By Jane E. Biddinger
Guest columnist
Barbara Ehrenreich, author of Nickel and Dimed, recently canceled an appearance in Cincinnati because of the boycott. Her book tells the plight of women mired in the world of poverty level existence. A world where minimum wage is common, health care rare and hope nonexistent.
A summer ago, my book group chose this work as our monthly selection. One by one, in our white middle-class homes, we read and digested her story. We discussed the plight of our less economically blessed sisters. The book took us beyond our comfortable small-city lives and opened our eyes to a way of life we knew only from the fringe. I will not pretend that our group was able to right the wrongs in the book, but we were now aware of the dilemmas. We now understand the importance of leaving the racks and stacks in orderly fashion when shopping at discount stores. We re-evaluated our tipping scale. Seeing a motel room through the eyes of a maid, we are now more considerate guests at motels. Sharing Ms. Ehrenreich's story inspired us to make the changes - to lighten the load of another in any small way while voicing our support for more meaningful changes in our social and political arenas.
When I heard that the author was coming to Cincinnati I was quite pleased. A city in such turmoil would benefit from what she has to say. The book had an impact on eight women from Fairfield, I was confident her story could do the same for Cincinnati. But the backers of the boycott took action and the opportunity was lost. Struck down by a group bemoaning economic inequality. The very heart of the author's work.
I am in my fourth year of story sharing. In the early years, the colorful narratives knew no ethnic or racial bounds. A rainbow of women graced the stage and I have varied and vivid memories of them. Margaret Thatcher reported on the world after Sept. 11. Coretta King was awarded a standing ovation before she spoke her first word. Peggy Fleming shared her battle with breast cancer. Maya Angelou recited poetry, sang and danced for us, with us. Carol Burnett gave her famed Tarzan call and told of growing up with alcoholic parents. Mae Jameson, the first African-American astronaut, challenged us to defy all earthly limitations. .
Last year, however, the harmonious blending of sisterhood was dealt a setback. Whoopi Goldberg was on the slate. I looked forward to being blown away by her wit and humor. Instead, the supporters for the boycott struck and Whoopi chose to blow off Cincinnati. Dixie Carter came in her place. The boycott did not diminish the size of the crowd and had little or no economic effect on the city. The boycott did, however, diminish the diversity of the series. While Dixie Carter was delightful, she was white. In a city where we are told that black voices are unwelcome or ignored, yet another opportunity to be heard, to be heard in a packed auditorium, was lost.
The boycotting of these events is counterproductive to healing and unifying the city of Cincinnati. We need to share more stories. For our stories are in essence what we are. Our stories define us. Our stories connect us. In that commonality there is a healing, an understanding and a communion. And therein lies a tool for positive and lasting change.
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Jane E. Biddinger of Fairfield is married with three children.
