This week, Aaron tells the tale of a woman finally getting the opportunity of a lifetime. Will it happen or not leads to an insightful discussion on modern debate techniques, and society’s leanings towards celebrity.
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Welcome to Smirk. A podcast that covers society and culture through a storytelling lens. Part creative writing, part discussion, and always interesting. Each week our hosts brings a story to the show, a story they wrote themselves, which is immediately followed by discussion on the author’s moral or theme.
These stories can cover any topic the host wants to discuss, it can be lighthearted or more serious. No one but the author knows if these tales are truth or fiction, and part of the fun is guessing while you’re listening before the reality is made clear.
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Want to read Aaron’s story “This Is Her Moment” in full? Think you can identify the moral or theme for this episode? Read it below, and then take a listen to the podcast.
This Is Her Moment
This is her moment.
Maureen had been a Senator for 2 years, and finally felt like she could make a difference.
Ever since abortion was overturned and ruled illegal in these United States, Maureen had been on a personal crusade to reinstate the rights she felt belonged to every woman. And tonight, she was to debate her stance with the harshest critic of any sort of reversal, fellow Senator, Jake Patterson.
Live on national television, on The Alan Harvey show, with an audience of 23 million, this debate could easily turn the tide to reinstituting the controversial procedure. Maureen had prepared for weeks for this discussion, crossing every T, dotting every I. She would not allow this opportunity to be sideswiped into the abyss. THIS was the most personal battle she had ever fought in life, political or otherwise.
This is her moment.
Maureen approached the stage, and to her right, about 50 feet from her, stood Jake. It would be easy to dismiss Jake as arrogant machismo, refuting women’s rights due to some sexist ideology. But the truth is, it was his personal faith that founded his beliefs. Maureen had met him many times, and never was he rude or did he speak down his constintuents or her. He was always polite and genuine. Though they carried a fundamental difference in opinion on this particular topic, Maureen respected him.
The lights dimmed, and Alan Harvey stepped front and center. The most popular television host in America was about to introduce her and give her a pulpit to effect real change. Maureen was nervous, but elated. THIS could the war is won. And she was NOT going this moment slip.
Alan cleared his throat, preparing to speak. Maureen was starting to tremble with excitement. “This is where we turn the tide”, she thought.
Alan began to speak, “My fellow Americans. Today is a dark day. We have just received word that beloved film icon, Meryl Hayworth has passed away. We all loved Meryl, and therefore, we are modifying tonight’s program, and in her honor, we will reflect on the decades of sheer joy she has brought this great land. Maureen, do you recall the first film of Meryl’s you saw?”
Maureen stood ghost-faced. Her mocha skin had been flushed of color. She sat speechless for what seemed like hours, yet in truth was mere seconds. She had come here tonight to change the path for women everywhere, and it was becoming clear that would not happen. Could she swallow her pride, and reflect on a deceased celebrity’s legacy? Instead of discussing one of the most important issues of the decade? Is this where we are in America, she thought, where an entertainer is deemed more important than discussing issues of actual importance? How she responded could define her own legacy, as well as the course of action for women’s issues for the next few years. The People, will never forget what happened next.
This IS her moment.
Maureen looked about the room. She contemplated every scenario. She carefully surveyed the faces of her audience. She pursed her lips together and finally, she began to speak.
Now, listen to the full episode as we dissect Aaron’s story.