A Book Review

The PACT by Sampson Davis, George Jenkins,
and Rameck Hunt, with Lisa Frazier Page
Published by Riverhead Books/The Berkeley Publishing Group
A division of Penguin Group (USA)
2002

   The PACT is a compelling and inspiring true story of three boys who grow up to become doctors. For those with money, a nurturing family, social connections, and the means to afford higher education, this would be the American dream - and frankly, a less than inspiring story. But The PACT is not about those types of boys. The PACT tells the story of three African American boys raised amidst the chaos and pressures of a fragmented community. These boys were not the suburban picture of early success; they were the type of young boys many people get nervous passing on the street. These boys were told and taught they had no hope for the future. They questioned if they could survive in the neighborhood past their teens, with two of the three authors in juvenile detention centers before their 18th birthdays.

   These intertwined autobiographies depict a remarkable journey away from poverty, drugs, and crime to medical school. Throughout this journey the authors work to close economic, cultural, achievement, and generational gaps. They model and impart valuable lessons about courage, trust, perseverance, hope, drive, and most importantly, the positive power of friendship. These are universal lessons to be learned by all readers, young and old. Each author tells his personal account of the doubts, struggles, and demons he faced in his individual struggle to achieve as well as survive. You will be drawn into their lives, silently rooting for their survival. As you are reading, you may surprise yourself as you identify with their personal struggles. The boys facing their challenges struggle with the same issues as most people: needing to belong, to be loved, accepted, to feel safe, validated as human beings, and longing to achieve. But they are also frightened of what it will take to overcome the obstacles so clearly in the way. The obstacles of self-doubt, fear, addiction, easy money, and "good enough" achievements are found in The PACT, but also is suicide, AIDS, gangs, violence, and blatant victimization.

   The PACT is about the alliance between three boys who are determined to "make it," yet found that at every turn their "pact" was challenged. Written in direct language that teens will not only find authentic but also easy and compelling to read, the authors lead the reader to recognize there is a path to success... even from the "hood." Through the power of their relationships with one another, they triumph in an "every man for himself" "society that overemphasizes independence and minimizes the value of meaningful, intimate relationships with friends and family. The PACT offers an important message for today's teens: Do not go it alone - search for and hold on to positive peer relationships. In fact, these relationships may be the only way to survive and succeed. "We know firsthand that the wrong friends can lead you into trouble. But even more, they can tear down hopes, dreams, and possibilities. We know, too, that the right friends inspire you, pull you through, rise with you."(p. 3). It took only one of the boys' dreaming about becoming a doctor to positively influence the others. It took each one of the boys to help, support, push, and force the others not to give up at critical points along the journey. "We knew we’ never survive if we went after it alone. And so we made a pact: we’d help each other through, no matter what." (p. 2).

   You might initially be tempted to dismiss this extraordinary friendship as luck — like winning the lottery or being in the right place at the right time. However, in telling their story the authors model how to be the right kind of friend, how to develop trust, work through conflict, hold each other accountable, how to want for each other what we want for ourselves, and how to never give up. Both the hard work and rewards of being a good friend are clearly portrayed.

   The PACT teaches the youth we work with (and even us) that it is okay to dream big, and that it is possible to overcome what appear to be insurmountable odds. It walks us through how to identify our needs, trust others to help, have faith in ourselves, in God, and in each other. In fact, it repeatedly reinforces how very important we are to one another.

   The PACT also says a lot about coming of age in today's society, especially for young men. It speaks to the challenges of transitions: from high school to college, from college to work (or advanced study), from a life of addiction to sobriety, from stagnation to achievement, from failure to success, from despair to hope, from loneliness to finding worth, as well as addressing the value in helping others. It also addresses the superficiality (and paradoxical complexity) of male friendships, the power and influence of relationships with girls, and the special relationship with one's parents and siblings. When reading the authors' vivid descriptions of their families, you may find tears welling up in your eyes – both for the tragedies suffered and for the extraordinary love and commitment demonstrated. The authors demonstrate how influential the role of an individual can be in the development of young person’s potential: whether a teacher, distant relative, or other member of their kin.

   Just through the reading of it, The PACT will motivate and teach on its own. It also is a catalyst for teachers, counselors, and parents to engage youth in a discussion of the realities of their own personal life experience. I found myself renewed and encouraged in my work with troubled youth, and more inclined to see their potential and motivated to communicate my belief in them.

   These three doctors have committed their lives not only to practicing medicine, but also to reaching youth with their message of hope. The epilogue of The PACT is a prescription of practical steps for uniting friendships and reaching short and long term goals. It is the authors' legacy of ongoing service to youth supported through their not-for-profit organization that provides education, public speaking, mentoring, health awareness, scholarships, and even a web-site (www.threedoctorsfoundation.org) offering support and resources to youth focusing on positive peer relationships and commitment to community.

   The PACT’s raison d’etre is to inspire each reader, whether youth or adult, with the epiphany that if they can do it, maybe so can I. Maybe I could influence someone else to achieve his or her dream - and in so doing, realize mine as well.

Brain, J. The PACT by Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, and Rameck Hunt, with Lisa Frazier Page: a book review. Journal of Therapeutic Schools & Programs. 2006;1(2):189-191.

 

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