Sam Freedman

Sam Freedman’s mother attended Baruch College.  This is probably one of the reasons why he decided to visit our class.  A well known columnist and writer, it was truly a privilege to have him in our classroom to give some insight on his book Who She Was, as well as lend us a hand in writing our final projects.

He began by explaining his reasons for delving into his mother’s individual life, stating that he regretted “not being more attentive while she was sick,” naming it a “posthumous reconciliation.”  Next, he explained what he called the “Periodic Table of Human Nature,” stemming from his belief that everything in human existence breaks down to the same basic elements.  From there, he opened up the Q&A session, imploring us to feel free to ask anything we want.  I admired the transparency that he was able to maintain while discussing a delicate subject such as his mother’s life and subsequent demise, and his feelings of resentment towards his grandmother.  Although he is a journalist by trade, the way he set aside his emotions to complete the research for Who She Was really showed his aptitude as a historian, trying to accurately chronicle the life his mother lived, and how she became the person he knew.

I also admired the honesty with which he answered all of our questions.  Throughout the entire session, there were no questions where I thought he might be holding something back from us.  In regards to our final projects, he offered his opinion, and one piece of advice.  “I think that ‘ordinary’ lives are filled with extraordinary drama…Any life, if researched well enough, can be dramatic.”