I am busy reading Zephany and I am fascinated.
The book is written in a first-person style, which finally allows us to get into the mind of the child who was stolen and raised as Miché Solomon.
Last week I asked that we respect her emotions when it comes to her situation, simply because none of us could possibly understand what she’s gone and continues to go through.
Like many of you following the saga, I have read a few stories about her, and the book, in the news.
And there’s one particular comment that bothers me.
Some of the stories talking about her experience, add the fact that Miché is the mother of two children, fathered by two different men.
Firstly, in my opinion, the comment didn’t enhance the story in any way.
BOOK: One daughter, two mothers. Photo: Supplied.
And secondly, I think it immediately changed the readers’ view of Miché .
Whether that was the intention of the writer or not, they should’ve known that such a comment would impact on the public’s opinion of an already victimised and traumatised woman.
There is a massive difference in intent in saying she is a mother of two and saying she is a mother of two, from different dads.
And I’m sad about that; sad about the impact it may have on her self-image; and sad that it may have resulted in some people thinking less of her as a result.
As the book points out from the start, there are extremely complicated psychologies at play here and as an audience, our only job is to support.
Not judge or criticise. Just support.