"A long way gone," but hitting home in this Starbucks nation
As I was ordering my tall skim latte two weeks ago at Starbucks, my eyes -- always looking for something new -- wandered to their CD collection and its latest contribution to the greater global good, a new book called A Long Way Gone, Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah. I picked it up and started reading, then immediately had to buy it. It was certainly a long way from this Starbucks on Park Avenue to this young boy's tragic story in Sierra Leone during that country's civil war in the 1990s.
When Ishmael was 12, his family and town were decimated by rebel forces. Ishmael got away and for a year he wandered and witnessed the most atrocious acts that continue to haunt his every waking moment. At 13, he was picked up and made to be one of them -- the rebel attackers. What followed was hell on earth that seems unimaginable to most of us, and unthinkable when you look at your own kids and all they are so fortunate to have. Ishmael learned to kill, and he learned to laugh at the bloodied bodies he would then stomp on with the other kids-- all brainwashed. But Ishmael was one of the lucky ones because he was rescued by UNICEF in 1998. He was sent here to the U.S. and after a lot of rehabilitation and learning how to forgive himself, he was able to go on and graduate high school and in 2004 he graduated from Oberlin College.
The memoir opens with what could be a typical scene at any high school, though this one in NYC and the conversation is disturbing. Ishmael's friends ask him why he had to leave Sierra Leone. He says simply, because there is war. They ask, did you witness some of the fighting. He says everyone did. They press on, you mean you saw people running around with guns and shooting each other? He says, yes, all the time. To which his friends reply, "Cool." Teenagers, perhaps, but they could not know at the time all that he did to survive, to be able to be in the hallways of a New York city high school. What a faraway land that war seemed... and to this day according to UNICEF there are still an estimated 300,000 child soldiers in the more than 50 conflicts around the world. But that war in Sierra Leone, brought to your and my nearest Starbucks where $2 dollars of each book purchase will go to UNICEF -- which saved Ishmael's and so many other young children's lives.
Coincidentally, as I am now midway through the book, last week I read an article about it in the New York Times (March 10) and was glad to learn it has had great success in sales and Ishmael Beah is generating so much buzz. Perhaps it was a risky choice for Starbucks, but it proves perhaps we are hungering for more depth and a greater understanding of what is happening around the world.
I can only imagine what the once boy soldier must now think when he sees people buying their lattes or cappuccinos and a copy of his memoir -- thankfully, he has come a long long way.
Comments
I go to the UN School, where he went. Apparently the administration was reluctant to take him because of his past, but turned out really glad they did. It's interesting to hear about it from the teachers who knew him!
Natalie,
This morning's news included coverage of the anti-war protesters who marched in Washington, but there was no mention of the thousands who came to stand in solidarity with our troops and the administration. In the eyes of NBC, don't we count?
The media reports that we are a nation divided on this issue, then proceeds to cover only one side of the story.
There's a significant body of evidence to support the Zogby Poll released on March 14, 2007, which found that 83% of likely voters believe that the media is biased.
Also reported by Zogby...American voters remain skeptical of major news outlets diving in to the blog pool...believing that blogs give news organizations a chance to promote a political agenda they could not promote in regular broadcasts.
It's something for all journalists to keep in mind, as it is on the minds of many viewers.
One of the admirable things about Meredith Vieira's blog is that she prints both pro and con comments. Here's hoping you'll be as fair.
Thank you.
Natalie,
This morning's news included coverage of the anti-war protesters who marched in Washington, but there was no mention of the thousands who came to stand in solidarity with our troops and the administration. In the eyes of NBC, don't we count?
The media reports that we are a nation divided on this issue, then proceeds to cover only one side of the story.
There's a significant body of evidence to support the Zogby Poll released on March 14, 2007, which found that 83% of likely voters believe that the media is biased.
Also reported by Zogby..American voters remain skeptical of major news outlets diving in to the blog pool..believing that blogs give news organizations a chance to promote a political agenda they could not promote in regular broadcasts.
It's something for all journalists to keep in mind, as it is on the minds of many viewers.
One of the admirable things about Meredith Vieira's blog is that she prints both pro and con comments. Here's hoping you'll be as fair.
Thank you.
Hey Natalie,
Iâm the Meteorologist for the NBC Affiliate in Buffalo (WGRZ Ch2) and of course we watch the Today Show each morning while we eat lunch⦠yeah I said lunch. I am writing to find out who makes light blue coat you were sporting this morning (Thurs 3/22). It looked great on air! No itâs not for me⦠hahaha but Iâd love to get it for my girlfriend. If you would be so kind to reveal the label and where you might have picked it up, it would truly brighten my day!
Thanks so much for the laughs in the AM!
Andy
Andy Parker
Meteorologist
WGRZ-TV NBC2
Buffalo, NY
andy.parker@wgrz.com
Natalie Morales hello, I am a 25 year old man, in southern Australia, where Today airs daily from 4 - 6 AM I usually watch for half an hour around 5 am, and I just love the show havebeen watching for four years. I just looked up today on wikipedia and learned you have a blog, very nice, and I found out how old you are, may I say you look like 29 at the oldest, you're extraordinarily hot may I be so bold as to say. I love the show, and good luck with the blog I will be back.
I sometimes watch the show from 10-11 a.m. and am disappointed in your interviewing techniques. Many times you are either talking over, or interrupting the expert discussing the topic and therefore, information is missed. I watched Al Roker this morning during the food segment and thought maybe you should listen and learn from some that have more experience in interviewing. He was able to get the information while moving the segment along, and did it without interruption, or talking over the expert.
Ishmael was on the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer yesterday. A great story to hear(and read about). Natalie, I think you should get him on the Today Show he's a very bright and articulate person.
Daniel
It is despicable to see journalists whose fame and fortune are tied to Don Imus hammering away at those who are holding Imus accountable....attempting to secure REDEMPTION for Imus....because that redemption would:
1) boost their status in the eyes of Imus
2) give them an inside joke to laugh about when they resume their appearances on the Imus show
3) give them and fellow journalists reason to high five each other over drinks
4) loosen the standards by which they can continue to operate
What kind of fools do you take us for? It's insulting!
