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Rating: 
Summary: A prophetic text for a time of crisis
Review: "Sent by Earth: A Message from the Grandmother Spirit after the Attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon," by Alice Walker, is a short text (57 pages) which attempts to deal with the ramifications of the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. The book is actually adapted from a speech which Walker gave to the Midwives Alliance of North America at Albuquerque, New Mexico, on September 22, 2001.Walker is a prolific and versatile African-American author, and having read much of her poetry and prose, I found "Sent by Earth" to be very much in tune with her work to date. Walker doesn't just discuss the September 11 attacks in this text. Her other topics include the history of racist oppression in the United States ("American Apartheid" as she calls it), female genital mutilation (which she wrote about in her book "Possessing the Secret of Joy"), African cultural tradition, the deaths of Iraqi children since Operation Desert Storm, the Taliban's oppression of women in Afghanistan, and more. Along the way she writes with admiration of such individuals as U.S. Congresswoman Barabara Lee and Buddhist peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh. At the heart of Walker's book seems to be the question, "How do we reclaim a proper relationship with the world?" "Sent by Earth" struck me as somewhat fragmented, as not fully formed. Nevertheless, Walker's passion for justice, compassion for other human beings, and multicultural vision shine through.
Rating:
Summary: A message people should listen to
Review: First off, I'd like to say thanks to the publisher for another fine addition to the Open Media Pamphlet series. We need you more than ever before! I've never read anything by Alice Walker before and I was mildly surprised at how much I like her. What do you know, it does pay to expand your mind and read something unknown. Although the book is incredibly small (the price is great though) Walker, in a speech on September 22nd to the Midwives Alliance of North America, is able to articulate her beliefs and give her take on the ways that we as a human race can deal with tragedy and violence in the world today. I was slightly confused by some of the sections (maybe just not focused or maybe needs a second reading) but I feel that I was able to receive her message more or less. She feels that people don't feel connected or welcome in society and are unable to give voice to their concerns or anger in a acceptable manner. She also believes that a major source of violence today is caused by people who feel unloved. Therefore, the best way to fight anger or violence is with love. I personally feel that this may be to simple of an answer, but I would like it to be the correct one. The world would be a better place if everyone shared some of Walker's beliefs. I would like to give it five stars, but like I stated earlier, I found it confusing at times and difficult to fully comprehend. Like a great poem, maybe it will take on more significance with further readings.
Rating:
Summary: A message people should listen to
Review: First off, I'd like to say thanks to the publisher for another fine addition to the Open Media Pamphlet series. We need you more than ever before! I've never read anything by Alice Walker before and I was mildly surprised at how much I like her. What do you know, it does pay to expand your mind and read something unknown. Although the book is incredibly small (the price is great though) Walker, in a speech on September 22nd to the Midwives Alliance of North America, is able to articulate her beliefs and give her take on the ways that we as a human race can deal with tragedy and violence in the world today. I was slightly confused by some of the sections (maybe just not focused or maybe needs a second reading) but I feel that I was able to receive her message more or less. She feels that people don't feel connected or welcome in society and are unable to give voice to their concerns or anger in a acceptable manner. She also believes that a major source of violence today is caused by people who feel unloved. Therefore, the best way to fight anger or violence is with love. I personally feel that this may be to simple of an answer, but I would like it to be the correct one. The world would be a better place if everyone shared some of Walker's beliefs. I would like to give it five stars, but like I stated earlier, I found it confusing at times and difficult to fully comprehend. Like a great poem, maybe it will take on more significance with further readings.
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