Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Elie Wiesel

I have spent a lot of time recently on Elie Wiesel. I read his book “Night” watched a documentary on his life, and even read Miroslav Volf’s response to his call to always remember. It would be easy to say he is a remarkable man, but I think what is truly remarkable is that he is rather ordinary. His impact in society has little to do with anything of his character, but rather what his situational circumstance. Reading “Night” it is impossible to get the feeling that he survived because of anything to do with ability. His prophetic voice is not because of his charisma, but simply because he was there and that he is a very honest writer. This is echoed over in over in everything he says. He is a witness and his voice has authority simply because he was there.

What am I a witness to? What is it that I have more authority to speak on than anyone else? Only my life, what I have experienced, survived and witnessed. Even though my life is not uniquely special and I have inconsistent integrity and character, I still have things to say that need to be said. I have lived though suicide and years of deep depression, and yet I survived with a deep faith, compassion and an inner strength that makes no sense in my anxious mind. I can bring my perspective not because of anything I have earned, but simply by living through it.

What have you been witness to? What is it the world is waiting to hear, waiting for you to start speaking it?

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Derrick,
I know that I have been an inconsistent reader and even more so an inconsistent commentator but I really appreciate your musings. I often wonder what can I offer.Thank you for the questions you posed. I will think upon them.
On another note I would appreciate a new review on your review site. No pressure, I just really like them.
Thanks

hollagrigga said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
hollagrigga said...

whoops i messed up.

what i had said was, for reals, i eat up your posts too. and yet that, regarding this one, i must say i feel that you are barely ordinary. sorry son. some of that remarkable-ordinariness like weisel, yes. but making it into the moody handbook in 8 places is hardly ordinary. in the best hardly ordinary way.

Derrick Fudge said...

Good to hear from you nate. Sorry for the slow down in posts. I am semi-retired from all posts, but it seems especially true of my review blog. I think I need more inspiration.

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