“The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.” Harper Lee passed away today. With a story as relevant today as ever, she no doubt has played a significant part of so many of our lives, and in guiding so many of our individual consciences.
In 2002, she wrote to a school who had selected To Kill A Mockingbird for a week-long reading event: “It is a great honor for To Kill a Mockingbird to be chosen as the first book for ‘Flagler Reads Together.’ I hope that the event becomes an annual one and that the book so chosen will bring together people of all backgrounds to share their experiences of life. When this happens, cultural barriers begin to come down and people discover that they are not so far apart after all.”
I’m sorry to say, that same school banned a production of the play as recently as 2010 for its language.
“Good reading to everybody!,” she finished her letter, eight years earlier. Thank you, Ms. Lee. Rest in peace.
If you’re not taking a break from the internet to escape into a book, here are some links of note…
The original New York Times review of To Kill A Mockingbird
I’m so excited to learn about Kiddle, Google’s new kid-friendly search engine. Hudson and I sometimes look up interesting animals together, like Mantis Shrimp or Piranhas. Try looking up that second one on Google versus Kiddle and you’ll see a big difference.
Also, if you’ve never heard of a Mantis Shrimp, they’re fascinating!
Somehow I stumbled on #PitBullFlowerPower the other day. #HeartEyesEmoji
Bookcase Dollhouse. So simple, so cute.
Every weekend should be a 3-day weekend. Amen.
And more recess for kids!
Been noticing that lace-up boots are back in a big way around campus.
I really love A.P.C.’s Color Grids.
Baked oatmeal this weekend, please!
Teens these days… (are actually safer).
But here’s why they roll their eyes.
How to survive falling through ice, and the crazy things Navy SEALs do to prepare for extreme cold (with some tips).
Why you should sneeze into your elbow. (Don’t look if you’re a total germaphobe.)
Ikea’s Summer Preview might inspire you. (Also, loads of Ikea Hacks.)
Have a great weekend!
[Book author Harper Lee (standing) and Mary Badham (in the tire swing), who plays Scout in the film version of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” are shown on a film set at Universal Studio. 1961 file photo courtesy of Universal Pictures.]
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