The first gloomy grey day of spring break I decided to go over to my best friends house to visit for a while before I left for a sunny getaway to see my sister at the University of Arizona. We were sitting on the floor in her small bedroom listening to the rain hit her roof and chatting, whilst drinking a large cup of coffee, per usual. I had mentioned to her I wanted a good book to read before I left so I could read it in the airport and by the pool. Rachel said to take a look at her bookshelf and I could borrow whatever looked interesting to me. As I browsed around one caught my eye simply because of the color; bright yellow with purple text. Since this is considered to be a happy color I assumed it would be a light read and a good vacation book, as it turns out, it was so much more.
The book I chose was “The Help,” by Kathryn Stockett. I had no understanding of what this book was or what it was about. I read the first page when I was sitting in PDX drinking a Starbucks coffee watching planes come in hoping each one was the one I was getting on. It was one of those books that are instantly intriguing. I was hooked immediately. I continued to read while we waited for our plane. Once we arrived arrived to Tucson I was about 30 pages in. I remember thinking “this author tells a story so well.” The book shifts narrator almost every chapter so the reader can get every characters perspective. I loved that because I could understand how each character truly felt. The point of views switched from “the help,” or the maids to the white women who employed them. I felt very ignorant as I read along because I had never really thought of this time, and I truly realized how strong racism was.
As I read by the pool in the strong heat I realized how fortunate I was. I was on vacation in a great place with the most loving family. I hated that in this story people didn’t have enough money to eat or do laundry, things I often took for granted. This story truly made my heart hurt that people were struggling so hard and then went to work and were so disrespected. I then began to question how the white people in the story were so hateful toward their staff. I then made a promise to myself if I have the opportunity to help someone in need, or be kind to someone, that I would.
I continued to read until I finished. I sat by the pool, forehead sweating from the heat, just laying there thinking about moments I read about. After I was completely sunburnt I remember going back up to the room to my parents and thanking them for taking me on the trip and everything they had done for me. My mom told me I was very privileged and I had actually realized what that truly meant. I then texted my friend who lent me the book and thanked her for the book and the new perspective.
Thanks
–
LGBTI News