Just like the tacky decorations in my neighborhood are a sign that Christmas is around the corner, the ubiquity of Top-10, End-Of-The-Year style lists is an unmistakable reminder that one year is about to blur into the next. I generally like the lists more than the decorations because they tell us something about ourselves. In their outrageous claims- Top 10 Best Books! 100 Best Songs! Top Gay Cars! - we glimpse the things that matter to us. At rednoW these include music, film, and literature.

Because these yearly catalogues are less an objective standard of “the best” and more an indication of who we are, then perhaps I can be indulged another list. Thinking over the past twelve months a few different stories rise to the surface. In many ways these stories are nonsensical. Stories that cut against the normal and typical. Stories of mercy and courage and surprise.

And so here they are, in roughly chronological order, my Top 10 (Surprising) Stories of 2007.

1- An eclectic group of presidential candidates.

What may be most intriguing about the pre-election hoopla is the legitimate diversity represented in the candidates. The youngest candidate, Barack Obama is African-American with an international upbringing. Mitt Romney is making waves for his adherence to the Mormon religion. And, of course, Hillary Clinton has made many believe that the next Commander in Chief will be a woman. It’s going to be a fascinating few months.

2- Rutgers basketball team accepts Don Imus’ apology.

Lost in the debate over whether radio personality Don Imus should have been fired for calling the Rutgers women’s basketball team “nappy-headed hos” was the players' response. In the media's spotlight, they not only conducted themselves with strength and restraint, but also agreed to meet with Imus to hear his apology. The result of that meeting was a team vote to accept the apology. In this moment we were shown a kind of mercy and strength not often displayed in the public square.

3- J. K. Rowling proves stories still matter.

By selling 11 million copies 24 hours after hitting the shelves, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows made its mark as the fastest selling book ever. And yet somehow we are still subject to experts who tell us that a new generation has no tolerance for plot, story, or character development… not to mention books in general. Thank you J. K. Rowling for showing us that stories still matter.

4- Buddhist monks lead protests in Myanmar.

Dubbed the “Saffron Protests” this story continues as the government of Myanmar has violently cracked down on the Buddhists monks who took to the streets protesting the repressive government. The peaceful protests put this small nation on the map and have focused the world’s attention on the authoritarian ruling junta.

5- A saint with doubts: the Mother Teresa biography.

Some of the faithful were disturbed when Brian Kolodiejchuk’s biography, Come be my Light, revealed that Mother Teresa spent much of her life in a spiritual darkness, sensing God’s absence rather than presence. Others delighted in an expression of faith from such a significant figure that more closely resembled their own. In the end, it appears most of us will forgive Mother Teresa her doubts quicker than we will forgive those religious leaders who pretend to have none.

6- Amish provide for gunman’s widow .

After a gunman killed five students in its schoolhouse, the Amish community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania publicly forgave the man and his family. A few months later, after millions of dollars had been donated to the community, the decision was made to donate some of that money to the gunman’s widow and three children. The mercy demonstrated by this community seemed, in many ways, absurd in a society schooled in revenge and justice.

7- The public response to the Jena 6 .

Earlier this year Steve pointed out the case of the Jena Six. While the story continues to unravel, there came a moment on September 20th that reminded many of a bygone era. Thousands of protesters arrived on buses from around the country to Jena, Louisiana on that Thursday to demand that the six young black men be given a fair trial. Time will tell whether this was a singular moment or if a new generation has taken up the call for equal rights and justice for all people.

8- Columbia President Lee C. Bollinger introduces Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Overlooked amid the hoopla over whether Columbia University president Lee C. Bollinger should have invited Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to address the universtiy was the courage it took simply to extend the invitation in the first place. Even as many debated whether the event should have happened, it was a reminder of the freedom of expression we enjoy in America, even as that freedom often results in messy disagreements.

9- Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change win the Nobel Peace Prize.

This may have been the first year many of us heard about the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, but in October this network of thousands of scientist shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore. Perhaps this year’s prize indicates a move beyond debating whether climate change is a reality to working for creative ways to reverse our effects on the climate, while at the same time protecting the world’s poor from the more devastating affects of global warming.

And yours?

OK, that is only nine. That leaves one more. Any ideas? What were the stories from 2007 that didn’t make sense? Events that gave you hope or made you smile? People who acted in ways that pointed to something better than business as usual? Leave a comment and let us know.

Here’s hoping 2008 will be filled with many more of these stories.

Comments (1)

Thom said:

A Top Ten list of top ten lists If I made such a list, this would probably land at number one. I think this is the most thoughtfully inventive list of all top ten lists I have read. This list shows a social and cultural engagement that one does not often see in a top ten list. Stories bring us back around to the larger world. Thanks, David. After reading it though I noticed how some of my blog post echoed David's sentiments and I posted mine after he did. Well, if I am to be accused of plagiarizing I must say that David is on a short list that I would find the the accusation a compliment.

January 02, 2008

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