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I don't have much to add to

SpendWiselyTexas@gmail.com — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:27:44 -0600

I don't have much to add to the comments above but want to tell you that you this is a beautifully written post. Since having my son, I haven't been able to stomach even the slightest hint of any type of child abuse. I am going to this movie and expect when I come home I'll be twice as overbearing and overprotective as before. I don't think I can read the book until he's much older. The images generated by books are always far more gruesome than those in the movies.

Spend Wisely Texas - Living Well and Spending Less in Texas

Great review, Nordette!

lainad — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:55:17 -0600

I read it about a month ago and promptly passed it onto some girlfriends. It was well-received here during the Toronto International Film Fest.

Here is a side story about that: My friend and I went down in the early afternoon to try and get a ticket for me for the Gala but it had been sold out for weeks. There was a lineup of young black women in the 'rush' line, and we stopped to chat with them. One had been there since 9am - the galla was at 9pm that evening - and the women were all dressed up, hair done and full makeup in the hot, sweltering sun.

My friend, who works for the festival and already had a ticket told me later that despite the theatre being only 3/4 full - they reserved seats for media and barely anyone showed up, none of the rush line got it. Why?

All of the volunteers, who were supposed to count empty seats and let the rush line in, had all left their positions to see Oprah and Mariah Carey walk the red carpet. So those ladies never got to get in. Do you see the irony in this?

What I loved is that despite the horror of what Precious went through, there was a determination that shone through. She was a victim, but didn't consider herself a victim. And if she had, it would have been okay, but she preservered through out the madness. she knew that her, ahem 'father' and her mother were wrong.

Initally, what really disturbed me was the sexual abuse by her mother, but eventually I understood - not any justification, but how it could have happened.

I recently read an interview with Lee Daniels in the NYT and I have to say....it hasn't hit here yet, but based on Daniel's interview, I have to think long and hard before I see the movie. It was a great article, but I put it down not having a favourable review about him. He seems like an opportunist and it rubbed me the wrong way.

Contributing Editor - Race, Ethnicity & Culture

Blog: Writing is Fighting: www.lainad.typepad.com

Metal Writer: Hellbound.ca and Exclaim.ca

Oh heartbreaking

Wilma Ham — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:02:13 -0600

Oh, hard to imagine that someone can come out of a childhood like that sane enough to tell the story.
Oh, hard to imagine that after telling the story she is subjected to abuse once again.
Oh, how much love is needed to undo the damage.

For me Ho'Oponopono is the only way to deal with this and I will.

Wilma Ham

www.wilmasblog.com

You definitely should read it

Denise — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:53:19 -0600

Really. Be brave. It's a wonderful book. Hard, but well worth it.

~Denise BlogHer Community Manager
Flamingo House Happenings

Reading Push

Suzanne Reisman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:24:45 -0600

Last summer, my writing teacher read our class an excerpt from "Push." It was about how the other kids were cruel to her. I could barely breathe as I listened. I wondered what it would be like to try and read the whole book. Every time I see a preview for the film, I am reduced to tears. I'll read it one day, but I'm too cowardly right now, I think.

Suzanne Reisman, Contributing Editor - Feminism & Gender Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS) & Oth

Push

Denise — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:03:12 -0600

I'm not sure when I first read Push. I know that TW and I bought it at Wild Iris so it would have been sometime after 2001. When we bought it, I did not know that it had been published at the same time as Deep End... I learned more about Push after reading it. I was compelled, after reading it, to find out more about Sapphire.

I think that might have been the moment when I got angry at Oprah and her book club. Why choose Deep End when she could have chosen Push? But, that's another story.

I don't think I am going to see the movie. I think I want to hang onto the way I feel about this story, based on my experience with the book.

~Denise BlogHer Community Manager
Flamingo House Happenings

Precious Indeed...

Lovebabz — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:33:27 -0600

Great post Sister!

It is unlikely I will see this movie (too close to the bone) But it is a story that needs telling. We all ought to be haunted by the subject...not paralyzed by it.

It is nasty. And it fucks with our sensibilities, but we must push on and accept the awareness of abuse. And also revel in the fact that even in the most heinous of situations love can and often does prevail. I know the story of Precious... I am she. And I am forever grateful for the folks (angels) who stood in the gaps and rescued me.

No, I won't be seeing this movie, but I will read opinions and reviews. It is my hope that there will be a renewed interest in child abuse and exploitation of children...that we dedicate ribbons and bake sales to this effort to raise awareness. It is my hope that a Precious ceases to exist...

Be loving & Be in LOVE

A "diet" that works

Tommie — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:34:00 -0500

There is a lifestyle (I hesitate to call it a diet) that works not only to normalize a person's weight but also to make the person healthier. It's one that not many people will even try because it calls for a radical change. I went through that change back in mid-2005. You can check it out at Awesome to be Rawsome. There are people who will decide to go on it for "a month just to do a cleanse" and then go back to their old ways. That doesn't work but sticking with it does.

No Way?!

cluelesscrafter — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:31:47 -0500

Amy I too am speechless. Being beaten into submission hardly galvanizes the spirit for a battle with the insurance company. They have certainly picked the right victim to exploit.

http://www.thecluelesscrafter.com/

Domestic Violence

Amy Hendricks — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:45:34 -0500

The fact that 8 states allow insurance companies to consider domestic violence a pre-existing condition practically leaves me speechless. recensioni

Quick Fix Diets just don't work!

SpinDiva — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:38:42 -0500

It is the desire to lose it all quickly that keeps this market so open. Sometimes people become desperate and become hopeful that maybe this one will work for me, only to realize that it doesn't and we have once again, been taken by yet another promising product. Bottom line, all weightloss products encourage following a nutrition and exercise plan to aid in the weightloss and I say, just follow the nutrition and exercise program and see what happens then.

thanks for sharing the message.

Terie

I wrote an article last year that relates to this topic of quick weightloss pills. Read it here:

http://familyinshape.typepad.com/familyinshape/2008/03/quick-fix-weigh.h...

Great Article!

tjsmith — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:17:50 -0500

The problem with advancing technology and the shrinking world is that some will always use these wonderous things for evil.

I had some friends try to sell me on the miracle of Mona Vie. I kept asking them what was in it and the answer was always a non-answer, but they were sadly true believers that this was going to make them young again and cure cancer. I was immediately suspicious that it was packaged to look like a fine bottle of wine and priced like one too.

People are hoping for instant miracles, "as seen on TV" and I agree with the previous comment that no one wants to hear eat less, exercise more and you will lose weight. Too many people ignore the old adage: "if it sounds too good to be true...."

TJ Smith

http://downturnliving.com

People want miracles

Vered — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:49:25 -0500

Losing weight is hard work and no one wants gto listen to "lose 1 pound per week by eating less and exercising more." I wish they would, though, because the only reason these scams exist is that people are willing (begging) to fall for them. I wrote about Acai Berry and other fad diets a while ago, and of course I keep getting acai berry Adwords ads on that post!

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Daniellaland — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:20:09 -0500

In my opinion the most curious part of that story is how in the world Gayle King thought it would be a good idea to name her daughter Kirby when she was already saddled with Bumpus. Good grief Gayle -- no wonder she is trying to get people fired -- she's projecting her name anget I tell you!

Daniella - http://www.daniellaland.blogspot.com - Free corndog if you fall off of anything.

I am not one for fad diets

janehill — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:47:30 -0500

I am not one for fad diets but I do watch my calorie intake every day. I try not to eat many carbs, I eat no red meat I eat as many fresh vegetables as possible and I work out as often as I can. I do have a family and I am not wealthy but I think it is selfish to eat more than we need and also to your family if ou eat unhealthy food. take control of your life and make yourself healthier!