I have a
daughter. She is among my greatest joys--smart, sunny and full of life. She is
also seventeen and eager to know what this great, wide world is all about, and
what her place in it will be.
And so I
cringe when I find her, yet again, watching reality TV--all those housewives
with their mean-spirited gossip and bitter self-absorption, all those dance
moms nursing their vicious, winner-take-all fights. Please, God, I implore, do
not let her think that this is what we grown women are, or wish to be. Please,
God, give her to know that there are kind, empathetic and creative women
abroad, women who think carefully and at length about the events of their
lives, who search for meaning and purpose and whose fondest hope is that they
might leave this world just a little better than they found it.
But is it
okay to leave it there, my most fervent wish for her offered up as a prayer?
I've dilly-dallied, postponed and procrastinated for years, but the fact is
there's only one answer I can, in good conscience, give, and that is no.
Emphatically no! The housewives and dance moms are "out there;" their
stories are getting told. And if I want my daughter to know that women's lives
can be better than those she sees on TV--more purposeful and productive and
full of grace--then it's up to me to tell her.
This,
then, is the long way of saying that I contributed to the Women's Writing
Circle Slants of Light anthology because I believe that storytelling matters.
When we tell our stories, we offer up the past in an effort to reshape the
future. We write so that we may share, and we share so that we may
teach--ourselves and those who follow along behind us.
Storytelling--telling
our own stories--is hard. It takes a lot of guts to come clean. But coming
clean is ultimately an act of generosity, and in some small way, revolt.
Here's to
all the beautiful women who told their stories for this book. It's been an
honor!
Jodi Monster is a writer living in Berwyn, PA. She is the author
of a memoir and several short stories and essays. Prior to settling in suburban
Philadelphia, she and her family lived in The Netherlands, Texas and Singapore.
She is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Chicago. Many of Jodi's stories, including the one in
this anthology, take place in an anonymous, seaside town in southern New
England because the landscape there, with all its drama and beauty, is the most
worthy backdrop she can imagine for the inherent drama and beauty of women's
lives.
5 comments:
I agree. I've got 3 daughters and I hate for them to be influenced by the fiction they witness on TV.
Writing, like parenting, takes guts. It's not for the faint of heart but the rewards are so worth it.
Jodi, I love this post. It highlights why many women want to write their stories.
To reveal women's lives as they truly are, not some mindless caricature dished out on TV that offers up all the wrong messages for young girls, truly is a great gift of generosity and grace. Your story in our anthology is a lyrical story, told in a very strong voice about fascinating and multi-faceted women.
Dear Jodi,
.....Your post speaks to the best in why storytelling remains important. Today's 'Reality tv' makes light of - trivializes and demeans - the truth of an authentic, purposeful life. Keep your daughter close and keep on writing, Jodi. Bravo!
Edda
Jodi,
Your post speaks to my heart. Yes, we are all enriched, enlightened and inspired when we allow ourselves to be brave and share our stories. And yes, speak with conviction to your daughter. Your story will matter as all the courageous stories in THE SLANT OF LIGHT anthology matter. Keep writing and sharing!
Kathy
Hi Jodi-
Navigating your way through parenthood isn't an easy task today especially with all of the reality junk on TV. Your strong voice is so valuable for your daughter and all women to hear. Hooray for telling your story of real women.
Candice
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