So, this weekend was pretty much the first weekend I actually spent in DC. Luckily for me it also happened to be the weekend that the Library of Congress was hosting the annual National Book Festival. I can't possibly describe how excited I was to hear this news. I was originally planning to go to a museum at the suggestion of my friend Elizabeth Martin. Saturday was also Museum Day, but when I heard about the book festival, I couldn't resist. I live in DC, the museums are free here, I can go any Saturday. But the Book Festival is only once a year. It was just too much to resist.
For those who have never been, a book festival is a book lovers dream. I went several years ago with my mom and a friend of hers to the Southern Festival of Books and was hooked. I heard Mitch Albom speak and I was also able to have him sign a couple of books. I also was able to hear a new author by the name of Meghan Daum. She had just released the book The Quality of Life Report and I had been dying to read it. Unfortunately, it was only available in hard back and I, a poor college student, couldn't afford to buy it. Fortunately, a book salesman overheard me tell my mom how much I wanted to read it, gave me the book for free, and also showed me where I could get her to sign it. That was when I fell in love with book festivals.
I'll be honest, even though I would have gone regardless, my main reason for going was Jonathan Franzen. I wanted to hear what he have to say. He was cool, but my favorite author was one that took me quite off guard. I was headed to the children's tent, when I heard someone speaking very passionately about immigration. I stopped and turned. His name was Steven Roberts. The woman interviewing him about his book? One of my heros, Cokie Roberts. Now, you may not know who Cokie Roberts is, but let me tell you she is badass. Not only is she an author, journalist, mother, grandmother, wife, political correspondent, but she was able to do all of this carrying around the name Cokie. Can't you just imagine the jokes she had to endure? My last name was Wilber and that was bad enough. But a first name of Cokie? I just can't imagine. You know she had to work twice as hard to get half as far, but she did it. I have nothing but the utmost respect for her.
Steven Roberts spoke about immigration with a passion I had only heard from a negative side of the argument. I'll admit, I don't have a fully developed opinion on immigration, other than the fact that this country was built on immigrants. I understand both arguments. Those who want strict regulations and others that say we should give immigrants the benefit of the doubt. It's a subject I definitely need to do more research on and one that doesn't get me going. When I heard Steven Roberts speak, I realized that there is a much larger argument that needs to be had. He produced hard cold facts about immigrants "stealing our jobs" (aka, they really don't) and intertwined it with stories of immigrants from all walks of life. From Hispanics to Asians. He even spoke about German citizens who immigrated during WWII.
I won't say he got me on his side, but he as propelled me to do more research about the topic. That is the point of books. They are there to push you, help you look at things from a different angle, and most of all, to think.
I hope that there will always be a book festival with speakers like Steven Roberts. And, I hope the electronic age helps us, as a society, to expand things like this, not deter them.
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