Importance of PBS, Identity, & the Congo

🤔 Thought of the Week:

PBS is a treasure that impacted my childhood. Now, with the federal government rescinding its funding, the joy that many kids experience may have to come from somewhere else. PBS is necessary for a lot of reasons, and there are a lot of articles explaining its importance and why this move by Trump is similar to other countries that move away from democracy. I, however, am going to focus on a gem from PBS that impacted my life and made me the reader I am.

I am not sure how many people watched Butterfly in the Sky: The Story of Reading Rainbow documentary, but I did. It was a heartfelt journey back to my childhood and reminded me of one of the ways I fell in love with reading. The documentary explores the history of the show, why LeVar Burton was the man for the job as host, and the importance of public broadcasting, especially for children. We are in a digital age, and PBS offers a valuable alternative for families who may not have access to other resources. This documentary highlights that PBS was a place to provide educational opportunities by fostering a love for reading and learning. Public broadcasting strives to be neutral, thoughtful, and educational, offering programs that teach essential life skills and foster creativity, imagination, and exploration in children.

One of my takeaways is the idea that parents can bring the Reading Rainbow format into their homes. They can read with their children, watch related movies, and discuss the differences. They can ask their children about the book to help them think critically. Adults can nurture a child's love for reading. The documentary emphasized the importance of adults modeling and sharing their passion for books. Every time I visit my goddaughters, I take the time to read to them. With the oldest, I have started asking simple questions about the book. I truly believe that the parents aren't the only ones who can help nurture the love of reading. It is essential for communities to come together and bridge the gap for kids who don't have access to PBS Kids.

Butterfly in the Sky is a must-watch documentary. It celebrates the power of public broadcasting, the joy of reading, and the importance of Reading Rainbow. It's also a call to action to support and preserve these opportunities for future generations. It's a call to stand in the gap if these vital resources are taken from kids.

💻 What I've Consumed:

I'm trying to watch Breaking Bad. I have heard nothing but good things about the show, but it's not a genre I usually gravitate to. My watch history is a lot like my book taste; I tend to favor science fiction and fantasy. I do watch the usual American staples like cop shows, think Law & Order SVU, Castle, and Bones. I'm only an episode in and don't have much to say about it. My coworkers are telling me to watch season 1, and I'll be hooked, but that's like telling me to get through book one and I'll be hooked. The thought of 7 hours-plus of a show and not liking it is a lot, so I'll give it 3 to 4 episodes to hook me.

• The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

3.25⭐️. I haven't read many cozy, low-stakes fantasies, so I decided to give it a try. The story follows Tao, an immigrant fortune teller who ran away from home to avoid joining the Guild. Her life could be considered lonely, but she finds contentment in her independence. In her journey, Tao meets Silt, a reformed thief, and Mash, an ex-mercenary, who join her travels as they search for Mash's lost daughter. They are later accompanied by Kina, a baker's assistant, forming an unlikely group of companions.

The plot is minimal. Not much happens in this story, but I enjoyed reading about the growth of its characters and their evolving relationships. Each character brings some unique traits to the story: Tao is introverted, willing to be alone but not lonely, observant, and always willing to help; Mash is strong and gruff but deeply loving; Kina is reserved yet nurturing; and Silt, the group's comic relief, surprises with his depth of thought about identity. I wish the author had spent a little more time exploring the loss of language and identity faced by immigrants, particularly how some parents don't pass on their native language to their children, creating a sense of disconnection.

This is a quick read. Best suited for fans of cozy fantasy or those new to fantasy, it is a good entry point. It is a book worth picking up because of its humor, heartwarming friendships, and moments of introspection. But it was not my favorite. I would not recommend it for those who need a strong plot-based story and a strong payoff.

• King Leopold's Ghost

4.75⭐️.This was the second book I've read this year that focused on the Congo. This book delves into the brutal history of King Leopold's exploitation of the Congo following the European scramble for Africa. Leopold was driven by a desire for a colony and greed. He used the Congo like a criminal uses legal businesses to help cultivate a false reputation as a humanitarian while making himself rich. The author does a good job of highlighting the complicity of other nations and individuals who either believed the facade or profited from Leopold's ambitions.

The author also effectively highlights the Congolese leaders, missionaries, and travelers who worked to oppose his rule or expose Leopold's reign. The efforts to shed light on the Congo contributed to the emergence of the anti-colonialism and human rights movements that continue to this day.

I thought this book was accessible while providing a profound introduction to the Congo's history. It offered a clear and more respectful exploration of the horrors compared to Cobalt Red. One of its strengths is how it handles the limited Congolese source material. The author acknowledges biases and whitewashing in the sources he relied on, while emphasizing the importance of critical analysis. This approach contrasts with Cobalt Red, which felt voyeuristic in the portrayal of the Congo's current struggles, even while being impactful.

I disagreed with the conclusion, which suggests that democracy, like Western countries, is the only reasonable outcome for Africa. Africa's unique colonial history, the ongoing external interference, and complex dynamics make it challenging to apply a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, I believe there is a need to rethink which governing style will work and allow African nations to reimagine systems that work best for their unique contexts. Although I disagree with the conclusion, this book is an essential read and a powerful introduction to the horrors of Leopold's rule and the individuals who stood against him. I recommend it to anyone interested in the history of Congo, colonialism, and human rights.

📚 Currently Reading:

• The Good Nurse by Charles Graeber. 39% completed. I have read Part I of this nonfiction that explores the mind of Charlie Cullen. Cullen is a nurse who was arrested and implicated in 300 deaths over sixteen years and nine hospitals. This book is wild. What stands out to me so far is the struggle between protecting the hospital's reputation and protecting patients. Unfortunately, protecting patients came second. I see similarities between Cullen's continued employment and what happens in law enforcement, coaching, and academia. Lower-paying jobs that require a lot of dedication and are not well-suited for many employees. Bad apples stay in the system until they push the line too far or someone is brave enough to step up and stop them.
• Shogun, Vol 1 by James Clavell. 61% completed. I almost gave up on this book. I got to a part that made me roll my eyes. It was a portion of the book that could have been shorter but seemed to drag on. However, it picked up a little after that. I am still enjoying it. 

💡 Lessons Learned:

History can be one-sided. It is said that history is written by the victors. Here are some tips, and the books I got them from, on how to foster a more balanced view:

• Seek Multiple Perspectives and Diverse Sources: The Humanity Archive by Jermaine Fowler. The author points out that we should actively read many accounts of the same event and seek out a diversity of viewpoints.
• Promote Honest and Inclusive History: Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen. Learn both the achievements and the failures of people. Examine how events affect people.
• Present Multiple Interpretations: Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen. After reading different perspectives, draw your own conclusions. Be open to different interpretations.
• Ask Whose Viewpoint Is Presented and What Is Omitted: Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen. Be mindful of who is represented and who is not. The first viewpoint you encounter may influence your conclusion. Take the time to explore different perspectives.
• Acknowledge the Interwoven Nature of History: Freedom is a Constant Struggle by Angela Davis. History is not a story of the victors, and it does not happen in isolation. Explore how the history of one group intertwines with another group.

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