Marquel, TPVs NYTimes Liars Section correspondent, was writing emails to imbeciles, when he read Prominent North Korean Defector Recants Parts of His Story.
Shin Dong-hyuk became famous after speaking about his childhood in a prison camp. On Sunday, he said that elements of his harrowing tale were untrue. Marquel read that the man was recanting only those parts of his story having to do with North Korea.
“All the rest,” Shin said, “is as true as a diamond cutters’s table.”
It seemed to Marquel that the problem wasn’t as slight as the man was implying. After all, without North Korea, what did the man have to say?
Marquel visited with Shin at the Waldorf Astoria, where he was staying in the Defectors Suite which adjoins the Presidential Suite.
“Mr Shin, what’s left of your story?” I asked.
“Are you kidding me? The whole rest of my life. It’s not defined by North Korea.”
“The mortality rate in the hospital where I was born was sky high.” He explained.
“Manhattan, Kansas. Few babies walked out of there alive, I can tell you that.” He said.
“There aren’t many in Kansas. I was the only one.” He insisted.
“I was a prisoner.” He insisted.
“New Haven.” He asserted.
“Yale. I was kept there for many years.” He said.
“Many more,” he said, “I told you I was a prisoner.”
“Yes, they held me at the drama school for several years and at the divinity school.”
“Emotional memory.” He said.
“No it’s a variation. But it works very well with nationalities. During my confinement I had it drilled into me.”
“You don’t understand it. You needn’t have a memory of the exact thing, but it helps if you go to a restaurant from there. Would you like some more soup? Tea? Try our special.” He said, seemingly unconsciously.
“Yes, that’s why I feel guilty. I had to tell the truth.” He asserted.
“It had already peaked. It’s time for another.” He said.
“Oh no. I don’t know the title. I am going to tell the true story of how I became the first Black man to swim the English Channel. It’s a challenging story and you wouldn’t believe the racist obstacles people establish just for a friendly swim when you’re black.” He said.
“They said black men can’t swim. Then they wouldn’t give me a boat for my coach. Then they refused to let me grease up because they said my skin was already black.” He said.
“It’s not too hard. What for?” He asked.
***
By MARQUEL: Managing Defectors’ Memories
perfect pitch
ditto
ditto2
great article
marvelously poignant and funny
loved it
what’s new. me too