Doug March sent me this Nieman Lab piece by Ben Collins that asks some good questions, but doesn’t have many answers. I keep thinking of our web of social connections that’s been tattering for a while; I think a lot of peoples’ just completely collapsed during COVID. Without that web of strong and weak ties […]
Category: current events
Clinging to This
“Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” Rabbi Tarfon I don’t really have much else to say right now.
It’s Not a Sprint
I’ve been talking to my coworkers and a bunch of friends all week, trying to help them come to terms with privilege and racism. I can feel their urgency to know everything and do everything… and I get it. I saw a tweet the other day that white people are all “cramming for the racism […]
Murder by 911
This Huffpost piece on Amy Cooper is really good and you should read it first before continuing. It might have been subconscious, but it was attempted murder, and deep down she knew it. Just like Carolyn Bryant knew what would happen to Emmett Till. Just like countless others knew what they were doing when they […]
Defending the Indefensible
If you’re thinking about jumping into someone’s comments to try to defend three armed men chasing down and killing an unarmed man running on a public street… just don’t. Their whiteness doesn’t give them authority or agency over brown bodies. Slavery is over. Jim Crow is supposedly over. They had zero authority to do whatever […]
One Month and Change
I left the house yesterday for the first time in over 35 days. It was just to take some soup to my in-laws, but it felt weird hopping in the car and driving. Jen’s been doing all the errands because I’ve been working, and since I’m already a mess thanks to my asthma and allergies, […]
You Are Forgiven
Ever since I discovered Hadestown (the album, not the broadway play, which I would love to see), I’ve been listening to a lot of Anaïs Mitchell. This song came up in a playlist today and it brought tears to my eyes. I couldn’t tell you why. Or, maybe I can. I’m tired, and frustrated, and […]
Good Things in Bad Times
I’m used to working from home. I’ve done it for years. What I’m not used to is the hit my attention span has taken while trying to grapple with what’s going on in the world – both in my home and outside of it. My routine is totally shot, and all attempts to bring it […]
Standing
Standing alone in my driveway On a empty street On a small island Next to a big ocean I looked around at the houses I looked up at the big sky, pink with dusk Alone is a trick of perception Based on the size of your container Alone in your room Maybe in your house […]
On Mister Rogers
I just finished listening to the last episode of Finding Fred, a wonderful podcast exploring Mr. Rogers’ legacy, and impact, and I thought it was time to finally write out these thoughts that have swirled around in my head about him, about love, kindness, thoughtfulness and community since the election that put Donald Trump in […]