To Be Unselfish: Practice Freedom for Those Who Cannot
September 23rd, 2006
“You gotta collect it. You gotta reach out and grab all the little broken, busted-up pieces of people’s frustration. That stuff in them that’s looking for a way out or a way in. The stuff in them that makes them wanna see God’s face. … And then you gotta take all that into yourself and pour it back out. Give it back to them bigger than life. You gotta be unselfish.”
How does this short speech from Sam Shepard’s play Cowboy Mouth relate to freedom? I see it as a perfect description of the kind of writer I want to allow myself to be (free from fear within myself or imposed by others). I want to reflect, honor and expose both the highest yearnings—to “see God’s face”—and the most heartbreaking brokenness within people.
By “taking all that into myself, then pouring it out bigger than life” I want to connect and communicate with others. Doing this through my writing stems from a deep longing of my soul. And it requires being “unselfish,” being willing to confront and give voice to the truths buried deep within psyche and soul that connect us all. It’s frightening and requires a quiet courage.
How does this relate to freedom? As a writer in this country, for the moment I’m free to express my truth, unlike many places in the world where writers’ voices are silenced by imprisonment or death. We need to cherish and practice our freedoms for ourselves and for those who cannot. And we must be unselfish.
by Nina Solomita
Writer, Playwright
Monterey, CA
Great article by a wonderful writer who is an old friend. I am trying to get in touch with Nina Solomita from Boston. I have lost her email and phone I will be in the MOnterey area March 19th, 2007
please email me at lindabisesti@ca.rr.com ASAP
Sincerely,
Linda Bisesti