Bowling for Columbine
September 11, 2003

Watch this movie. Right now. Whatever you are doing, if you haven't seen this film by Michael Moore, please go out and rent it immediately. (On the DVD, there is an additional section in which Moore talks about winning the Academy Award, as well.)

Last year (or was it two years ago?), I was flying home from a performance, sitting on a plane reading "Stupid White Men" by Michael Moore. There was a man in the seat next to me, and I could tell he was reading along over my shoulder. After awhile, I could feel that he was really getting angry. Finally, he asked me, "Why are you reading that book?" and I said to him softly and kindly, "Why are you so angry?" It was as if his anger was filling up the plane, it felt THAT threatening...or maybe it was because the armrest between us seemed incredibly small and of no use in protecting myself if he chose to punch me in the nose.

Thankfully, he started to laugh. He thought it was funny that I had figured out he was pissed off by the book. He told me he was insulted by the title; how dare some guy (..."and a white guy at that!" he exclaimed) write a book called "Stupid White Men". I asked him if he would be willing to buy a copy and read the book before he came to a conclusion. He replied he didn't need to read the book, he'd read enough sitting next to me. I told him that he was only getting a small portion of the big picture, and thus, he was reading out of context. Really, I said, I think you would enjoy what the book has to offer. It's a smart read.

He didn't want to hear it. The flight was over. I felt exhausted and drained, to some degree, in staying so calm and zen, and yet, I also felt very happy.
He exited as quickly as possible...The thing I remember the most is the smell of his brown leather jacket and the New Jersey accent...and the overwhelming
physical expansion of his rage. When I smell leather jackets now, I think
of that rage. I think of standing strong in a storm, even when I felt like shaking.

I feel thankful to Michael Moore, who may rub some folks the wrong way, because he is listening to a greater source and is convinced in pointing these abominations within our society out until we all are listening. He is right to point out human suffering. He is right to document what we, as human beings, will allow to occur within our human family.

My God. What will it take for us to make this world a beautiful, safe world?
Because, you know, the monster is here and the monster is us.

Speak out. Get involved. You matter. We all do. People across the seas matter.
There is a new song on BIG KID written by Brandon Jameyson...the chorus states simply that we are all pink on the inside.

We are all pink on the inside. Why can't we remember to look inside, where
our hearts extend blood and oxygen to our brains...

posted by Sara Hickman at 12:39 am
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