This Week's Story
subscribe to podcast [click here] or play audio below
As an actor and activist Edward Olmos inspires people experiencing discouragement in prisons, hospitals, and schools to have courage.
This Week’s Story relives American history and the Bible through brief inspiring stories presented on mp3 audio recordings and text for reading.
Much happened! part two
Two friends met again, Alfredo and Alberto. Grey hairs now mingle with their black and brown ones.
“Have you seen Edward Olmos recently?”
“I have. We have been working on a new project together. What are you doing?”
“I have a new answer for you. Do you remember how you used to ask me what I was doing and I would tell you, ‘The usual.’ Then you would attempt to hassle me from my boring answer, ‘The usual.’ You described Edward’s eyes seeing with curiosity, how he broke from poverty, and determined to stay out of gangs, and off of drugs. He was a determined guy and I am glad to say that I could not forget him even when he irritated me. My attitude about “the usual” allowed me to be lazy. He was a guy with drive and purpose.
“He sure was. Did you know how he prepared for being Jaime Escalente the teacher in the movie Stand and Deliver?”
“No, but I would like to know. I admire how he becomes the person he portrays. When I see him in a film, I forget that he is Edward. I begin to understand people and ideas that have been ridiculous or senseless to me.”
“To be Jaime Escalante he lost forty pounds. He spent hundreds of hours watching Jaime teach and, observing students with their frustrations and enthusiasm. He learned how Escalante put words together and his little quirks and habits. I was proud when he was nominated for an Academy Award for best actor.
“Did you see American Me?”
“I did and I watched it by myself. I wanted no family being more terrified by violence. I got the point. America is being suffocated with violence, limited opportunity, poverty, crime, and unleashed power.
“I was horrified to learn that four people who worked in the movie were killed mysteriously. The real Mexican Mafia made threats on Edward’s life. He had played the role of the drug lord in prison named Santana, who built and lead the Mexican Mafia.”
‘Tell me what you are doing with Edward now. Your referred to that when we first started talking tonight.”
“You probably know that Edward is now both actor and activist. He genuinely cares about those struggling in poverty and unfair or horrendous circumstances. He visits prisons and detention centers. He goes to Indian reservations and hospitals. He speaks at schools to students and in teacher meetings.
He has fearlessly helped in riots. He was of help many ways in the 1992 riots in Los Angeles. He offered help to Mayor Bradley. On TV he asked for calm. He went to people whose property had been destroyed. He picked up a broom and swept sidewalks strewn with debris. Hundreds of people joined his clean-up effort.
Edward James Olmos has a motto. “If they call and I’m available, I’ll go.”
May our communities be blessed with people who serve.
You are invited to investigate our web site at thisweeksstory.com.
<< previous story]
We invite your comments! [click here to comment]
Join the conversation.
This Week's Story is a non-profit supported by listeners. [click here to make a donation]