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I thought I would let you peek in my email bag. I received this today from Brian Jones of Brooklyn, NY:
just what americans need: an(other) outlet to avoid responsibility and ignore the pain and suffering our way of life and our government inflict on so many in the world- hooray! just put a smile on your face and ignore the atrocities we support with our tax dollars; god
forbid americans should actually be subjugated to feel bad about something. why don't you ask Iraqi civilians who's wives, sons, and daughters have been needlessly slaughtered thanks to the U.S. invasion how "good" things are in their world? i believe your resources would be better spent actually speaking out against injustice and suffering and trying to make change, rather than looking for ways to comfort yourself; is being a middle-class, u.s. citizen not a blessing enough? is our power and voice as u.s. citizens so impotent that we need to hear about 2 legged dogs and
cookie sale proceeds to help cancer victims, to feel good about ourselves? and to claim to be apolitical is dishonest...disregard, avoidance, and maintaining the status quo (especially when it works to your own advantage) is immensely political. rationalizing and reinforcing apathy is not admirable. denial of complicity, rejection of policy, and inaction in protesting the economic, environmental and social horrors of the (let's face it: third) world is not the road to happiness if you're a citizen with any sense of morality, spirituality, ethics, or justice.
brian jones
brooklyn, ny
And here is my response:
Brian--
Thanks for taking the time out to check out DarynKagan.com and then, taking the time to write in.
It's clear you are very passionate in caring about the world.
Who would've thought, you and I actually have something in common?
If I may--here's my take. I'm not about sugar-coating anything. I firmly believe that it is vital to be informed. I just also think it's important to be inspired.
Some people will see news coverage of the atrocities that you mention and be so outraged that they will be inspired to take action. Yet, some people will hear of that, be so demoralized and discouraged they will do nothing.
There are many people, who instead, respond to seeing what's possible. As in, "Wow, if that person did that, what can --I-- do?"
If you are not one of those people, that is fine. You have plenty of resources to get the kind of coverage you wish.
Which actually leads me to my final point, "Why choose?"
We are living in this amazing time of technology. There is room for all of it! My website does not squeeze out any other story or news outlet. They can do what they do, I do what I do.
I think of it like going to the market: You go to the butcher for meat, to the grocery for staples, and to bakery for something sweet to end your meal. You don't show up at the bakery angry, "WHY DON'T YOU SELL STEAK!??" No, you know the purpose of the bakery is to produce the sweet stuff. And the baker has no intention of putting the butcher out of business.
Anyhow, you are great to write in.
In return, I see you are in Brooklyn, so I will give you the best tip you'll get all day:
http://www.lonelyvillecoffee.com/
best coffee in all of Brooklyn, right across the street from Prospect Park, and just happens to be my little sister's coffee house.
Stop on by!
Thanks.
Daryn.
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