September 22, 2009
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Birthdays, Births and Mockingbirds
At the emotional climax of Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”, a well-liked African-American laborer named Tom Robinson sits in a courtroom in Maycomb, Alabama, falsely and cynically accused of raping a white woman. Tom’s attorney, Atticus Finch, implores the jury to find Tom innocent of the crime. As he speaks of the racial prejudices that taint the minds of his fellow men “in this year of grace, 1935,” Finch reminds his jury of Thomas Jefferson’s words: “All men are created equal.”
In 1935, as Finch is soon reminded, those words remained hollow, even within the sacred forum of a court of law. Yet Jefferson’s words linger in our ears today, their compact expression of an ideal reverberating ever louder.
In 2004, in a speech at the Democratic National Convention that would put his name suddenly in the national spotlight, the junior senator from Illinois, Barack Obama, intoned Jefferson’s words. He cited them again in a pivotal speech last June in Independence, Missouri, addressing questions of patriotism that had threatened to swamp his campaign for president.
Now, we find ourselves living in a country where those words have taken on new prescience. Barack Obama sits in the White House as America’s first African-American president. For that reason alone, “To Kill a Mockingbird” is worth revisiting, if only to remind us how recently such blatant inequality was an ingrained part of our culture, how fresh some wounds remain — and yet how far we’ve come. Read more…
And so, this weekend, I did revisit that infamous story, known so well to every American high school student. I’d forgotten the power of Lee’s potent words as intoned by Atticus Finch; and I was reminded, in light of a recent spate of bad behavior, that we still have a long way to go. The play was great though, and Donna, who was in town for the weekend from Portland, celebrated her 52nd birthday in grand style:
That’s Mica’s acting teacher in the lead role, supported by some amazing child actors!
The cast of “To Kill a Mockingbird”
Donna’s birthday dinner at Marco’s
Also, congratulations to Franky and Isabela on the birth of their new baby boy, Caleb. My little buddy Colin is going to make a great big brother!!
Comments (23)
wow donna doesnt look like she is 52…very young!! and malaysia too 52yrs old =p colin is cute :)
Wow, that play looks interesting. Having read the book last year, that’s probably the only play I’d be interested in seeing right now, haha. I typically don’t want to see any play.
The baby is so cute!
I have always heard great opinions on the book but I have never got an opportunity to read it.
Holy snap, Donna looks like she could be 25!!!! :D
Oh by the way, read To Kill A Mockingbird last year for english lit. amazing. Loved it. Oh btw, do you know what “ornry” means? My friend says its an American word?
My sister’s going to Vegas babyy to become a Yoga teacher! Jealous much, I sooo wanna go! I’m trying to beat her to the pulp with American lingo before she leaves :P
@lcfu - Donna will be glad to know she looks younger than Malaysia! Thanks!
@pxlspy01 - I know of a few plays I think you would like CJ. I’ll take you some time!@Dezinerdreams - It’s an American classic. There’s also a very famous Gregory Peck. Check it out! It’s free on Netflix online! @Loltothepower - Wow! She’s moving to Vegas? That’s awesome. You’re coming to visit right? Vegas isn’t far from LA, so we’ll look forward to your visit to The H.C.! The word you’re thinking of is actually spelled “ornery” and can be pronounced either “awnry” or “orner-ee”. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ornery
@CareyGLY - Haha, deal, sir!
mockingbird is one of my all time fave books and movies – both were superb. congrats to old and new – the pic of big bro with his new brothr is precious. peace, Al
@pukemeister - Thanks! It’s a classic!
To Kill A Mockingbird is a classic and it should be revisited by every student, in and out of school going through an education of simple justice without prejudice.
@ZSA_MD - I agree! I hope they still make kids read it!! :)
never really got to read that book back in high school, nor did i finish Monster
52? no way… she must have some Asian blood in her.
I guess the message of the book continues to be very timely.
Colin looks so cute and adorable. I’m sure he’ll be a wonderful brother. Gosh – I’m getting a bit teary eyed just looking at him and his baby brother.
@mr_faust - No time like the present!
@ElusiveWords - I’m sure that comment will make Donna laugh.
Thanks…if I’m ever having a bad day, I just have to look at pictures of Colin, he’s the light of my life!
Hmm… Maybe I should pick up the book and re-read it once again. Wonderful pictures of loving families and friends.
@BloodxFest - Thanks! I need to read it again too…it’s been ages!
Donna sure looks really young beyond her real age! Any secret potion she takes daily? And Congrats to your friends’ new baby, so cute! Is that Gregory Peck in the “Mocking Bird” movie?
@CurryPuffy - Thanks Gary. Yep, Gregory Peck starred in the movie. You can watch in online at Netflix for free. It’s good!
Amazing, amazing pictures!! Love the picture of little Colin hugging his new sibling!
@free2chuze - Thanks! Colin is really a cutie pie!!
If you haven’t also read these books, I strongly suggest you pick up The Alchemist (Paolo Coelho) and The Five People you Meet in Heaven (Mitch Albom). Two of the few books that I can say guided me through life
@fickleboy - Thanks! I may have to join your book club!
@CareyGLY – hmmm I dernoooo my book club is pretty demanding. You’ll have a few series and trilogies to slave through ~_^ haha
@fickleboy - It would be my pleasure dear!