the truth behind Helen Keller story

[yewon]

I guess almost everyone here has read the Helen Keller story at least once.
That is about a blind-deaf girl who overcame all of her disabilities with her loving caring teacher.
But most of these books about Keller are finished by her entrance of the univ.
Recently I read the book named <Lies my teacher told me> by James Loewen, and I've got to know that she had grown into a radical socialist, a feminist, and even a communist. In her time, Wilson was the president and socialism or feminism or communism weren't welcomed by the nation.
So "the blind-deaf angel Helen Keller" image was made by government, to cover and hide her real life as a communist.

I was really shocked, and thought about it on and on.... and
I ask you guys!

How do you feel about that? And do you agree with that kind of hero-making process if it is needed?

[puffin]

wild isn't it? just another example of society taking the story of a remarkable woman and sanitising it

[symphony]

U mean the stories are wrong?! Wait....Keller happens to be one in my been-my-ideal-as-a-kid list!!

[Fowles27]

I was assigned to read the chapter about heroification in that book very recently. (Just in curiosity, are you an SNU student?)

Anyway, speaking of the veiled part of Keller's life, I was surprised to hear it too and saddened. As mentioned in the book, I've also heard sarcastic "Hellen Keller jokes" by students poking fun at the goddiest of them.

Though I don't agree with most of socialist agenda, I really feel sorry for her. It's distressing to see a woman who, overcoming all the hurdles, devoted her life to change the world for better is now ridiculed in such a way.

[J.D.]

There is a great essay--"Open Letter to Helen Keller" is, I believe, the name--that discusses the "Helen Keller" effect on how the blind, deaf, and the disabled in general are perceived. It hints at the idea that Keller's image has been manipulated, and it shows that such manipulation does in fact have real consequences for real people. It appears in an anthology called Cultural Conversaions, and it is definitely worth checking out.

[mtpspur]

Oh horrors Helen Keller had the nerve to hold political views that aren't/weren't popular. A woman of rare courage indeed. I liken this to the Pete Rose controversy. His personal vices do not and should not overshadow the fact that his 'performance' should earn him enrollment in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Ty Cobb character to me is more repugnant and Babe Ruth would have fit in well with dorm rats of my Air Force days. Keller's beliefs are her own business and should be respected as that. Her accomplishments in overcoming her disabilities and having more of a life then most should be commended. For the record I disagree with pretty much everything Keller believed about the Bible and politics are so fluid I take little interest in it. Publiv images are just that--moments of a person's life. If one cares to they may study up on them to learn more. Sometimes it's good to have the magic. And the government image I believe has more to do with the Mircale Worker movie and her OWN book then any government whitewashing. To put in perspective--check out how Thomas Jefferson is being treated now vs. even 20 years ago in light of his extended family. Fame is fleeting. Hold to the light. End of rambling.