Helen Keller has been in the news a lot lately, and she is talking about how she feels

about it. She is

happy that people are interested in her and her teacher, Mrs. Macy. Even though she doesn't love being
in the spotlight, she thinks it's okay because it might help spread the word about socialism, which she
cares about. She hasn't said much about socialism yet, but she plans to in the future. Helen Keller
mentions some newspapers and reporters she has talked to, and some misunderstandings that have
happened because of what's been written about her.

She says she has been criticized and talked about a lot for small things that aren't really important. She
has a bunch of newspaper clippings about herself but hasn't read most of them. She is thinking about
making a statement to clear up some misunderstandings and criticisms.

Then, she explains how she became interested in socialism. She read a book called "New World for Old"
by Wells because Mrs. Macy suggested it. Even though Mrs. Macy isn't a socialist but thought the book
might interest Hellen Keller. She is still debating socialism with Mrs. Macy, and maybe Mrs. Macy will
become a socialist too someday.

Hellen Keller talks about how she read socialist literature. Since she is blind, she read German socialist
magazines printed in braille. She is impressed by how ahead the German comrades are. She also read a
discussion of the Erfurt Program by Kautsky in German braille.

Hellen Keller mention that her friend reads other socialist literature to her in English by spelling it out on
her hand. She especially like the National Socialist periodical. Her friend tells her the titles of the articles,
and she decides what she wants to hear.

Even though it takes time to read this way, she enjoys it and wants to keep doing it until she has read all
the classic socialist authors.

Then, Hellen Keller talks about an article written about her in anti-socialist publications. The article says
that because her lifelong friend and teacher, Mrs. Macy, is a Marxist, it's not surprising that she has
adopted socialist opinions. She seems to disagree with this interpretation.

Then Hellen Keller is talking about how an article in an anti-socialist publication is spreading false
information about her. The article claims that she is being used by socialists in Schenectady for publicity.

She responds by saying that Mrs. Macy, her teacher, isn't actually a Marxist or socialist. So, what the
article says about her isn't true. She criticizes the editor for making up stories and suggest that someone
who doesn't care about facts isn't fit to be a socialist or anything else worth considering.

She also talks about how the article portrays her as being exploited by socialists in Schenectady. She
finds this hypocritical and points out that it's actually the capitalist press that's exploiting her by
spreading false information. She explains that when Mayor Lunn heard she might move to Schenectady,
he suggested keeping a place for her on the Board of Public Welfare. But the capitalist press made a big
deal out of it, not the socialist press. They're frustrated with constantly having to deny rumors spread by
reporters.

She then talks about how despite being labeled as a socialist by capitalist newspapers, she didn't receive
requests for articles from socialist papers like The Call or the National Socialist. Instead, she were
approached by commercial newspapers like The New York Times.
The New York Times editor asked for an article and details about her plans and duties in Schenectady.
However, she is glad she didn't comply because the Times later published an editorial condemning the
red flag, a symbol important to socialists like her. She feels strongly about the red flag and finds the
Times' condemnation disrespectful.

She finds it ironic that the Times wants an article from her despite condemning her beliefs. She mocks
the editor's request, suggesting that they're only interested in her for profit, not because they respect
her views. She sees this as an example of the ethical and logical flaws of capitalist editors when
criticizing socialist movements. She points out the contradiction of being considered suspicious yet
being asked to contribute to the newspaper. She finds it amusing that while she might not be liked, she
is still considered interesting enough to write for the paper.

Hellen Keller has a positive view of newspaper reporters, having known many and even counting editors
as close friends. She acknowledges the help newspapers provide to charitable causes like aiding the
blind. However, she notes a difference when it comes to socialism, which challenges the root causes of
poverty and charity. She believes that because newspapers receive support from wealthy interests,
they're biased against socialism and will do what they can to undermine it.

She recounts an incident where an article written about her letter to Comrade Fred Warren, published
in the Appeal to Reason, was cut from the Boston Transcript by the editor-in-chief, likely due to its
socialist content.

She mentions how the Brooklyn Eagle, in discussing her and socialism, attributes any mistakes she
makes to her disabilities. She finds this hypocritical, considering that the editor had previously praised
her. She humorously suggests that maybe being deaf and blind leads one toward socialism, citing
examples like Marx and William Morris, who faced similar challenges.

Hellen Keller is really frustrated with the Brooklyn Eagle, calling it ridiculous and ungallant. She sees the
newspaper as socially blind and deaf because it defends a system that causes a lot of problems,
including physical blindness and deafness. She believes the Eagle only wants to help prevent misery if it
doesn't challenge the industrial tyranny that supports it.

She declares themselves at war with the Eagle, hating the system it represents. She thinks it's unfair for
the Eagle to attack her personally instead of her ideas and arguments for socialism. She emphasizes that
despite her disabilities, she can still read socialist books in English, German, and French.

She ends the essay by saying that if she ever contributes to the socialist movement with a book, she will
call it "Industrial Blindness and Social Deafness." This title reflects her belief that society is blind to the
problems caused by industrial systems and deaf to the voices advocating for change.