Books to read....

My room is an utter mess, littered with books, dvds, and comics that I haven't touched. Yet, whenever I think about this strewn-about treasure box of delights, my body fills with anticipation. So many great writers to experience, so many great artists to savor, and so many great films still left to view. Oh, and though occupying no physical space, my laptop is loaded to the brim with unheard music. Indeed, this unheard music is often sweeter, for my anticipation of delight sometimes fulfills my appetite for pleasure more than the actual experience. Such is what I currently feel about Alice Walker's "We Are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For," her recent nonfiction collection of speeches and essays dealing with the various activist issues that she has battled for all her life. I bought the book immediately after skimming her piece, "Crimes Against Dog." Wow, I thought, a brilliant piece of writing on Bob Marley. I've never read any serious writing on Marley before--especially not from a person who primarily writes on subjects generally not related to music or musicians--so I might as well purchase it. Now I realize that there is a problem with Ms. Alice Walker. Despite all of her willful and conscious attempt to better the world, she unfortunately smacks slightly of insincerity. She, on her high pedestal, ordains all of us to be better friends, parents, grandparents, lovers, and all around better people. Yet, she can't even manage to heed her own words when it comes to her relationship with her daughter. They seem to hate each other, constantly fighting each other in private and in public (ever since Walker's daughter revealed the truth of their relationship). Why does her own personal life matter? A vast majority of the power in her pieces dissipates the instant we realize that she doesn't heed her own language. We hear your words, Ms. Walker, but we listen to your actions, and right now, your actions betray your beautiful language.