Free Obama E-Book, Part 3 Author Interview: "Why Write?"
Posted: Sunday, December 14, 2008
by Walter Rhett
Charleston Perlo
Q: What prompted you to write the e-book?
Wr: I had been blogging heavily, daily, since June; challenging illogical ideas and citing the plain falsehoods that persisted across the net. I relentlessly read papers in Los Angeles, Seattle, Denver, Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, St. Louis, Chicago, Jackson, MS, Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, New York, Boston, day and night. My style is to open the conversation, especially if we have differences. But I'll chide you if I think I have better evidence; I'll point out what's missing or overlooked in your assertions. I also listen. I wondered why the bitter conflicts contrasted with the pure joy of Obama supporters, and I found the answers, I think, in history. The book shares the historical insights that developed from the open conversation.
Wr: Yes. The Wall Street Journal had a op-ed article after the election that captured the book's concept from a different direction. An AP reporter, writing about racial incidents following Barack's victory, quotes an official at the Southern Poverty Law Center who hits the mark. The author Wila Cather noted the book's main concept-in the book, I call it legacy--decades ago. She cited, "the immemorial human attitudes which we recognize by instinct as universal and true." But surprisingly, few media people searched deep enough or thought hard enough to uncover the American legacy of change.They also ignored the tons of historic examples and parallels about the resistance to change. I simply use Charleston examples, because of Barack's remark.
Q: What should a reader take away from the e-book?
Wr: Wonder and ponder! Its multi-media book; a table top book on the desk top. The pictures are mostly without captions so the reader can ponder his or her own story line, make their own observations, draw their own insights, discuss their points of view. The text has story after story to give a sense of place to the actions we witnessed on Barack's way to victory. And the text is also good history, of incidents unknown and not woven into our story. The text reaches out to include our differences. In this way, it mirrors the values of Barack's campaign and style of governing.
Q: What's an intriguing example you cite from history?
Wr: The story of another "president," Robert Purvis, the president of the underground railroad. He helped more than 9,000 slaves gain freedom. Harriet Tubman, who is better known, and who spent much of the civil war in Hilton Head, SC as a nurse, scout, and spy. She leads approximately 500 slaves to freedom.
Purvis was born in Charleston. His mother was Moroccan, freed, and half-Jewish. His father was an older Englishman who made money as a cotton factor. His parents married in Charleston, moved to Philadelphia, where Purvis became a legendary figure in the abolitionist movement and became known as the president of the underground railroad.
Q: How can people download the e-book? Wr: The download requires an direct access code. Q:Is it appropriate to pass the link on? Wr: Yes. Please! Send it to all your friends! Give it as gifts. Free e-book, "From the Front Porches of Charleston:" The Election of Barack Obama, http:www.lulu.com/content/5282127
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)hi walter,this was a well written, interesting article. the information sounds like a good read. thanks for sharing with us,best regards,sue thom
"The American legacy of change". Quite frankly what change? He certenly hasn't changed his positions on anything. His record speaks to itself. He is and will be and for now an ultra liberal not a centrist. So why go on? The truth is there as to who he is, but the only thing we did change that I will agree with you on is we elected a man of both races, who society says is black by nature of the father. Respectfully.Bob, I love your passion. But look at the picks: former head of NATO, leading experience in multi-lateral security concerns and terrorism, national security advisor. Can you think of anyone better? A border state governor, ex-state attorney general, ex US attorney, a tough prosecutor, knows the issues from the state side, had to veto her Republican legislature over a 100 times to hold the line of spending. Is that pick "ultra-" liberal? Wild? Incompetent? A former Secretary of the Army who actually got called down because he predicted the need for a surge before it actually happened, a decorated combat leader, head of Veteran's Affairs? "Ultra-"? You may hear it in his words, but honestly, upon close inspection, I just don't see it in his approach to governing. As he said, there's a time to campaign, and a time to govern. Even his meeting with the state's governors, the first ever, in which he targets monies for states to manage for their own priorities--that a return to state's rights (albeit, at federal expense!) Change doesn't imply radical, nor does it have to be defined as such--unless you create a definition that excludes other degrees. One change is the return of elected officials to high administrative positions in federa service. People who have listened to Americans, run for office, felt the public pulse are now in cabinet positions, rather than bureaucrats who implemented ideology rather than public policy. Get off the past: look at now. Give me your critique of the cabinet picks, his policy targets, in the here and now--not past or speculation about the future.Walter, "he said, there's a time to campaign, and a time to govern". I'm confused, just what does that say, really? Is it the Easter Bunny while campaigning but once one gets elected you can be something else? Well sadly I think he is right, I call it the Easter Bunny, and professing, mere words. Hey it got him elected and that says enough. Also you are correct. I do hold a passion like yourself. I respect our differences and I am truly open, at least I hope I am. So I can agree with you on that and I must admit there are some appointments, like you just stated I agree with. In that regard you may be right and time will tell. Perhaps the office does make one change? Time will bring the proof. Yet, I would ask you to consider the premise I always put forth in my work, which quite simply is, birds of a feather. The same ideologies and goals regardless of state, national or even local leadership or people. The World in all they speak about followed by America. Reality sure, but it should be America first. In my opinion there was change. and it was ever so subtle, yet I believe it is not the change average Americans were expecting or want. None the less significant change. Yes, a very quiet transition really quite evident to educated people like yourself. Yes I agree not radical but change. I respect your writings and qualifications and you make some really good points. However, where the tire meets the road, sorry, I do not see it evidenced by personal experience or deeds. Speaker, orator, no doubt few can touch him. Other then that I will say I am also hoping I am wrong and he is who you say he will be because God knows I would hope he can do something and now. Respectfully, Robert.
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