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8th April 2006

The Power of One

posted in globalvoices, movies |

Just finished watching “The Power of One” for the first time. Wow. An incredible film, but memorable most for the tragic and ongoing story of hatred and racism– and the struggles against those foes– which it portays and reveals.

I have read “Covenant” by James Michener as well as “Cry, the Beloved Country” by Alan Paton, but had not read “Power of One” by Bryce Courtenay. I think I’ll add it to my list of future reading. I have never traveled to South Africa. Never been to Africa at all, actually. Some day I would like to. The open wounds caused by racial hatreds may seem more open there than in other places, but sadly the same specters of misunderstandings and yes, hatred, populate the streets of our nation as well as those of every other country on the planet to varying degrees I expect.

It is incredible to realize that Nelson Mandela was imprisoned in South Africa from 1962 until 1990. The sacrifices made by real heroes, for causes like freedom, human rights, human dignity, and self determination, make the fictional heroes we tend to focus more on in the theater and on home DVDs pale in comparison.

I am very passionate about advancing the cause of universal literacy, both in our nation and across the globe. But that cause is but a part of the greater struggle to which I believe we are called. The racism, bigotry, ethnocentrism, and hatred for others which sadly goes on in my hometown as well as across our globe must be opposed and stopped.

Ultimately, the best way to fight these shameful diseases is through education and interpersonal relationships. Through conversation. When we know each other as human beings, as brothers and sisters, I think it is much more difficult for us to hate each other. This is the same cause Eva Hance, survivor of the Dachau Concentration Camp, spoke of so passionately here in Lubbock just a few weeks ago. We must reject “the hate.” It is only through love, and understanding of one another, that we can avoid repeating the terrible mistakes of the past that continue in the present.

I highly recommend the movie “The Power of One” if you have not seen it previously. Acting alone, our voice may not carry beyond the room in which we speak. Acting together and in concert, we can change the world. We can open the door.

On this day..

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 8th, 2006 at 10:33 pm and is filed under globalvoices, movies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

There are currently 2 responses to “The Power of One”

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  1. 1 On April 9th, 2006, Miguel Guhlin said:

    Wow, Wes, this is one of my favorite movies of all time!!! I love the story and once, showed it (with approval from the office) to my sixth grade class of students…of course, it grabbed ‘em. I even had the book and read it…unfortunately, I haven’t seen the movie or read the book in years. I’ll have to add it to my Netflix account. Thanks for the reminder!

    Miguel

  2. 2 On April 10th, 2006, astephens said:

    Wes,

    I have not seen the movie. It is in my Netflix list, but I have read the book. I am a big fan and would highly recommend reading it!

    Angela