Positivity: Daryn Kagan Responds to a Critic (Positively, of Course)
Daryn Kagan’s site debuted back in November (”My mission and the motto of the website is to ‘Show the World What Is Possible!’ one story at a time.”). She added a blog in January. She has a book coming out in May 2008 (scroll down to June 6 at the blog).
She also dishes back nicely (of course) to a critic (June 15 entry at the blog):
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June 15, 2007: Apparently, Not Everyone’s A Fan. Well, Not Yet Anyway
I thought I would let you peek in my email bag. I received this today from Brian Jones of Brooklyn, NY:
just what americans need: an(other) outlet to avoid responsibility and ignore the pain and suffering our way of life and our government inflict on so many in the world- hooray! just put a smile on your face and ignore the atrocities we support with our tax dollars; god forbid americans should actually be subjugated to feel bad about something.
why don’t you ask Iraqi civilians who’s wives, sons, and daughters have been needlessly slaughtered thanks to the U.S. invasion how “good” things are in their world? i believe your resources would be better spent actually speaking out against injustice and suffering and trying to make change, rather than looking for ways to comfort yourself; is being a middle-class, u.s. citizen not a blessing enough? is our power and voice as u.s. citizens so impotent that we need to hear about 2 legged dogs and cookie sale proceeds to help cancer victims, to feel good about ourselves?
and to claim to be apolitical is dishonest…disregard, avoidance, and maintaining the status quo (especially when it works to your own advantage) is immensely political. rationalizing and reinforcing apathy is not admirable. denial of complicity, rejection of policy, and inaction in protesting the economic, environmental and social horrors of the (let’s face it: third) world is not the road to happiness if you’re a citizen with any sense of morality, spirituality, ethics, or justice.
brian jones
brooklyn, ny
And here is my response:
Brian–
Thanks for taking the time out to check out DarynKagan.com and then, taking the time to write in.
It’s clear you are very passionate in caring about the world.
Who would’ve thought, you and I actually have something in common?
If I may–here’s my take. I’m not about sugar-coating anything. I firmly believe that it is vital to be informed. I just also think it’s important to be inspired.
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Go here for the rest of Daryn’s response (June 15 entry at her blog).
