I've been learning English language not because I want to get a good job, nor pass the major exams, but because I want to communicate more people in the world, understand other people in the world, and hopefully do something meaningful or helpful to others using my ability.
One of my motivations to continue to learn English is my favorite radio program, "The Brian Lehrer Show" on WNYC, New York Public radio station in the US. One day around 5 years ago, I happened to find the program when I was surfing on the Internet. Although my English ability at that time was fairly poor, I loved the show somehow. I liked the atmosphere where newspaper reporters, politicians, scholars, any specialists appeared and at the same time ordinary people called in to join the conversation. At first, I just could understand the greeting expression like, hello, how are you, or how are you doing... It was fortunate for me that the station has archive system so I could listen to the segment again and again. It helped me improve to understand what they were talking about. Gradually, I understood more things on the topics and got more interested in the program. I started to e-mail them after a few months or so. And I called in for the first time in fall of 2004. It was totally exciting! I could communicate with my favorite host, Brian, even a little bit, I was very motivated that I wanted to improve my English more and more and someday to talk to him about more deep things.
To make long story short, I went to NY in 2005 and met them and even appeared on the show at the end of my stay. It became one of the most memorable events for my life. After coming home, I continue to listen to it on the net and e-mail them once in a while.
Yesterday, it was Martin Luther King Jr. day in the US. Every year, the program does a one-minute reading tribute by listeners where listeners call in and read some excerpt from any source about any ethnic group other than their own.
I CALLED IN!!! I read excerpts from the introduction of a book, "The Negro In The Making Of America” by Benjamin Quarles (published in 1964, Collier Books). I got so nervous that I became tongue-tied!!! Anyway, I managed to do it, I hope.
I spent the whole weekend to choose what to read. I went to the Internet and read speeches, new articles, and went to the library, borrowed books about MLK, read a book in my bookshelf about other ethnic group.
After deciding what to read, I checked every word's pronunciation, stress, intonation. I put slashes, dots to help my reading. I recorded my reading again and again. First, I was disappointed with my poor reading but as I repeat it again and again, it seemed to be better.
Once I thought "Why I try to do it? Waste of time, My English is not good, cannot improve at all!!!" But it was not true! We can improve if we continue to practice! So it was a fruitful time after all! I feel grateful for the show's 17 year consecutive annual MLK day event!
This morning, I got an e-mail from my friend living in NY that said she happened to hear my voice live on the air!!! How wonderful!
Nowadays, I tend to lose my motivation to continue to learn English. But I got refreshed with this event and now feel I can be going on! I want to improve my English in all aspects and someday meet my friends in the world again and talk with them about more things!
If you are interested in my reading, you can visit here and push the play button. My appearance is around 36 minutes after the segment starts.
I read the following.
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Excerpt from the introduction of “The Negro In The Making Of America” by Benjamin Quarles (published in 1964, Collier Books)
When our history books do not mention the Negro, significant omissions result.
When he is mentioned solely with reference to problem areas, an incomplete, distorted picture emerges. In either case, a more balanced focus is desirable.
Such a proper perspective of Negro history would be of value to those well-meaning persons who believe that the colored man has an unworthy past, and hence has no strong claim to all the rights of other Americans. Books which seek to present an accurate picture of the Negro's past are, in effect, bridges to intergroup harmony--the Negro would be more readily accepted into the full promise of American life if his role in our history were better known.
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I loved the expression "Bridges to intergroup harmony". I love music. When we make harmony with other musicians, we have to listen to others carefully. When you don't listen to others the music will be ruined even if you have excellent technique. So when we want to build a good relation ship with other group, ethnic group or religious group, whatever. We have to listen to what the other group is saying, understand their culture, their value, their religious.
The "Negro" can be Latino, Asian, or even Iraqi. For Japanese, it can be Korean or Chinese. Or how about women? The excerpts teaches me that ignorance is no good. I want to expand my knowledge about various things as long as I live in this world. And hopefully, I myself want be a bridge to intergroup harmony.
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