[stylist] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #152- The Cursed

Mon Dec 21 15:41:38 UTC 2009

JC, Robert & Judith,
This is a marvelous example of how readers interpret things differently. 
When I first read the TP, I was thinking that Robert was being 
deliberately vague about the religion because to a certain extent the 
prejudice exists universally. Christians also live in Egypt and I would 
be surprised if there weren't some Jews there as well. Philadelphia, of 
course, has imigrants of all religious stripes.

When I was a child in a Christian home, I had the impression that my 
parents believed that God was punishing them by giving them two blind 
children. The word "curse wasn't used, but isn't it the same thing? I 
also think that many "enlightened" parents still have misgivings, stated 
or not, about having their kids hook up with a blind mate. We're not 
used to the idea of a patriarc having power to stop a marriage, but it's 
not uncommon in many cultures.
Donna Hill

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James H. "Jim" Canaday M.A. N6YR wrote:
> Robert,
> I got it the first time through...however, her question is valid since 
> there are non muslims [spelled m u s l i m s] in egypt, i.e. couple 
> forms of christianity and even some jews and other faiths in egypt.
> kinda steamy story Robert!
> uh, you didn't seem to focus on the  huge taboo: if she's indeed 
> muslim, then dating at all is forbidden, especially with a nonmuslim 
> guy if her family is at all devout.  her male relatives would  not 
> take kindly to her doing that.  completely unrelated to his blindness.
> I'll write more on the general topic in this tp later.  but I should 
> add that your thought provokers are an amazing resource and I  am so 
> glad you write them.  I hope many people read them and find a wide 
> open door to understanding blind people!
>
> jc
> Jim Canaday M.A.
> Lawrence, KS
>
> At 09:53 AM 12/20/2009, you wrote:
>> 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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