16. !Trust

Well well well … That could sum up my first impression after reading “ Trust” by Hernan Diaz, but this would of course be a simplification. I am glad that I am not the kind of person who reads everything about a book before reading the actual book. In this particular case, not knowing and going at the pace of the story is quite important. Many thoughts crossed my mind while reading. The writer did a great job letting the reader believe some things only to show a completely different reality or perspective with the next character, next page, next chapter, next story in the story. I was hooked and bought it! What this story made clear to me is the complexity of the society, any human community, be it large or small. Women, have been indeed misunderstood and misused for many years, even though they are intelligent and viable human beings. I remember attending summer camp one time when I was in middle school I believe and being happy not to be home. That was no simple summer camp, it was organized by a group of American volunteers in Moldova. One of the evenings was dedicated to some sort of event, I can’t remember what kind. But I remember that the group I was part of, had to read and reenact the declaration of Women’s rights. I was also having a phrase to recite. I don’t remember the exact words I had, but I remember being on the stage and saying those words as loud as I could. Not only that, but I felt good, even if I am not the person to be screaming or trying to draw attention to myself. But that moment felt good. Like another exercise these Americans had us too, the scream. They taught us self-defense strategies. To scream as loud as one can was one of them. We were again in a group and each one had to scream at the top of their lungs HEEEELP! When it was my turn, I felt a bit strange and awkward to be yelling like that, but they told me that in some cases you really have to do it. I did and again it felt so good to be able to do that. And so now, while reading this book all these memories are coming back to me, all these stories that surround me day by day, in my colleagues eyes, in the voices of those who share their tragic but also victorious life stories on podcasts, I feel angry, sad, feel like screaming. But know that the world has changed in ways that would make a scream sound like a whisper. The world is so loud, it’s buzzing as if a busy beehive. What works in this world, I believe, is strong self-esteem, intelligence, a bit of Darth Vader power when the situation calls for it and a resilient, persistent concentration on things and people that really matter.