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Chinks in the Wall
NMB, Florida February 8, 2002 A.H. Schectman
THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on Issues, Ideas and Reflections on the Times. Published Now and
Then. Opinions Pro or Con Are Welcome.
CHINKS IN THE WALL
The City of Chicago is following the example of a few other cities in
inviting all its citizens read a story twice a year and think about what
that story has to say to them. This is a voluntary opportunity and in a way
is reflective of the good works performed by Oprah when she puts her
imprimatur on a title. So many people go out and get the book to read it
because a good person suggests it.
I remember a story by Erskin Caldwell from the early 30's called "Tobacco
Road". This was a tale about some good old boys that lived in poverty and
ignorance in a rural slum. Some of these GOBs would gather to drink behind
an old wooden wall equipped with time worn "chinks" through which one was
afforded a special glimpse of a unique sliver of world. No where else was
there such an opening through which this view could be had. And, as the day
winds down, the sight is changed as the light sparkles first with rich color
and then dwindles to feeble shades of former brightness. They would drink
and take turns looking and feel full of the wonder and glory at the world
seen through a small window.
Books are like that. We get to see the special sight possessed by gifted
individuals who because they are not us get us to expand our "take" of the
world. A new book, a different world. We are gifted by each new author and
are given a new chance to expand ourselves and to grow. We get to see a
bigger world than that in that old wall with chinks to let light through.
It is mind-boggling to think that there are some people who are able to
persuade city fathers and a vast group of non-readers who inhabit a place to
engage upon such an enterprise. Most people simply do not read nor care to.
They are like the people who own miraculous machines of communication and do
not use all their capabilities. Simply owning them is sufficient and the
ability to say - hey, you know what? I got 68 e-mails today. Wow, isn't
that wonderful? Little stories are told in these messages to people who are
glad to get them but pay little or no attention. These are little chinks in
the wall that open to let light in and we see them, or not.
Carol's Evaluation: 10 out of 10.
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