Last night I watched Cloud Atlas for the first time. As with any great story, there were lines of dialog that stood out and resonated with me. I just wasn’t aware how prophetic one of those lines would be- which in hindsight is fitting when one considers the central themes of that story.
One of the characters stood in denouncement of his son, who was going off to affect social change by joining the abolitionist movement. He said that his son’s actions would be futile, amounting to little more than a drop of water. What his son said in retort was beautiful:
“My life amounts to no more than one drop in a limitless ocean. Yet what is any ocean, but a multitude of drops?”
This column started out to simply inform and create discourse, but as the journey progressed it became a cause for change.
In the time since my first article became part of cyberspace I have received some criticism, but also a lot of support. I have thoroughly enjoyed the comments and conversations on both sides as many a reader has shaken their head in bewilderment at not only the titles embattled in controversy, but the reasons for those controversies.
I have received many thanks for the articles from students, teachers, fellow columnists, avid book lovers and readers, and have even had my material become part of classroom literature assignments from middle school through universities around the world. I do not mention this to brag, but to acknowledge that I appreciate the support and that I am proud of my accomplishments.
Today I received another such letter from a woman who is working on a campaign with the superintendent of her former high school regarding books that have been brought before the school board to be banned.
The current book that is up for discussion is Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, among others. I had covered that book last September and her research led her to my website.
She explained that she found my column a great help in organizing her thoughts and a valuable resource- so much so that she passed along the information to the superintendent in hopes that “these books will be free to inspire young minds and help them in what I believe is the most tumultuous time of a young adult’s life.”
She concluded her sincere remarks by stating that “perhaps I’ve gone on a tangent here but I really wanted to thank you.”
Kayla, I would say to you that you haven’t said nearly enough and that I hope your voice is heard in your former school system. I am the one thanking you. We are each of us a drop of water, but together we can wash away the fear and ignorance of the world.
The ripples have begun. In time it shall become a tidal wave.
© 2014 R. Wolf Baldassarro/Deep Forest Productions
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