OSU book clubs receive “Precious” advice from author Sapphire

Let’s Be More Like George W. Bush. Seriously.

Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman

Demagoguery has always flourished during times of national unease. And so it is not surprising that while Americans grapple with the consequences of war and recession, media personalities and future presidential hopefuls are preying on their fears.

For the past several weeks, talk radio and cable news has been abuzz with the controversy regarding the proposed Islamic center in lower Manhattan, not far from the site of the 2001 terrorist attacks that killed thousands of people and destroyed the World Trade Center.

Because of the hyperbole with which this topic has been discussed in the media, it is understandable—though regrettable—that many Americans have a negative reaction to the proposal. It is extremely unfortunate, however, that some of our would-be leaders are using this moment to fan the flames of division and intolerance.

The question of whether Muslims in New York have the right to build an Islamic Center near Ground Zero isn’t really a question at all: Of course they do; this is America. Religious freedom is one of the foundations upon which this nation was built. Every American has the right to worship how and where they see fit.

This principle, enshrined in the First Amendment to the Constitution, is one of many that make me proud to be an American. But others apparently think it should be revisited. For example, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich recently suggested that when it comes to religious freedom, America should follow the lead of Saudi Arabia.

“There should be no mosque near Ground Zero in New York so long as there are no churches or synagogues in Saudi Arabia,” Gingrich said.

Gingrich is clearly hoping to ride this issue all the way to the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, though I don’t know that suggesting that America take its cues from an Islamic theocracy is the best strategy.

Not all opponents of the New York mosque are making as radical a case as the former House speaker. Some have acknowledged that Muslims have the right to build a mosque in lower Manhattan, but say they should have the decency to refrain from exercising that right because of the attacks of nine years ago.

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OSU book clubs receive “Precious” advice from author Sapphire

By Felix Hoover

For Your News Columbus

Oct. 12, 2010

Photo by Terry Gilliam

Just because something has never been done, doesn’t mean it’s not doable, said Sapphire, a poet and author whose book Push became the basis for the acclaimed movie Precious.

She talked about the book and movie during a talk Tuesday at the Oxley Thompson Library at Ohio State University. Members of the Enigma and WE, for Women’s Empowerment, book clubs made up most of the audience for the lunchtime talk.

When Sapphire started writing Push, she wanted it to be a political novel that exposed the school system in New York. The farther she went into the writing, the more the focus changed.

"The book started to take off when it became character driven," Sapphire said.

She urged the students to challenge widely held views, irrespective of their origin, such as “peace is unattainable” and “the poor will always be among us.”

“Flip the script and use your talents to change the world,” she said.

Patty Cunningham, a retention counselor in the OSU Office of Minority Affairs and one of the organizer’s of the day’s events, said that Sapphire’s appearance was special because authors of her status usually aren’t accessible.

Although most of the students in the audience share an interest in reading, they represent many academic disciplines.

“No matter whatever career they choose, they can be involved in social activism,” said Toshia Safford, president and chief executive officer of the Center for Healthy Families.

The center works to overcome disadvantages associated with teen parenthood.

Sapphire was a speaker and honoree Tuesday night at the Bridge Builders program at the Lincoln Theatre. The event not only introduced the Center for Healthy Families to the public, but also recognized communities leaders whose dedication to causes larger than themselves exemplifies what it means to be a bridge builder.

Honors also went to Michael G. Morris, president, chairman and CEO of American Electric Power, and David Brown’s group, the Harmony Project.