Okay friends, I have recently become a little (a lot) obsessed with this New York Times feature: One in 8 Million. Each feature highlights some person living in New York in a video of really good black and white photographs with soundbytes of the person's voice playing underneath. I've watched quite a few, and have found ones about a pathologist, and a taxidermist, and an old Italian who's cut hair in the same spot for forty years, and one about the little old lady who wakes up at 2am to make mozzarella cheese, and another about a man who had to deliver his wife's baby at home etc.; then I found this one: "Naisi Zhao - A Mormon Missionary." It's from last September 11. I was intrigued, and I watched it, and it was well done . . . and then I saw there were 100 comments, and I read every one. Some were sweet, some were not, and some were like this:
"Instead of ripping a girl for trying to be selfless, let's try to understand that selflessness. If you disagree with the message, try being selfless in your way. Do something. Change someone in a way you believe will bring them happiness. Naisi found a message that made her truly happy and she wants to share that. Why don't you find something that makes you truly happy and share it with someone?"
So you should watch it. I think it was a very well done very objective piece, and it was a good experience to see how the church, and those involved with it, and frankly anyone involved in religion, is viewed in the world.
Her story, her voice, her compassion, the pictures - it was beautifully done. Interesting comments too. Thanks Rachel - is there one a day? I couldn't tell from the site.
ReplyDeleteThe elders are coming tonight for their weekly meeting with Harry - and so it was compelling to hear and listen to Sister Zhao. Even more compelling to read the comments. They did seem mostly positive - a good sign!
ReplyDeleteThe last comment was a bit disturbing - since I've heard other non-members say the same about Utah. Makes me want to analyze how I treat others!!