Yesterday evening I had the pleasure of seeing the film, "The Help" with my husband.  Reading the book had moved us both so, we felt an urgency to see the screen version.    We arrived early as we were concerned with the possibility of the 7:00 show being sold out.  Having nearly an hour to wait, we snacked and chatted while we watched the theatre fill with co-movie goers.  Finally, our row of seats filled, minus one seat to my right.  A polite lady asked if the seat was saved and eventually ended up seated next to me.  We conversed a bit while we continued to wait, and expressed our love of the book which ispired the movie we waited to see.  She explained she had not read the book and had little knowlege of the story, but had heard so much hype in regards to the movie she wanted to see it.  When the film ended, the lady stated, "I don't think it was realistic, it isn't at all how we are are,  it seemed to me to be more of a fable."
How sad, I thought.  The story of course is a "feel good" fictional account of the lives of maids to white families in the south in the early 1960's, a time and place in our history which has always interested me.   One character, (a young white woman) decides to write a book about the experiences of these maids.  But more than my personal interest, the message of the story seemed for me one of remembering.  Recalling how things had been during a particular time, and how mistaken our society had been to promote the mistreatment of people based on the color of their skin.   
Today is September 11, 2011.  Ten years ago today,   all Americans were attacked.  Our only reason for being targets, the fact that we are Americans.  Not one soul was excluded because they differed in ethnic origin or personal belief.    On that day, we all tasted the power of hatred.  
Since then, stories continue to emerge of how average people became heros by simply reaching out to the person next to them, regardless of their differences.  I hope the lady who sat next to me  is wrong, I hope there is always someone who will reach  out to others, who will be willing to speak the truth,who will challenge our  thinking, and celebrate our resillience. JMH
 
How do you see it? If you have thoughts to add, please feel free to comment!
 


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