[stylist] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #152- The Cursed

Sun Dec 20 17:07:36 UTC 2009

Robert, I got the Cairo statement, but Jews have lived all over the world. 
My grandmother's sister lived in Egypt.

In the Moslem world daughters and wives are property.  Google up attitudes 
of Moslem men towards women and get ready for the shock.

A Jewish father would be against a prospective spouse if they weren't 
Jewish.  That's a lot different than being blind.  Look at Lori and David 
Stayer.  Married for over thirty years, parents of wonderful kids, 
grandparents of more wonderful kids and totally happy with each other.  Her 
father, he should rest in peace, loved David.

If you are venturing into the prejudice of Moslems towards the handicapped, 
the topic is even broader than you talked a bout.  Don't forget, if a Moslem 
man steals a loaf of bread for his starving family they chop off his hand. 
They create many handicaps and then hate them.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Leslie Newman" <newmanrl at cox.net>
To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 10:53 AM
Subject: Re: [stylist] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #152- The Cursed

> Judith
>
> Judith my friend, you'd have to go back to the beginning of the story and
> read it again- meaning, Dara tells us in this short passage-
> Without hesitation, she spoke up, "Hello, and, yes. To put a finger or two
> on the map, Cairo originally, but most recently, right here in Philly.
>
> So then, it's our good old melting pot, the US of A.
>
> (I'll have to see if I get m=other questions like this. Thought I made it
> clear enough in my choice of wording. I appreciate and respect your 
> query.)
>
>
> Robert Leslie Newman
> Email- newmanrl at cox.net
> THOUGHT PROVOKER Website-
> Http://www.thoughtprovoker.info
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Judith Bron
> Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 9:05 AM
> To: Writer's Division Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [stylist] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #152- The Cursed
>
> Robert, your story takes place in the Middle East.  Is the culture Jewish 
> or
> Moslem?  Judith
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Robert Leslie Newman" <newmanrl at cox.net>
> To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 8:23 AM
> Subject: [stylist] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #152- The Cursed
>
>
>> Dear Fellow Writers
>> RE:  The Cursed
>>
>> Here is my #152nd THOUGHT PROVOKER. It is a study in how various
>> religious factions will view the blind; from near sainthood to being
>> cursed. If you have not read the PROVOKER, it follows.  Recall that I
>> collect responses and post them upon my web site for all the WWW to
>> read and learn from and that
>> URL is- Http://thoughtprovoker.info <http://thoughtprovoker.info/>   If
>> you
>> wish to receive THOUGHT PROVOKERS sent directly to you, just write me
>> and ask, at-  newmanrl at cox.net
>>
>>
>>
>> THOUGHT PROVOKER 152
>> The Cursed
>>
>> "Hi, I'm Robert. Your accent, if I am reading it correctly, places you
>> from somewhere in the Middle East?"
>>
>> The attractive dusky-skinned, dark-haired woman looked quizzically at
>> the guy approaching. He was about her age, nice looking, using a long
>> white cane. She had first noticed him upon her arrival in the hotel
>> lobby, and later in the registration line and reception area for those
>> attending the two-day conference. He had impressed her with his poise
>> as he maneuvered about independently, responding charmingly as he
>> dealt with the awkward reception his presence sometimes elicited.
>> Without hesitation, she spoke up, "Hello, and, yes. To put a finger or
>> two on the map, Cairo originally, but most recently, right here in
>> Philly. My name is Dara --- I'm the only one sitting in this row." A
>> realization was blossoming within her; this guy's disability didn't
>> make her feel uncomfortable.
>>
>> Anticipation fueling his every stride, Robert moved into the row. He
>> hadn't expected such a provocative seatmate at a conference where he
>> knew there wouldn't be anyone he'd know. Her voice is so beautiful, he
>> thought.
>> Feeling at ease and maybe too much so, he couldn't believe his next
>> words, "Well, guess I'll sit by you and fill up the row so it's just
> ours."
>>
>> They didn't have the entire row to themselves. Yet throughout the
>> morning's presentations, they indulged in periodic soft-spoken
>> exchanges.  Some concerning the information being presented, some
>> purely personal, and sometimes, sharing some stifled laughter.
>>
>> At the end of the morning session, they decided to have lunch together.
>> Later, they had dinner, then the next morning, breakfast, and then
>> lunch again. The conference was over at 4:00 PM.
>>
>> "I've got to see you again. How about tomorrow lunch or dinner 
>> somewhere?"
>> Robert asked.
>>
>> "Yes, me too. Ah --- how about you come over to my apartment and I
>> make dinner --- you bring a refreshment."
>>
>> "Yes!"
>>
>> The night of their date, dinner finished, with more wine, soft music,
>> and a deep lingering kiss, Dara said, "I once heard that it was very
>> disconcerting to look into a blind person's eyes. But ah --- being
>> this close and looking
>> --- I'm not sure I know what they are referring to."
>>
>> "Well I'm told --- good art work on non-scratch plastic like I have,
>> can work miracles."
>>
>> "Ha! Oh Robert my dear man," Dara snuggled closer, "you are so full of
>> surprises and delights. I must tell you that I feel that I am falling
>> in love with you. "Fingertips caressing his cheek,  "Before we get
>> more serious, we must go to my father. He must meet and pass his
>> judgment on my choice."
>>
>> "Woo, You mean we have to get your father's permission to fall in love?"
>>
>> "No, it's not that way. I have my own heart and feelings. I respect
>> you for who you are, my dear. Just that, my father is the --- head of
>> the family.
>> It
>> is the way within my culture. The man oversees the affairs of the family.
>> You will like him. He is a generous, loving, and God fearing man. And
>> his being judgmental; well --- it goes along with the position "
>>
>> The day came for their trip to Dara's family home and her introduction
>> of Robert to her father came. Her mother served them tea and sweets.
>> They talked, drank tea, talked some more, and though her family were
>> very polite, they were nevertheless very curious about how this blind
>> man lived.
>>
>> After dinner, in her father's study, Dara and Robert spoke of their
>> feelings for one another. And her father answered. "My dear daughter,
>> I do not give my permission. Let me make this very clear, Robert,
>> though you are a fine fellow, I must oppose this marriage. I do not
>> want my daughter to be fated to the life she would have to live if she
>> is betrothed to you. You are blind, a condition which greatly, how
>> should I say it --- blindness severely impacts your life--you are
>> stigmatized; you have reduced independence and, therefore, your
>> prospects to financially care for my daughter are handicapped. No. I
>> forbid this union. You are one of God's cursed."
>>
>>
>> Robert Leslie Newman
>> Email- newmanrl at cox.net
>> THOUGHT PROVOKER Website-
>> Http://www.thoughtprovoker.info
>>
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