Persephone Arbour

This morning I experienced the unexpected power of a brilliant, sensitive, heart-full interviewer combining with the modesty, compassion and intelligence of the interviewee – again.

These were the words that came to me on re-watching the already posted interview between these two extraordinary men.

I am writing to suggest to you that, if you have not already seen it, please set aside the time to do so. If you have watched – look and listen again! I heard so much more during this second exposure. This time I finished up in tears.

They appeared to be talking about the miracle of building schools for girls in Afghanistan. What was actually happening for me the listener, was a deepening understanding of a) the Afghani people; and b) how it is possible for one man, with truth, simplicity and totally unselfish effort, to reach the mighty. By that I mean government and military.

Oh, and by the way – it IS also very worthwhile watching the preceding interview about the US political situation. I had tried, unsuccessfully, to separate it out before publishing the Mortenson interview. I’m glad I didn’t! It is useful as a strong warning to us in the UK, coming up to a general election, to be aware of what can happen when the Conservative Right has had too much power for too long! You could say the same I guess about the ‘conservative’ Left! The warning applies to both sides I think.

You can visit both interviews here