It’s been a while since I even listened to This American Life let alone ranted or raved about it here and what an episode to return to. As they often do, they started off kind of annoying me. Then it grew on me again. Then, 30 minutes into this show or thereabouts, the “Tom Girls” story. I don’t wanna tell you what it’s about or get too much into my thoughts on it, ‘cos they cover it better than I ever could and I quickly get in a mess on this topic and wind up saying nothing. I just wanna say, please, even if you never listened to This American Life before, if you’ve got about 20 minutes to spare, listen to this one story. It’s one of the most beautiful, heartbreaking, anger inducing (because of some of the ignorance you hear) yet hopeful (‘cos of how fully the girls’ self-knowledge comes across - who they are simply can’t be denied) things I’ve ever heard on something that is really close to my heart.
When I read, or like in this case, hear that there are girls like this out there who actually have the ability to express themselves so young and at least hope to be taken seriously, therefore with luck get some important things pertaining to the “problem” done in good time … let’s just say, bad idea to listen at work. I wish I’d had the same chance, and I hope one day all kids do. The American Tail song that follows it was admittedly milking the moment, but hey, I’ll never turn down a good cry. Please, please listen, I don’t like to come across as preachy and stuff but I just really wish everyone on earth understood this thing. I’ll get off the soap box now, thanks :-P
