Finding Fish Essay

381 Words2 Pages
Finding Fish: a Memoir Antwone Quenton Fisher was born to Eva Mae Fisher and Eddie Elkins on August 3, 1959. Antwone’s mother was incarcerated at the time of his birth. His father, Eddie, had been killed by a gunshot wound by his estranged girlfriend. Eddie never knew that Eva Mae was pregnant with his child. Eva Mae was a young seventeen-year-old girl when Antwone was born and placed in foster care. She made several visits to see Antwone in the beginning but then never made any other attempts to visit him. Because Eddie did not know that Eva Mae was pregnant, he did not share that information with his family. Eddie’s family were strict Catholics, but were a close family. Eddie’s father was a Doctor and worked two jobs. His mother was a housewife. Eddie was one of nine children. The Elkins were prominent members of their community. One would assume that had they known of Eddie’s son, they would have made sure that he was taken care of. Antwone’s life could have been totally different if only his grandparents had known of his existence. Antwone was placed in the foster home of the Reverend and Mrs. Pickett when he was two. The Pickett’s were an African American couple with a southern black heritage. Mr. Pickett was a shy man while his wife was the matriarch of the family. She was the abuser of the family. She constantly attacked the children with her verbal putdowns. The only strengths that I can think of for the Pickett’s would be their strong religious faith. They did not provide love, safety, or protection for Antwone or the other foster children in their care. Those three things were what Antwone was always trying to find. The Social welfare system, in my opinion, did not protect Antwone Fisher. The system did not protect any of the children that were living in the Pickett household. Antwone was a victim of physical, verbal, emotional, and sexual abuse
Open Document