It means something

By Princess B. Abuluyan

Ever read a piece of writing?

Sure.

But, ever read a good piece of writing?

And not just any piece of writing. But beyond the everyday street signs, news, text messages, emails, letters, bills, fast food or restaurant menus…

It’s the kind of critical, in-depth writing people can’t stop reading from the second they start. The human mind will hunger for more of it, and eyes will want to feed on. Curiosity will spark; readers will want to know, “what next?”

Like watching a good movie people can’t get enough of…
Reading a good book people’s hands can’t put down…

And it’s the content that reels people in—it’s so captivating, so interesting. Perhaps emotional, it touches the human soul. Perhaps something people can relate to—it means something or probably everything. It’s the kind of writing people will remember and most likely pass on to others.

It’s “Kathleen Parker” good kind of writing.



A journalist for 20 years now, who has contributed her writings to dozens of newspapers and magazines, Parker writes on life’s challenges and social issues related to family, children, gender and race. And that’s what makes Parker’s column worth reading.

She addresses current events.

But what’s even more attention grasping from beginning to end of most of Parker’s writings, is that she will affect people to remember serious issues most people should already know exists in this world, but often forget about or pay little attention to.

Issues like slavery which Parker names today as human trafficking. Read her column titled “Slavery by any other name.”

She also addresses family issues—structure, parents who divorce, children living in a single-parent home, or children growing up with two moms or two dads for example.

According to chicagotribune.com, Parker says, “My ambitious goal is to try to inject a little sanity into a world gone barking mad.”

People close their eyes to certain realities, but Parker’s column is like a wake up call—as if to encourage the people of America to open their eyes and realize what’s real.

Online porn—it’s real, and it’s everywhere. Parker writes about it in her column titled “Pigtails and porn.” She says, “A new study reports that 42 percent of Internet users between the ages of 10 and 17 have viewed online porn.” Okay, so adults will view what they will, but 10-year-olds should not have access or exposure to porn. They’re only children, and too young. Do they even understand what their eyes are seeing? Porn was not as easily accessible before as it is today. Should something be done to change its easy access?

“Deleting dad” is well written. Parker addresses the questions, “Are men necessary?” and “Is sex necessary?” She says so few children these days have a dad who’s there. And here’s her research to support that: “A third of all American children are born to unwed mothers and half will sleep tonight in a house where their biological father does not live.” Next question: “Is sex necessary?” Parker says women who have given up on Mr. Right are searching instead for a good vial of sperm and certain genetic features in sperm. For example, Parker says, “An African-American woman chose a Latino donor so her child would have light skin and nonkinky hair.” So, are men only as good as their sperm? Wow, this is a reality, and it’s powerful writing. Parker suggests, “A future of fatherless children—bereft of half their identity and robbed of a father’s love, discipline and authority—won’t likely be a pleasant place to live.” It’s something to think about. Remember, children don’t get to choose the kind of family they are born into. Perhaps fathers are necessary.

“To be un-famous” is a clever writing. Parker suggests that “celebrity ain’t what it used to be.” Is that so? She says, “Where there was once hard work and accomplishment behind one’s being awarded celebrity status, today one need only wake up, plug in the video cam and hit a button.” Parker discusses the Web phenomena. Anyone can be known, be famous. People will post their videos on YouTube. People will post their photographs and biographies on MySpace or Facebook. Anyone could be watching those videos, looking at those pictures, or reading those biographies. The level of a person’s privacy is lowered. Parker approaches a different view of what fame is. It’s another interesting column, another reality to think about.

If anything, her column makes people think.

Parker sheds light on what people may know is happening, but have sheltered in a dark someplace, somewhere.

Her column is worth reading because she writes the inevitable truths. And she includes research to support her statements. It’s the kind of writing that may alter how people think about certain happenings. Perhaps, it will inspire people to want to do something to help bring a positive change.

The Washington Post Writers Group says Parker is “one of America’s most popular opinion columnists.”

From smaller papers to larger ones, Parker worked her way up.

She started out as a staff writer for The Orlando Sentinel in 1987, writing a twice-weekly column.

In 1995, Parker’s column was syndicated nationwide. Townhall.com says, “Her column rocketed in popularity and now appears in more than 300 papers.”

According to chicagotribune.com, Parker never set out to become a commentator, but she found that keeping her opinion out of her writing was impossible.

“One can only stand watching from the sidelines for so long without finally having to say, ‘Um, excuse me, but you people are nuts,’” she says.

Some awards Parker has won:
• Best Columnist from the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors
• First Place, Division 3 in the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors’ Ninth Annual Writing Awards competition, both in 1997
• she won the H.L. Mencken Writing Award issued by The Baltimore Sun in 1993
• The Week magazine named her as one of the country’s top five columnists in 2004 and 2005

Links to Parker’s writings:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/columnists/orl-parker,0,4065963.columnist
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/kathleenparker/archive.shtml
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/kathleen/parker.html