Push 2

In class today my group wondered why it took Precious so long to start doing something about her situation.  For many years she was abused sexually, physically, emotionally, and mentally, and teachers just passed her through the system, but why didn't she stand up for herself? I came to two conclusions: Precious must have been afraid of any possible consequences that come with 'snitching' or 'squealing', or she didn't have the faith or trust in anyone around her to say anything.  I think Precious was deathly afraid of what would have happened if she had actually told the school what was going on at home, or gone to the local police, or someone else she could have helped.  Her mother was an extremely violent person and I have no doubt that there would have been serious repercussions if Precious would have told someone with authority what was going on.  If Precious would have told anyone that she was being sexually abused by her father I think her mother would have killed her because she was so worried about keeping him in her life.  I also believe that Precious kept quiet because she didn't trust anyone.  She didn't believe that anyone would help her and I think that's what kept her shut for so long.  No one did anything to prove to Precious that they cared or wanted to help.  All teachers did was pass her along for so long and the school system punished her for things that she didn't really have control over so I think she was scared to go to them because all they had provided were bad times in her life.  I think she didn't go to police because of the time period and the type of community she lived in. I'm sure that she had only had bad experiences with cops before so she didn't think that they were capable of doing any good for someone like her.