I can’t get this book out of my head:
I just finished it last night, and loved every part of it. Books written in dialect usually get on my nerves. I couldn’t finish On Beauty because of that little pet peeve of mine, but I was unfazed by it while reading this. In fact, the Aibileen and Minny chapters were some of my favorite. And, I’m so glad I wasn’t deterred by my list of supposed things that make great books in my stupid opinion, or things that make books “bad.” Because, I loved this lovely story. It was beautiful, infuriating, and awe-inspiring. The Help is about courage, and overcoming the perceived perception of what is right and wrong. Skeeter is a character that one should strive to become more like. And, although she was young, and a little naive at times, I loved every little thing about her.
When reading books about the segregated South, or Nazi Germany, or South Africa during Apartheid, I am constantly humbled by those that fought for their beliefs and strived to overcome the small mindedness and the absolute hate of the many. Because that’s what denying equality, or de-humanizing a sector of the population truly is. It’s Hate. Capital H. I so want to believe that if I lived during these eras, that I would be fighting for human rights, too.
We all want to believe the best in us. I know I do. But, it scares me to wonder if I would kowtow to popular belief. Or that I would deny what I truly believe in to appease others. I’d like to think I wouldn’t. But, then I’m reminded of the time when G, H, and I were driving home from their school. The sun was shining, and state elections were coming up. Prop 8 was a huge deal. As we were waiting to turn on to the freeway, a group of Prop 8 supporters were holding banners, and shouting at the cars passing by. Our windows were rolled down, and we could hear them yelling a variety of cutesy little phrases, “PROTECT OUR CHILDREN,” ”SAVE MARRIAGE,” and my favorite ”RESPECT FAMILIES.” I was pissed. Not just a little mad, but really mad. What are we protecting our children from? Two loving people that care enough about each other to commit their life together? How on earth does marriage equality detract from the power of marriage, anyway? Two men or two women getting married doesn’t devalue my marriage in any way. All it does is confirm that at this point in time I’m part of an exclusive sector. An exclusivity that I’m not proud of. So, I yelled back. I stuck my head out that window and I yelled to stop the hate, and then I yelled something so hippieish I was slightly ashamed, Equality Now. But I wasn’t ashamed I was yelling these things, I was ashamed that I was sadly reduced to clichés. G and H rode in the back with their mouths agape. We had a long discussion because of my actions, but I wasn’t ashamed about that either. And, although I fear that when the time comes I won’t stand up for my beliefs, I honestly know that’s not true. Because I did. And, I always will.
