We had a time Saturday...Let me repeat, for those in the back...WE HAD A TIME SATURDAY!!
Maria hosted our "back to book club" meeting after our summer hiatus with a "heck" of a read - "Take My Hand" by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. Maria arranged for us to meet in the private dining space of Season's 52. We began with a prayer, offered up by Dianne and then we commenced with the questions.
Maria asked what topics in the book were "resounding" to the audience, and there were several responses from Civil's guilt for having an abortion in college to the plight of socially-economically disadvantaged individuals of color and the roles of nurses when it comes to ethics and responsibility.
The Tuskegee experiment was discussed as an "exhibit" of why individuals of color may be
resistant to become vaccinated, participate in medical studies or register to become organ donors. Many of us agreed that while the "experiment" may be a reason for reluctance, education is a mitigating factor in making these decisions. With regards to organ donations, both Val and Karen brought up several reservations from our community that ranged from the "rush" for physicians to receive organ donations when a patient is gravely ill to religious beliefs. There were several "side bar" discussions which ended with Celeste basically echoing the lack of education, fear and individual "skill sets" as factors.
The administration of the Depo-Provera injections was addressed by Roz, who was very passionate about the roles of nurses in the 70s vs today, and we were all anxious to hear Sharron's (a retired nurse) point of view regarding this. Sharron basically stated that in her years of practicing, she has been put in a position where she had to challenge a physician's orders with regards to medication prescribed. She went on to emphasize that it is important for patients to always have a family advocate.
Lunch Has Arrived!!
Maria prepared a special menu for us that consisted of flatbreads as starters and an entree
selection of Oak Plank Salmon, Grilled Pork Chops or Roasted Chicken with mixed vegetables and ended with an array of dessert shot glasses. Along side our menu, we were elated to see a "Complimentary Pairing" gift card that we can use upon our next visit for a soup or salad with our choice of half flatbread!!
As we were enjoying our meals, at 12:30 pm, author Dolen Perkins-Valdez joined our meeting via Zoom!!!!
We were all anxious to discuss the novel with her. We asked about the fact vs. artistic license ratio and the interaction with the participants of the "Relf" case which was the inspiration for the book. The video below is a "snippet" of the Relf Sisters story:
She mentioned immediately that while she did not speak with the victims themselves (she did not want to disrupt their lives) she did have interaction with the Social Worker and the Attorney. She was very engaging with her responses and spoke in depth about this case and how she was determined to write a book once she researched it.
Roz was anxious to know if the character of "Mace" was written to be "Fiiiiiine" which evoked laughter. Roz went on to mention how she likes her books to have more intimacy and passion, but this book (though lacking in that aspect) managed to capture her interest. Interestingly enough, Dolen did let us know that her original draft did have a "sex scene" between Mace and Civil, however upon the recommendations of her UK and American publishers, that scene fell victim to the "cutting room" floor.
Everyone with questions expressed how much they enjoyed the book. Maria ended the Zoom call by thanking Dolen for taking time out of her busy schedule to join us and give us more insight into the book.
Another AMAZING meeting!! Thank you, Maria - what a literary journey!! The historical fiction genre is always so enlightening, and in this case, also timely. Civil, Mace and the cast of characters of "Take My Hand" will be forever embedded in our minds along with the stories of the men of "The Tuskegee Experiment" - "Henrietta Lacks" - "The Agent Orange Experiments" funded by Dow Chemical, Johnson & Johnson, and the U.S. Army - the stuttering orphan children of "The Monster Study of 1939" and so many other experimental medical injustices committed to the educationally and economically challenged throughout history.
Sometimes we have to revisit the past in order to avoid some of the same mistakes in the future.
Great selection, Maria!!!!
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