THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 20, 1996 TAG: 9609200062
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E13 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: BOOK REVIEW
SOURCE: BY GABE PARKER
LENGTH: 56 lines
THERE ARE many new books on the topic of race. ``Irrepressible Spirit,'' by Susan Kuklin, is about basic human rights. It is a collection of stories by human rights activists in places ranging from Cuba to Bosnia; from South Africa to Vietnam; and even in the United States, where many consider capital punishment to be a human rights violation.
This quote from Peter Volmink, a lawyer and activist from South Africa, gives an idea of the book's content and purpose: ``It's a very odd thing to explain, but I think our people have an irrepressible spirit. Even in the most traumatic of circumstances, hope triumphs.'' Volmink was referring to an incident in which a 15-year-old boy was shot by South African police.
Here are cases of girls being kidnapped and forced into prostitution; of children jailed, beaten and tortured; of families forcibly separated. Yet a sense of hopefulness prevails, and it is to this ``spirit'' that the activists respond.
Kuklin, a photojournalist who has written several books for young adults on controversial issues, does an excellent job of assembling these real-life horror tales. Though they take place around the world, all are connected by one theme: People of low economic standing with little to no political power oppressed by the rich and politically powerful.
At times the books seems a piece of propaganda for Human Rights Watch. Of the 11 people interviewed, five work for the organization. The book begins with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, followed by a message from Robert L. Bernstein, the Founding Chair of Human Rights Watch. Much of the introduction is also devoted to the organization.
Despite that, it is impossible to deny that Kuklin's book grabs hold of the reader. Once I started, I read it cover to cover without stopping.
``Irrepressible Spirit'' makes clear how many Americans take their First Amendment freedoms for granted. Elsewhere people may be arrested for handing out pamphlets or for saying negative things about the government. Volmink states that in South Africa, during apartheid, if you crossed the street and slowed traffic, you could be arrested and charged with terrorism.
After reading the book, I became convinced that Human Rights Watch is a worthwhile organization with a very difficult mission ahead of it. The activists' stories, although disturbing and at times graphic, are compelling.
Despite the constant output of books on race such as ``Content of our Character,'' by Shelby Steele; ``Having Our Say,'' by the Delaney sisters; and ``Race'' by Studs Terkel, ``Irrepressible Spirit'' is unique. It does an excellent job of awakening the spirit of the ``haves'' to the plight of the ``have-nots'' and should be on the shelf of every school library. MEMO: Gabe Parker is a freshman at the College of William and Mary,
majoring in history and government. ILLUSTRATION: BOOK REVIEW
``Irrepressible Spirit''
By Susan Kuklin, G.P. Putnam's Sons. 240 pp. $18.95. by CNB