Intolerance

One of the reasons I loved my Kindle was the convenience of not carrying heavy books when I travel and to be perfectly honest, the ability to make the fonts larger.  So when I dropped it right before my trip, I was mortified.  It transformed itself into a useless device.

I was in the midst of reading The Help and was really enjoying it.  When I got to the airport, I went to pick up a copy before I went through security.  They were sold out.  Yikes! 

My flight was delayed so the airport was fairly empty.  When I went to security, there was a group of 7 TSA agents waiting.  They told me they are doing a new test and need to swab my palms with this puffy thing.  One guy swabs and 6 watch.   Bizarre.  Apparently, my palms were fine.

As soon as I dress myself again and put all my crap away, I head to the bookstore and there is the book, waiting for me.  Success.   But what chapter was I at?   i didn't pay attention since I kept clicking.  I forgot how much I missed holding a beautiful, thick book.  I managed to find my place and realize I was half way through the book.  Who knew?

I will be honest that I will be getting an IPad - I do like making fonts bigger than wearing glasses.

And then at passport control, I was watching a scene that I found very disturbing.  I had just watched Invictus on the plane and read a bit more from The Help.  And here, in 2010 in London Heathrow, I am watching a very irate immigration agent belittle this man.  "How long are you staying in London?"  I couldn't hear what the man said but the agent barked back at him: "Then just put it down there, mate."  He was angry and belligerent and I felt like walking up there and giving him a piece of my mind.  But I was trying to get in the country and I did nothing except feel the anger spread throughout my body.

"So, why are you staying here until June 15th?" he taps his fingers in the guy's face.  Again, I can't hear what the man is replying.  But then the officer's demeanor changes and I hear him saying in a softer voice: "Oh, so you will be tidying the place up for when they arrive from Nigeria." I can't bear to continue but racism is alive disheartening.

And I must say, I love the courage of the women in The Help who want to speak out about what it was like to take care of the white families.  Some of the passages are heart breaking as they point to the ignorance of the people who employ these amazing women.   It's about fear again. 

When will these cycles end?

Comments

[Jackie]

The Help was my favorite book from last year! I'm glad you are enjoying it. I've read it twice and have since lent it to Anna. Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny are amazing women and this book makes me want to visit 'The South'. Unfortunately racism is still alive and well in this world.