The warmth of human kindness – Friday Fictioneers

Published by

Thomas Charles Henry

February 6, 2019

Time for another Friday Fictioneers entry. Sometimes early, sometimes late, but rarely on a Friday! The challenge is to write a 100-word story in response to a weekly photo prompt chosen by our host Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Follow the link to her blog for more information. Thank you to all who take the time to read, like, or comment.

2019 02 08

PHOTO PROMPT © Anshu Bhojnagarwala

The warmth of human kindness

It only won the Oscar because of the subject matter, she types. Another film about some gay kid from a minority background. It’s just sooo boring!

Her comment is one amongst thousands, but having a voice is important.

Later, by the fire, she watches a Romantic Comedy more to her taste.

Meanwhile; a Pakistani girl sleeps knowing she cannot attend school tomorrow; an African-American youth is gunned down by police; a British transgender teen cuts the hated body that doesn’t fit; and twenty Chechen homosexuals are abducted from their homes, never to be seen again.

And it’s all so boring.

16 responses to “The warmth of human kindness – Friday Fictioneers”

pennygadd51

February 6, 2019

Well told. A good story with an excellent message.

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1. Thom Carswell
  
  February 7, 2019
  
  Thank you Penny. Much appreciated!
  
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neilmacdon

February 6, 2019

The challenge for writers is to make it less boring

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1. Thom Carswell
  
  February 7, 2019
  
  Indeed. Thanks Neil.
  
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michael1148humphris

February 6, 2019

All around tragedy strikes, yet minor worries torment some individuals. Well told

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1. Thom Carswell
  
  February 7, 2019
  
  Thanks Michael!
  
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Violet Lentz

February 6, 2019

You are destined to hit a nerve in every reader with this. What an amazing post.

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1. Thom Carswell
  
  February 7, 2019
  
  Thank you so much Violet!
  
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Iain Kelly

February 6, 2019

Keeping things in perspective. It’s easy to turn a blind eye and be distracted from the real issues in the world. On the other hand, sometimes it is nice to turn off for a while.

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1. Thom Carswell
  
  February 7, 2019
  
  Oh I completely agree! I’ll admit I often avoid the news because I find it too upsetting to be bombarded with negatives every day. I didn’t mean for my story to come across as preachy in that regard. It was more a look at the throwaway comments people leave on social media. Shortly before I quit Facebook I saw a comment similar to the one in my story, where a woman claimed that there were ‘too many’ films about the struggles of gay people from minority backgrounds and that the subject matter was boring. I thought it very inaccurate (personally, I can think of more Fast and Furious sequels than I can films with that content) and a comment that didn’t really have to be made. I thought about the woman who had written it and wondered if she’d ever considered that there’s a reason films like that are made; that people who have lived through struggles deserve to have their stories reach a wide audience; and that she actually has the choice not to watch something she does not like. Of course, everybody has a right to their opinion but I wonder if, in the days of social media, enough people take a moment to question whether their opinion really needs to be shared. Thanks for your comment Ian. Apologies for the long-winded response!
  
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spicedmullings

February 7, 2019

Looks like her epitaph!

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Keith’s Ramblings

February 8, 2019

Boring to some, tragic to many. A thought-provoking piece indeed.

Click to read my FriFic tale!

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lisarey1990

February 8, 2019

This has a great message. Sometimes people are so wrapped up in themselves that if it doesn’t affect them, they don’t care. But I quite like empathy in people. This was really great. Well done!

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Lynn Love

February 9, 2019

Very thoughtful piece of writing, Thom. You’re so right, social media has made passing thoughtless comments too easy. And the sheer numbers must seem overwhelming too. You could dash off a quick Twitter post and have hundreds of venomous responses. No one stops to think how the recipient of all this bile might feel. Imgainative response to the prompt picture

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Still Loved…Still Missed

February 11, 2019

Thought-provoking story. People don’t want to know about burning issues in the world.

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Nan Falkner

February 12, 2019

Sadly, we watched police get killed in the line of duty this year as it was videotaped. They have an extremely dangerous job. Your story is very thought provoking and well written!

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