posted
I never buy "O" magazine. I've always thought it was rather funny that Oprah posed to be on the cover of her own magazine every month. But the taglines on the cover of the February issue had me carrying a purchased copy out to my car tonight.
In an article called Postcards from the Edge, there were several letters from Congolese women who have suffered acts of sexual cruelty during the insurgent raids. Evidently, Oprah had encouraged readers and fans of her show to send cards and letters to these African women, encouraging them to speak out about their experiences. There are many more letters at the above link.
I've read about these terrible occurences before, but these letters, personal accounts...they really moved me. One woman wrote:
quote:I have never told these things to anyone. This is the first time I found someone who is sincerely interested in me. It is one thing to have been through what I have been through, but to have no one acknowledge it enhances that pain threefold. Your willingness to recognize my humanity has given voice to my distress and meaning to my pain. And it has dared me to hope -- of having a house, of living in peace, of reclaiming my dynamism and dignity.
This women is the former director of a school that was reduced to homelessness, and complete abandonment by her family because of the sexual crimes commited against her. Of course, she is one of many many more.
posted
I agree, fabulous post. I didn't respond here because, well, to be honest, I get too upset sometimes, and I'm a little fragile right now, so I'm avoiding stuff like this right now. That's it.
Thanks for bringing this up. It's important.
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
Hmm. Narnia, Rabbit arranged a Hatrack donation for the tsunami. Maybe the women(and men) of Hatrack could take turns sending the money each month. I would say I would arrange it, but the fact is I am terrible at organizing things like that.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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posted
I too am organizationally impaired. I think it's a cool thought, but I'm afraid that whomever organized it would be stuck with too much responsibility every month...I don't know, what do you guys think?
I'm going to try to do something on my own though. Like I said, reading these letters has really affected me
Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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posted
I'm exploring this site a little more and it's pretty awesome. You can sponsor women from Afghanistan, Bosnia, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Kosovo, Nigeria, and Rwanda. You can also make donations, send for brochures to distribute, or receive help in organizing your own womenforwomen.org fundraiser.
I'm surrounded by all of these senior girls and guys that are each strapped with a massive senior project that they need to graduate. This is where I'm going to point ALL of them, it's something that seems to be well organized and easy to take part in.
Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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posted
I watched the episode of Oprah where Lisa Ling had actually gone into the Congo to talk to the women. It was a very moving episode to see their faces and hear them talk about their experiences. I would recommend trying to find a way to see it if you are interested. However, keep in mind that I don't think a lot of the information about what happened was "softened," so it's not for children or weak-hearted.
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But the taglines on the cover of the February issue had me carrying a purchased copy out to my car tonight. 
