Overcoming Speechlessness: A Poet Encounters the Horror in Rwanda, Eastern Congo, and Palestine/Israel

A short, but moving, book illustrating the power of a gentle voice speaking the truth. Using stories of her visits to Rwanda, Eastern Congo, and Palestine/Israel, Alice Walker tries to answer the question "What has happened to humanity?"

I always think I'm prepared to read yet another story about the atrocities people do to each other, but of course, I am always amazed/ashamed anew. I was impressed by the way Walker used very short vignettes to illustrate these atrocities. In fact, the whole book reads a bit like a series of postcards, giving us a glimpse into other people's experiences while at the same time not allowing us to remain removed from our own role, historically and/or currently, in these stories.

Even more amazing was show more Walker's ability to move us beyond the atrocities to see and hear the inspiring stories of the sacrifices people have made in response to injustice done to others, seemingly unlike themselves; people who are able to see beyond difference to our shared humanity.

Finally, the stories of the survivors provide the remedy for the speechlessness of the title. In the midst of "overwhelm", there is "Nothing to do, finally, but dance." And speak out; find a way to voice the truth. Because "allowing freedom to others brings freedom to ourselves." show less

While those of us who sit comfortably in front of our televisions to learn of the devastation occurring in the areas of focus in Overcoming Speechlessness, Walker was on the front lines sharing in the pain and the healing of those affected. She believes "whatever is currently happening to humanity, it is happening o all of us." This is the essence of this very brief work. But its brevity reveals the real meaning of humanity. Walker allows her voice to be that of the survivors of these tragedies. Overcoming Speechlessness also gives us glimpses of humanity in persons like the woman she meets in Kigali who was a sex slave and claims that Women for Women International "saved" her or the sacrifice of life made by a young woman attempting to show more save the home of her Palestinian friends from demolish. It's a moving piece that should force any reader to re-think remaining silent about atrocities committed against our global mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and children. show less

Very short, very righteous, and very much preaching to the choir.
Although we all need to hear much more about crimes against humanity in Rwanda, the Congo, and Palestine/Israel, this book presents mostly individual stories and the author's reactions. Political horrors are made of individual horrors, to be sure, but without exploring a far greater context, we're left only with mysteriously occurring atrocities and brave survivors.
Walker refers to herself as a poet several times, including in the book subtitle, but there is nothing whatsoever poetic in this volume. Speaking hard truths may be done poetically, but it is not poetic by default. Exhortations, while they may also be done poetically, are not poetic in themselves. Using lofty show more abstract nouns-- Hate, Justice, Healing-- does not make an essay poetic.
Three stars for the topic and good intentions. show less

This is a very small book that packs a wallop. It is well written and an important book. Did I like it? Mixed feelings. It is upsetting to read and I had to put it aside at one point. Walker has taken a complicated issue and made it very simple by speaking of her own experiences on trips she has made to the Gaza, Rwanda and the Congo. She reflects on her own upbringing in the American South and draws comparisons. I do think that personal experiences are one of the most thoughtful ways to look at the effects of war. I will confess that as a Jew, it was hard to read this. Only one side is presented, but I have no doubt that what she saw and experienced in the Gaza Strip is truly happening. But Walker lost some credibility with me when I show more read her daughter's book Black White and Jewish. I think that if you read and like Alice Walker, you should also read her daughter's book.
So with mixed feelings, I can't help but say that this book is worth reading. It won't take you long and it will surely have an impact in some way. I am glad that I read it, but it made me very sad in more ways than I thought it would. show less

Alice Walker's latest work is a series of short essays about her travels and experiences in Rwanda, Congo, and the Gaza Strip. Working with Women for Women International and CODEPINK, Walker’s trips reveal a side of war and conflict that many are not aware of, specifically how everyday people are devastated and how in the direst circumstances they are able to rebuild their lives and their spirits.
After seeing the unthinkable Walker writes that she was thrust into a state of speechlessness. And more generally it seems that the world has been overcome with speechlessness and the inability to act; we are constantly bombarded with wars, conflicts, a mountain of ‘isms’, and environmental assault.
Whether it is because of media or our show more own shielding of the eyes Walker revealed for me that truth is relative to what you see and what you feel, what you allow yourself to see and feel. I find it an act of bravery for one person to reach in deep and pull out these stories, to start a dialogue so that we can un-shield our eyes and discuss. I’m sure others are doing similar work, I only hope that we will hear their voices.
Sharing these stories Walker is able to overcome speechlessness, to reclaim her voice and perhaps to give voice to others who are victims or who will propel change forward.

This review has been crossposted on my blog http://leaningtowardthesun.wordpress.com/ show less

Overcoming Speechlessness is a series of short vignettes focusing on Alice Walker's experiences in Rwanda, Congo and the Gaza Strip. She draws on parallels between the current struggles for freedom and the civil rights movement that she was a part of in the 1960s. Ultimately, this book is neither depressing nor upbeat, but just is, leaving the reader to dwell on the current sad state of affairs.

This is a very slim (too slim) volume about being able to speak about the atrocities that go on all over the world. After touching on the horrors of Rwanda and Eastern Congo, Walker turns her eyes to Gaza in order to reveal some of the stories of the people who live there. As she points out, these stories are not easy for Americans to come by and she wants to change that by her visit there. However, because I was looking forward to hearing these stories, I felt that Walker shortchanged her subjects by spending a large part of these very few pages talking about the Civil Rights movement. It's a somewhat apt comparison, but it doesn't really say much about current conditions in Gaza. Also, she spend even more pages talking about how much show more time she spent entering the area, filling out paperwork and waiting at the border. Again, an apt description - Israel is normally a hard country to enter for obvious reasons - but, again, it means that this thin volume is left with very few actual stories from the population of Gaza. Perhaps it would have been a successful attempt had it been longer than 80 pages, but as it is, this volume is severely lacking in detail and background information. show less