Human Rights and a Book Review

“The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.” 
― John F. Kennedy

Movies That Matter Logo

     Last night several of my friends and I went to see a movie at the Modern in Fort Worth.

The Modern Art Museum- Fort Worth, Texas

Every other month, the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission (HRC) shows free films that celebrate diversity and inclusion. Each event is followed by a moderated discussion with local subject matter experts.

"Atomic Mom" was the movie last night.

     The film we saw last night was "Atomic Mom", a documentary style film made by M.T. Silva about her mom, Pauline Silva.  Pauline was a researcher on the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project during the Cold War. At the time, she totally adopted the Cold War mentality and never questioned her work...as she said at the end of the film, if she knew then what she knows now, she would not have kept quiet.  It was a very depressing film but very worthwhile to view.

     The frightening part of seeing a film of this nature is with what is going on in the world today, and with the temperament of our current administration, how close we could come to even more than a cold war!  And the concern that good people who can keep us safe are either "sworn to secrecy" or are too intimidated to speak up!

     Here is a link to the "Movies That Matter" website where you can find out more about HRC and their film schedule for the coming year.

     On a more cheerful note, I don't think I ever reviewed "The Perfume Collector" by Kathleen Tessaro on my blog.  This is a book I read for my Westside UU bookclub.

This was described as historical fiction and is based on the history of perfume which was very interesting. I had no idea that they could create specialty perfumes for individual persons, but then I am more of a "clean soap" smell kind of girl!  Anyway, a bit of intrigue leads you from New York to London to Paris..across several years and back.  The description of the places and the times as well as the development and competition in the perfume trade makes for a good read.