Our Missing Hearts
I’ve read a book by Celeste Ng called ‘Our Missing Hearts’.
The book is fiction but the plot is disquietingly familiar. Us versus them, the targeting of a specific group of people because they appear different. The consequences, fall out and fear of such a mindset. Think of George Orwell's ‘Animal Farm’, set in New York and you get the general idea.
The title of the book comes from a poem that one of the main characters has written. Her poem is misinterpreted and used against her. What is a heartfelt, superbly crafted piece of literature, becomes a lash and a weapon.
The title of course has at least one other layer of meaning. Such disappointing events occur on our planet, and on a national level, when our hearts ‘go missing’ ie. When we are heartless. Last year it seemed that there was always some international conflict going on and the innocent, the children, the vulnerable, and the helpless were the victims and hostages who were bloodied and became homeless.
I have to hope that this year might be different. That somehow, in some way, we might learn the crucial craft of turning our army tanks into tractors and our hand grenades into harvesters. Deep down it’s what we all ache for… isn’t it?
The book speaks to every individual and it speaks to all communities. It is so very easy to find excuses not to care.
It’s not my problem, my little bit wouldn’t change anything, it’s all too hard.
But this is the real ‘look long and hard in the mirror’ moment. ‘I’m too busy caring for all these other people. I wouldn’t have energy for anything else.’
When I catch myself thinking this, then I know that my heart too has gone missing in action.