How can I change your mind?

First of all I'd like for you to know I'm officially in the hundreds in my page count of reading this book. Wow, I'm a slower reader but I truly am into this book.  I hope I don't loose interest around 355, I usually stop reading at the last stretch of a book and pick it up three years later. Since we are reading this together I'm sure I'll finish :).

So as I'm reading this book I find myself laughing but really reflecting on my experiences and how to change the future. I specifically began thinking of my time in college in a small town in Tennessee.  It was a Christian liberal arts school and its a great school for a well rounded education within certain safe boundaries.  My experience with my friends are the biggest memories of my schooling which for many people it is.  I feel like my experience was in some ways unique.  Most of my close friends were white.  Most from the South and I was a few of their first black friend.  Yup in the 2000s I was black friend number one. 

You can imagine how sometimes it was awkward because I became all knowing powerful one of black people culture.  That's so funny because I've been made fun of for being "white." Ohhh world!  My feelings were often hurt because of misunderstandings or people's inner conflicts.  Years later I learned that a few of my friends were taught that they were better than black people. Well that explains much of it.  You are friends with someone who you were told was not as good as you and now you have a conflict.  That's real deep and I understand.  We all remain good friends to this day but I sometimes wonder did I do enough to change their minds.  I didn't graduate with honors, did that prove they are better?  I didn't go on to be something great and making all kinds of money and things like that.  However, I continue to love, I continue to forgive and I continue to be thankful for the friendships God has given me in all the shades they have come.  I do think that minds have been changed for the better.  Maybe not completely but for the better.

For the generations after me, whether I have children or not, I wonder how I can influence them to know that we are not our skin, our hair, or our money.  How do I let them know that they should value the begger on the street just as much as they value our Presidents or super stars w the cash?  I'm kind of thinking it starts with showing them that they are valued.  That their value is not on the outside but on the inside.  In the book Aibileen whispered to Mae Mobley everyday, you're a good girl, you're a smart girl.  Maybe that will change her life. I don't know because I haven't finished the book but maybe I'll try it with some of the kids I volunteer with.  Affirmations, God's love may just change someone's mind for the good.

Those are my thoughts for the day...well this entry at least.

Sucked in

Oh my gosh friends, I love this book.  I don't think I loved a book this much since The Secret Life of Bees which I read in 2005.  I'm really enjoying the way these women talk especially the black women.  Its just so funny.  One thing I am learning is how things are passed down through generations and cultures. Many of the descriptions of what the maids did like how they clean and cook I see in how my family cleans and cooks.  We never double dip or taste our food with a spoon our mouths already touched for example.  Its not because we don't want to contaminate the white people's food because that's not our current reality.  We do it probably because at one point we did have maids in the family and what they did at their jobs they came home and did it there too and it passed down.  Not to say that things are not added or subtracted over the years like I have never seen Crisco in my house but that's bc my mom doesn't fry food. Honestly I don't clean everyday, my mom does though.

That's just an observation.  I challenge you to compare your experiences while you read.  Also pick up some good one liners.  I feel like my Twitter will be full of one liner smart comments based on some of Minny's statements.  I'm a quiet smart mouth if you don't know.

First book

Our first summer book is The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  This book will suck you in so clear your calendar if you are going to start it! 

Feel free to post or leave a comment and start a discussion, but don't give too much away in case you are ahead of someone else.  I guess we'll figure out a deadline date by which we can talk about the whole book and choose a new one to read together.

Have fun!