here are a few books and films that have made an impression on me lately...
VALLEY OF VISION (book of Puritan Prayers)... I keep a copy in my backpack just to refer to when I'm walking around the city or to meetings at work on campus. The language is a bit archaic for me, but I am able to understand the spirit of their messages.
LOVE IS AN ORIENTATION: ELEVATING THE CONVERSATION WITH THE GAY COMMUNITY... The author Andrew Marin does a great job of explaining the desperate need for reconciliation between the evangelical church and the gay community. This book helped me to come to terms with a lot of things in my life and I appreciate Andrew (being a straight white Christian man) for putting himself out there as an ally to the community and a beacon of hope for this on-going, fear-driven phenomenon. Thanks to my good friend Farmer for suggesting this to me....
ADAM (2008)... This film focuses on a relationship between a woman and a man who has asperbergers syndrome (a more complex cousin to autism). Its a heart touching story that brings to like the realities of the "socially awkward" people in the world. I work with a special population of students in my job and due to some recent mental health issues I've faced myself, I find myself very intrigued by the brain and personality disorders. Its so easy just to label people and never take the opportunity to explore their individual stories. This film teaching a good lesson to the world (particularly the US and its Type A-driven societal focus) and raises the questions...should we focus our energy on medicating and and training individuals described as awkward or disturbed to conform to societies accepted behavior?? OR should we help society to learn how to relate to these remarkable individuals???
DREAMS FROM MY FATHER: A STORY OF RACE AND INHERITANCE... President Obama's stories caused me to think more about how I can be used to make an impact on society. We've all heard about his remarkable journey from childhood to the White House, but to read it (at least part of his journey) in his own words is quite intriguing. At first I thought it would be cliche to liken myself to Barack, but after reading this book for my staff training this summer (despite having it on my bookshelf for months untouched), I can understand what it feels like to be so lonely, without a real father, just stories told by loved ones and still be inspired enough to work hard at achieving high goals. By no means am I saying my dad wasn't involved in my life... I just always felt he was more of a figurehead in our house that we revered and respected as opposed to someone I knew on a heart level and mentored me throughout life. I've learned some great lessons from my dad, but many are lessons he didn't directly teach me; and I'm thankful for all those lessons.
WIG (2009): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1357081/ Director John Holland does a great job at depicting a funny, yet heart touching story about a successful driven songwriter (having everyone in his life depend on him or reject him because of his life "choices"). Following his mothers death, he steals her wig that she was known for wearing and wears it around the house as he attempts to grieve her death. Its quite the hilarious short film, that I just watched today at the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival http://threedollarbillcinema.org/09 . But I found myself coming to tears, cause I started to imagine what it would feel like to come "undone" if and when I ever lose my mom before I die. The writer and lead actor of this film was at the viewing today and he spoke about his mom during a Q&A session. She didn't actually wear a wig, but she was known for having very long well-kept hair. I too could relate. My mom has always had long hair (especially for a black woman), she's never used a chemical relaxer; she's always done the old school wash press and curl thing that black women used to do before chemical perms can on the scene. Its definitely one of my favorite features of my mom. I used to stroke her hair a lot when I was a kid, and whenever she had to attend a formal event for me in school, she would ask how she should style her hair. I'd always ask her to wear it down (she was very known for putting it up in a french roll or some other "up do"). As long as it wasn't too hot and humid out (which is rare in the south) she would obliged and I head my head a little higher, because I love to show her off in front of my classmates and friends. I really miss seeing my mom right now. I guess thats why I'm going on and on about her....
Enough for now... thanks for reading.
~DD
