pity, but to open our mind and hearts to compassionate action. Hear him.” – Lissa Lazaro, LCSW
Excerpt
"Being a foster child is not what we choose to be; but something that has been chosen for us. I often see us as “a product of the system”, viewing the world differently than others may view it. In our world, I’ve often seen pain, mistrust, abuse and even hatred. We are given a stigma that is hard to shake. Words are spoken to us that hurt to the core. We, in turn, create our own world where we find that little piece of love, happiness or stability that was taken or absent in our lives. We use this as our defense mechanism. Whether it benefits or harms us, this is the world we create; one which I’ve created. My world was in the basement of my foster parent’s home; where I chose to spend many hours in front of a small black and white television set."
Professional Reviews
DisilgoldSoul! Book Review
Through the Eyes of a Foster Child: A Poetic Journey
by Dahveed
Photography by Jennie Abito
Through the Eyes of a Foster Child: A Poetic Journey, is one of the most compassionate, informative and necessary guides that accurately shed light on the trials and tribulations of foster children and their lives from youth to adult within the foster care system as told through the eyes of Dahveed, a true-to-life foster child all grown up, doing well and alive thanks to his own journey to succeed and not give up. Over 1 million children who have endured foster care are in for a comforting poetical treat and thought-filled essays by Dahveed, a modern day poetical activist.
However, his hardship as a foster child is less than glorious and painful to read as he reveals a common scene where foster children are taken away from their new found homes one after another just as they get comfortable, and painfully transferred to another home.
Dahveed brings out the emotions in his readers to stop and read the book in its entirety as a gifted poet who is able to grasp a better understanding of this dejection a foster child feels in not understanding the foster care system at such a young age. Growing up in foster care is a quiet and tumultuous journey for many youth. It seems as if the process would evoke anger and self loathing, tears and withdrawal, criminal behavior and lack of trust of people from foster care children, but not for Dahveed.
Dahveed’s Achilles heel has always been poetry. Through the Eyes of a Foster Child further reveals Dahveed’s study of religion and most of all, how he has taken on a humanitarian role to help support other youth all across America with his heartfelt essays and poetry that speak not only to foster children, but society in general who may have forgotten a population of adults all grown up who survived the foster care system.
Furthermore, many foster care children have grown up to become giving and productive citizens, and in most instances, larger than life. Dahveed divulges a wealth of resources in his book to help foster children cope, and for families to better provide for their foster children. He also provides child abuse statistical information to shed light on the further abuse foster children endure within some foster care homes to only return to the kind of home environments they were possibly taken away from that were reported for physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, domestic violence and neglect.
Questions arise on what constitutes physical abuse. There are so many instances of abuse that trigger removal of a child from one’s home environment, but unfortunately the screening process for new home environments and even if temporary can be like living in a cage for some foster children.
Dahveed was also faced with wanting to find a job later on, but his foster care parents did not want to sign a release statement. He wound up entering the military and not only becoming an important citizen, but an advocate against child abuse. His book will certainly touch a lot of hearts who have traveled through the system which Dahveed gives support for trying their best, but what it all boils down to is understanding the plight of foster children and screening for families who care to make their transitions in life easier.
Through the Eyes of a Foster Child: A Poetic Journey by Dahveed, makes this world a better place to live. His poetry and experiences along with beautiful photographs of life are an award winning project too important to miss. In his poem, “Unspoken Silence,” he says it all. His work is powerful and life changing. *****5Stars!Disilgold Soul Magazine
Reviewed by Heather Covington
President of the YOUnity Reviewers Guild of America
www.Disilgold.com
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
(RAWSISTAZ.com)
Davheed devoids himself of the bitterness and anger that so often travels with children exposed to the foster care system, and channels that energy into something positive. He shares his amazing walk through life during and after his tenure in the system. This is not a story, it is a journey of courage.
With poetry and prose he delivers an emotional look at the pain and alienation of foster children, and their efforts to survive in a society that ignores them and often rejects their existence. This is a poignant account of abuse, rejection, racism and atonement. And of Davheed's identification with Judasim which has been his life-line.
THROUGH THE EYES OF A FOSTER CHILD is blatantly honest, heart-felt and compassionate. This should prove to be a useful tool to all persons involved with childcare or childcare programs. This is an empathetic book that will open your eyes.
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