Suskind, in Moving Talk, Asks Audience To Imagine America

A large group gathered Sunday at Pierce Hall to hear Pulitzer Prize winning author/journalist Ron Suskind.

This, the final lecture in the Lori Borden Memorial lecture series, fulfilled one of Borden’s final wishes. Before she died this past summer, Borden was excited about Suskind’s newest book, “The Way of the World,” and mentioned to the board of the Rochester Public Library that she would like to see Suskind speak to the community.

“She must be smiling,” said Barbara Shenton, library board member at the conclusion of the program.

Pierce Hall lacked heat, but Suskind’s passion about his latest book warmed the audience. People were seen nodding and laughing as he explained how he was accused of disloyalty to former president George W. Bush and to America.

“But I am not Pro-Bush or Anti-Bush,” he said. “I am pro-fact. Above everything else, the truth must be told.”

He said that although he has made former President Bush “angry… very angry,” he still feels it is necessary to reveal the facts, no matter what.

Besides sharing his research experience, Suskind challenged his audience Sunday by suggesting that people should take the time, while reeling from this financial crisis, to imagine what kind of nation America could be instead of what we are not.

“It will take courage to go down that path, but now is the time,” he said.

Suskind referred to President Obama as a “real person who has struggled, too.” Suskind feels hopeful, although “power has a way of creating great confusion. The struggle is for Obama to stay in touch with real people who are living real lives.”

To conclude, Suskind shared a “pay it forward” story that he has only told to an audience once before. The story, about an immigrant cab driver who had been helped by a stranger, was two-fold. Suskind was encouraging people to be kind to others, and to take time to listen to each other’s stories.

At the conclusion of his talk, many people in the audience wiped tears and rushed to shake his hand, thanking him for his words.