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BELIEVE
National Public Radio has re-launched Edward R. Murrow's old
1950s weekly series "This I Believe," on which Americans discussed
their core values. Segments will be offered by ordinary Americans as
well as celebrities; submissions, according to the producers, "have
come from all across the U.S. and cover a broad spectrum of topics,
such as compassion, faith, love, the power of change, the impor
tance of knowledge, the value of family and tolerance." Also
according to the producers, "This I Believe" has already been
"incorporated into schools, community groups, places of worship
and even birthday parties and funerals," and is among the most
emailed segments on npr.org.
The producers surely have never read Walker Percy's the
Moviegoer, his 1961 novel about wryly self-aware stockbroker Binx
Bolling's efforts to fight the malaise in New (Means. Else, they
could not have mustered the temerity to resuscitate "This I
Believe." To wit:
Being a creature of habit, as regular as a monk, and
taking pleasure in the homeliest repetitions, I listen every
night at ten to a program called "This I Believe." Monks have
their compline, I have "This I Believe." On the program hun
dreds of the highest-minded people in our country,
thoughtful and intelligent people, people with mature
inquiring minds, state their personal credos. The two or three
hundred I have heard so far were without exception
admirable people. I doubt if any other country or any other
time in history has produced such thoughtful and high-
minded people, especially the women. And especially the
South. I do believe the South has produced more high-
minded women, women of universal sentiments, than any
other section of the country except possibly New England in
the last century. Of my six living aunts, five are women of the
loftiest theosophical panBrahman sentiments. The sixth is
still a Presbyterian.
If I had to name a single trait that all these people
shared, it is their niceness. Their lives are triumphs of nice
ness. They like everyone with the warmest and most generous
feelings. And as for themselves: it would be impossible for
even a dour person not t*> like them.
Tonight's subject is a playwright who transmits this very
quality of niceness in his plays. He begins: "I believe in
people. I believe in tolerance and understanding between
people. I believe in the uniqueness and the dignity of the
individual..."
Everyone on "This I Believe" believes in the uniqueness
and the dignity of the individual I have noticed, however,
that the believers are far from unique themselves, are in fact
alike as peas in a pod.
"I believe in music. I believe in a child's smile. I believe
in love. I also believe in hate."
This is true. I have known a couple of these believers,
humanists and lady psychologists who come to my aunt's
house. On "This I Believe" they like everyone. But when it
comes down to this or that particular person, I have noticed
that they usually hate his guts.
I did not always enjoy "This I Believe." While I was living
at my aunt's house, I was overtaken by a fit of perversity. But
instead of writing a letter to an editor, as was my custom. I
recorded a tape which I submitted to Mr. Edward R. Murrow.
"Here are the beliefs of John Bickerson Bolling, a moviegoer
living in New Orleans," it began, and ended, believe in a
good kick in the ass. This... I believe." I soon regretted it
however, as what my grandfather would have called "a smart-
alecky stunt" and I was relieved when the tape was returned.
I have listened faithfully to "This I Believe" ever since.
"I believe in freedom, the sacredness of the individual
and the brotherhood of man..." concludes the playwright
"I believe in believing. This... I believe."
All my shakiness over Sharon is gone. I switch off my
radio and lie in bed with a pleasant tingling sensation in the
groin, a tingling for Sharon and for all my fellow Americans.
If you do not know The Moviegoer, you have pleasure awaiting.
Percy's acerbic wit is a welcome antidote to the pious pomposity
that rules our culture at present. If you do know The Moviegoer, an
old friend will reward another visit Meanwhile, let us wish National
Public Radio well in this new endeavor, for perhaps it will help that
beleaguered organization "broaden its base" and shield it from the
scrutiny of its Republican chairman of the board, who is shocked,
shocked to find bias on his network. In regard to the new "This I
Believe," perhaps the best we can do is surmise along with
Santayana: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned
to repeat it'
Pete McCommons Editor & Publisher
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ISSUE NUMBER 18
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