For the most part, I try to avoid a lot of controversial subjects on this blog, but today, I want to say something that many will probably see as...well, controversial. And though these sentiments may be coming a little quite delayed, I still want to make my feelings known.
Let me back upa little bit a lot. You see, 7+ years ago when my (now) husband and I first met, a lot of my family and friends had never even met anyone from Pakistan. (Until my (now) husband, that is.)
And then I went to Pakistan for our wedding 6+ years ago, and I came back safe and sound. And I told everyone about my experiences...about how Pakistan was kind of disorganized and chaotic but that the people were some of the most loving and kindest ones I'd ever met. (If you've read this, then you know these sentiments are not new for me.)
I made a couple more trips to Pakistan after that. And then 5+ years ago, when my nand was getting married, I again travelled there to attend her wedding. While I was there, our family took a bus trip from Lahore to Islamabad and back again. Along the way to Islamabad, we had a great time playing charades (and I am soooo not a fan of charades) and the bus broke down (while we were all dressed up for valima!). And for entertainment on that bus ride, I'd brought along a new book I'd purchased in the U.S. by an author I'd never heard of before. And that book was so compelling that I read it cover to cover as we traversed Pakistan on that bus that trip. And when I finished that book, I recommended it to pretty mucheveryone I knew anyone who would listen. I even wrote personal emails to the 2 authors of that book telling them how much I enjoyed reading it.
That book was Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin.
Most of you probably already know what the book is about. To sum it up (for those who've been living under a rock for the 5+ years or even the last 1+ month), it's about a man from the United States who sets out to build schools for children in Pakistan and Afghanistan after a failed climbing attempt on K2. His theory is that by educating the children -- especially girls -- it helps fight terrorism.
And ever since reading that book, I haven't cared (much) about what other people -- who've never been to Pakistan -- think of the country. Because here was a man with no family or friends or prior relationships to Pakistanis who was building schools in and helping Pakistan. And he wasn't just helping people -- he was helping the people who I'd already found to be the kindest, most loving people I'd ever met.
So to say that it made me proud to see someone championing their cause...well, that's putting it lightly. Words cannot describe how greatly I appreciate the work he's done when he could have just as easily travelled back to the United States and done nothing to help.
If you've been reading this blog for very long, then you should know by now that I love celebs. It should come as no surprise then that several years ago, I even met Mortenson personally when he was speaking at an event at a nearby library. At that event, Mortenson talked about his failed K2 climb and gave a presentation about the work he's doing. I found his story to be extremely impressive and him to be a down-to-earth guy.
Unfortunately, a month or more ago, abroohaha firestorm (or "Teagate" as some people are calling it) was ignited over Greg Mortenson and the charitable organization he's involved with, Central Asia Institute (CAI). The news articles and blog posts being written about Mortenson's alleged "lies," "ommissions," and "mismanagement" of CAI by Pulitzer prize-winning journalists, writers, and bloggers came so fast it was hard to keep up. (I did my best, but after awhile, I threw up my hands. As of this writing, there are over 160 articles that I'm aware of.) Since then, Mortenson has continued to sink deeper into quick sand: he's now being investigated by the Montana Attorney General and is being sued by multiple parties, including the people who he says kidnapped him. (Correction: "allegedly kidnapped him")
It looks like it may be some time before all the facts about the situation are known (or maybe even longer considering that Mortenson seems to be suffering from some kind of heart ailment). I don't have access to the kind of resources and people being interviewed by those Pulitzer prize-winning journalists, writers, and bloggers, nor do I want to join those who are already serving as judge, jury, and executioner against Mortenson. (As far as I'm aware, people are still considered "innocent" until proven guilty in the United States....unless something has changed?)
So, like many, I'm still waiting to see what happens with the firestorm of the investigation into the works of Greg Mortenson.
In the meantime, I feel slightly heartbroken and as if a hero has fallen. With regards to that amazing story I read while making my way through Pakistan on our way to my nand's wedding, at this point, I don't know if I really care whether the story is true or partially (completely?) fabricated. What I cared about then -- and what I still care about now -- was in reading about familiar places and experiences and in relating to something that touched my heart so deeply like that of the actual people of Pakistan. Will that feeling change if the story turns out to be fiction? I don't know, but I hope not. I really want to believe that there is good in the world...and Mortenson's story gave me that opportunity.
At this point, I -- like many -- am watching and waiting. For the time being, I'm still standing behind Mortenson and the work that he's done (albeit from a distance). After all, he did spend time away from his own family in order to travel to a 3rd world country to build schools for children he doesn't even know. (Even I don't claim to be that altruistic.)
Sound off in the comments area below: Have you read either of Mortenson's books (Three Cups of Tea or Stones into Schools) and what did you think of them and the recent news on Mortenson?
Have you ever read a book (or seen a movie) that you could completely relate to?
Let me back up
And then I went to Pakistan for our wedding 6+ years ago, and I came back safe and sound. And I told everyone about my experiences...about how Pakistan was kind of disorganized and chaotic but that the people were some of the most loving and kindest ones I'd ever met. (If you've read this, then you know these sentiments are not new for me.)
I made a couple more trips to Pakistan after that. And then 5+ years ago, when my nand was getting married, I again travelled there to attend her wedding. While I was there, our family took a bus trip from Lahore to Islamabad and back again. Along the way to Islamabad, we had a great time playing charades (and I am soooo not a fan of charades) and the bus broke down (while we were all dressed up for valima!). And for entertainment on that bus ride, I'd brought along a new book I'd purchased in the U.S. by an author I'd never heard of before. And that book was so compelling that I read it cover to cover as we traversed Pakistan on that bus that trip. And when I finished that book, I recommended it to pretty much
That book was Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin. Most of you probably already know what the book is about. To sum it up (for those who've been living under a rock for the 5+ years or even the last 1+ month), it's about a man from the United States who sets out to build schools for children in Pakistan and Afghanistan after a failed climbing attempt on K2. His theory is that by educating the children -- especially girls -- it helps fight terrorism.
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing."--Bumper sticker
And ever since reading that book, I haven't cared (much) about what other people -- who've never been to Pakistan -- think of the country. Because here was a man with no family or friends or prior relationships to Pakistanis who was building schools in and helping Pakistan. And he wasn't just helping people -- he was helping the people who I'd already found to be the kindest, most loving people I'd ever met.
So to say that it made me proud to see someone championing their cause...well, that's putting it lightly. Words cannot describe how greatly I appreciate the work he's done when he could have just as easily travelled back to the United States and done nothing to help.
 |
| Me with author Greg Mortenson |
Unfortunately, a month or more ago, a
As to my contribution to his charitable organization, it was a pittance...a small token to simply acknowledge his efforts. (I understand others invested quite a bit more money in CAI than I, and they deserve answers as to whether those monies were misused or misappropriated.)
It looks like it may be some time before all the facts about the situation are known (or maybe even longer considering that Mortenson seems to be suffering from some kind of heart ailment). I don't have access to the kind of resources and people being interviewed by those Pulitzer prize-winning journalists, writers, and bloggers, nor do I want to join those who are already serving as judge, jury, and executioner against Mortenson. (As far as I'm aware, people are still considered "innocent" until proven guilty in the United States....unless something has changed?)
So, like many, I'm still waiting to see what happens with the firestorm of the investigation into the works of Greg Mortenson.
In the meantime, I feel slightly heartbroken and as if a hero has fallen. With regards to that amazing story I read while making my way through Pakistan on our way to my nand's wedding, at this point, I don't know if I really care whether the story is true or partially (completely?) fabricated. What I cared about then -- and what I still care about now -- was in reading about familiar places and experiences and in relating to something that touched my heart so deeply like that of the actual people of Pakistan. Will that feeling change if the story turns out to be fiction? I don't know, but I hope not. I really want to believe that there is good in the world...and Mortenson's story gave me that opportunity.
At this point, I -- like many -- am watching and waiting. For the time being, I'm still standing behind Mortenson and the work that he's done (albeit from a distance). After all, he did spend time away from his own family in order to travel to a 3rd world country to build schools for children he doesn't even know. (Even I don't claim to be that altruistic.)
Sound off in the comments area below: Have you read either of Mortenson's books (Three Cups of Tea or Stones into Schools) and what did you think of them and the recent news on Mortenson?
Have you ever read a book (or seen a movie) that you could completely relate to?
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