http://www.nytimes.com//2004/01/17/opinion/girls-for-sale/html?ref=nicholasdkhristof
This is an old article by Nicholas D. Khristof, an op-ed columnist that my parents recommended to me.
What is interesting to me about this article is how personal it is--"I" is used frequently, and the article actually ends with Khristof stating that he is determined to buy the freedom of the two women he interviewed who are prostitutes/slaves in Poipet, Cambodia. The article is clearly infused with his outrage at this gruesome, terrible reality and I am curious if all of his articles are written in this style. On one level, I find it satisfying, and intriguing--of course I'm going to read the next article because I want to know what happens to the girls--but on the other hand I am little thrown off. I feel that I am reading to learn about the plight of these young women as much as I am reading about Nicholas Khristof and his pledge to commit a heroic act.
Emily,
ReplyDeleteI can't get to the article, unfortunately! Sounds like a good one, too.
http://thelearningtea.com/?page_id=2
It reminds me of a project a local tea house owner created in Atlanta. In order to hopefully halt the pressures of girls in Darjeling,India from the prostitution/slave trade, she vowed to send all girls in a Buddhist orphanage to at least one year of college, for she feels (and so do stats), that education is a key to avoiding such horrors. It's called The Learning Tea project.
Like Kristen, I can't get to the article either, but I think this is a good example of something being unforgettable. You posted another entry where you talked about an article about the rapist being too choppy, not well written, and forgettable. Then you ask what makes an unforgettable story. I thought it was having a good topic, making sure it is written well, and connecting with the reader.
ReplyDeleteEven though i didn't read this article, I can see that the writer made an attempt to make that connection, as opposed to the other one, where it was too matter of fact.
I hope this makes sense.