Reclaiming Humanity

Last year (in 2007) while I was traveling in Los Angeles I heard an amazing interview on LA radio. An interview that spoke to all my issues with LA. The racial polarization within LA, how the city was an extreme contrast in the have and have-nots and how it many ways its Hollywood industry has promoted false values - these were some of my observations while in LA. However, I could not articulate my sense of disquietude with LA. Until Chris Abani came along and articulated them for me in his interview. He was talking about his book that he had just released - the Virgin of Flames

More recently I encountered him on TEd where he gave a moving speech on reclaiming humanity and the small acts of kindness from strangers which can have a profound impact in one's life.