Weekend America

Letters

Letters: Kites, Narcs Gone Bad

Millie Jefferson

JULY 5, 2008

Centipede kite

(Krissy Clark)

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Weekend America listeners loved the fabulous kites of Mr. Tyrus Wong, were divided on our "Turncoat Narc" and empathized with John Moe's inability to enjoy certain movies because of his own personal and painful past experiences. We've printed up a sampling of the feedback we got on all of these stories. We enjoy hearing from all our listeners and look for to reading more of your letters.

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I loved the story about Mr. Wong's kites. It brought me back to the most empowering experience of my life as single mother of a 5 yr. old son 2 decades ago. Buying, putting together and getting a kite into the air gave me faith that I could do anything. The story and anytime I see a kite in the air brings back that feeling. Thank you!

Luann Sweeney
Randolph, Mass.

***

Regardless of how one feels on the legalization issue, this is classic civil disobedience. He's breaking a law that he feels is unjust. That's what people were doing in the 60's when they sat at segregated lunch counters. Pro-choice people did it with the Jane network.

Given the injustices he inflicted on people, by his own admission, I find his turnaround fascinating.

Marcia Bryant
Cleveland, Ohio

***

The number of comments posted here related to legalization of marijuana is really disturbing. Not that there's anything wrong with the position, but because the story had nothing to do with legalization.

Mr. Cooper's story is about a man who is aiding criminals - whether or not these people ought to be classified as such is not the point. We don't break laws just because we find them inconvenient or distasteful.

Please listen for what is and is not being said. Careful, your bias is showing.

Cullen Tanner
Andover, Minn.

***

I thank John Moe for describing his personal story, and how it has caused him to look at the world differently. We are all enriched when someone is willing to share such intimate and personal experiences and feelings.

That said, I can't help but reflect on the fact that his "enlightenment" came only after his personal life was deeply impacted by the two events he recounts for us. Would Mr. Moe need to have a child with autism before he would be sensitive to my youngest child, whose quirky behavior sets him apart from others his age? Would he need to spend time paralyzed in a wheelchair before he appreciates the accomplishments of a very impressive young woman I know who recently earned her PhD? Would he need 20 different surgeries to think differently about another young woman I met whose birth defects necessitated those many medical interventions?

Why is it so hard for us to be empathetic to the struggles of others until we have been personally impacted?

And yet, I am hopeful for the future.

I am hopeful every time I see one of my son's "regular" classmates help him out playing kickball at the park.

I am hopeful every time I see the grace and dedication of the "regular" middle school kids and high school kids who volunteer to be one-on-one buddies to our local TOPS Soccer Team (the Outreach Program for Soccer, a national youth soccer program for kids with special needs).

Perhaps, just perhaps, we can look forward to the time when the idea "different" no longer means "target".

For my son's sake, and for Mr. Moe's daughter's sake, we can only hope.

Michael Verderame
Hershey, PA

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