Another Inspiring Story – Terarai Trent
By Rummuser. Filed in People |Tags: African lady, Nicholas Christof, Terarai Trent
If it was Krishnan as an unsung hero yesterday, it is an African lady of indomitable spirit who is my inspiration today. This blog post will not do as much justice to this lady as Nicholas Christof can and so, I leave my readers to read for themselves.
Wednesday, November 18th 2009 at 16:06 |
Ramana, clearly a subject close to your heart. Let’s celebrate those amongst us who are indefatigable and inspire hope, quietly, unassumingly, without any expectation of reward or their fifteen minutes (make that seconds in your average news broadcast) of fame.
Ashok called me cynical; I think ‘sceptical’ might be more accurate: I don’t like the juxtaposition of a shiny, nay gleaming (judging by his photograph), Western journalist milking a sad and true life’s story for all it is worth. What’s his point, the purpose? Will he give the object of his attention half of the fee based on the word count of this article? Will he help her personally by letting her into his own, no doubt considerable, social network? Please don’t get me wrong: I am not knocking our attention being drawn to anyone’s plight. However, I do resent that peculiarly American cloying of what is essentially a sad state of affairs. You might say that this particular journalist has made us aware: He hasn’t. All he has done is made us smug and self satisfied at even reading the article and having a brief, self congratulatory moment of what I call the “Mother Theresa” effect.
May I stress the first paragraph of what I said. The rest of my post is self indulgent embellishment.
U
Rummuser Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 21:18
Ursula, I have had a rather successful life without really trying and am always amazed at people who succeed with a great deal of effort, struggle and often despite very adverse conditions. I am a softy for such stories and share them with whoever is willing to listen. Since most of my readership is captive audience, I post blogs about them too.
I quite see your skepticism for it is and it is difficult not to agree with you. Nicholas has told a story. I reacted one way and you in another. Thathaasthu!
I enjoyed your first paragraph and since I seem to have provoked different reactions, I am more than satisfied.
Wednesday, November 18th 2009 at 19:21 |
What a great story! And it even has a happy ending!
Rummuser Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 21:12
Thank you.
Wednesday, November 18th 2009 at 20:24 |
Thank you for bringing Terarai to our attention. I am sure her children were able to gain a foothold on the education ladder thanks to her efforts and hard work. A wonderful Lady!
Rummuser Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 21:12
I found inspiration in the story.
Wednesday, November 18th 2009 at 21:34 |
Why do you write about people? I have just been reading some of your back posts and find that you seem to be fascinated by people of all sorts and their problems. Can you not find other subjects?
Bunc Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 00:35
Murphy – Maybe Rum is just a people person kind of guy. I tend to blog issues and ideas but it is refreshing to read something more people oriented and I often think to myself that I should drop in some stuff like that to my onw blog now and then – of course I never get round to it. The joy of blogs surely is that everyone has their own take on it.
Rummuser Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 20:10
It just so happens Murphy that I keep coming across all sorts of people and stories about them and I find the experiences of meeting them as well as reading about them fascinating and wish to share with my friends. I do write about non people issues, but you really cannot write about anything without getting people involved. Do you blog? If you do, I would very much like to visit, as I am sure, many of my readers would like to too.
Thursday, November 19th 2009 at 01:09 |
It is refreshing to get a bit of good news with a happy ending. Although it’s not the end. She will most likely go on to do more amazing things with her life. Thanks for for your ray of sunshine on a cloudy day.
Rummuser Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 20:08
My pleasure Brighid.
Thursday, November 19th 2009 at 12:22 |
Very interesting. Thanks Ramanaji. She is a great woman!
Rummuser Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 20:03
My pleasure.
Thursday, November 19th 2009 at 21:01 |
That certainly is a get-up-and-go story that is getting me up to go this morning.
Rummuser Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 11:40
That is the spirit. When do you start your bicycling again?