I’ve been trained to choke-up when the hero/heroine from a traditional culture, tempted by the superficial (or evil, tawdry, contemptible) values of contemporary society, is forgiven (or blessed, understood, cured) by the old-world father (or chief, grandmother, shaman, guru).
That’s when I feel (and oh boy do I feel) that that I am so shallow and they are so deep (or wise, loving, patient, insightful, mystical, spiritual).
But after that giddy feeling passes, I feel queasy. It tasted good, but now it’s time for the Pepto Bismol.
That’s what you get for eating too much schmaltz.
Tablet is serving up schmaltz today. Zeek is selling horseradish. Order the horseradish.
The Tablet article, On My Own, is the story of a young American Muslim woman and her traditional — and kind, wise, patient, understanding, loving, trusting, shrewd, insightful — father.
“Some people have a way of earning your respect through their eyes,” Rania Moaz tell us.
Oh, yeah. A minute ago? About the father? I forgot to include that. He can earn your respect through his eyes.
The Zeek article, We’re Not White Trash. We’re Jews, is about a young American Jewish woman and her unbalanced, moneyless mother.
“Instead of taking me to synagogue on Saturday mornings, like I hoped, Mom sequestered herself in her room and meditated. I found her closed door—and the stillness that took over our home—frightening,” writes Mya Guarnieri.
Ah, what a relief. I’m feeling better already.
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