Reading Log #1

     Kathryn Stockett addresses my big question, "How do we accept the unfamiliar?" in her book The Help by looking at the lives of black and white women in the American south in the 1960's. It's the story of a aspiring young journalist who encourages the black help to tell their story. What she realizes is that there is not that much that separates them. Once she was willing to open her mind and put aside the prejudices that were so much a part of her life, she could see that black women for who they were. As women, they all struggled with similar issues. She realizes the collective strength in telling their story and it's through the telling of their story that they have the courage to change their world.
     This book helped me better understand that being afraid of the unfamiliar is universal. It helped me realize that letting go of fear and being open-minded opens up undreamed of possibilities. I learned that sharing my struggles with others helps overcome fear and makes it possible to do things together that we can't do alone. I would highly recommend this book because it makes you laugh and cry and gives you hope that when we are open to the unfamiliar, we can change our world.