MacDonald starts out talking about his experience growing up in Southie Boston, an area where crime, drugs, and violence runs wild. He describes the poverty the Irish families that reside in Boston face, and how most families are living corrupt. Very few people at the time he was growing up weren't involved in something terrible; whether it be drugs, gangs, theft, etc. And almost none of the families were lucky enough to not have to experience the tragedy of losing loved ones.
MacDonald grew up to become an activist, one who focused on the poverty and injustices plaguing white Irish families, while most other activist where mainly concerned with the black families living in Dorchester. He spends this chapter reflecting on a time when he was asked by a reporter to talk about Southie and give the reporter a tour. MacDonald writes: "'I miss this place," I said to him. He looked horrified but kept scribbling notes as I went on about this being the best place in the world. 'I always had a sense of security here, a sense of belonging that I've never felt anywhere else," I explained."
MacDonald then goes on to talk about The All Souls' Night many of the families of his neighborhood held. These people, many whom had never properly mourned or acknowledged their losses, got together at a church to take turns telling their stories in hopes that some positive changes would come of it. They all lined up to announce the names of their dead loved ones and to light candles for each. Through the narration of the story, MacDonald explains some of the horrific ways some of the people died.
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