Good post as always (and sorry about your lost friendship). Inspiring list of people who sacrificed the small comforts of complicity. But I'll remind readers that sacrificing the comforts of complicity does not always carry consequences as huge and painful as those suffered by the people you named. Often times, the consequences are as small as not getting a promotion, having the neighbors gossip about you, or similarly minor inconveniences. I mention that as encouragement to those who are afraid to sacrifice for others - consider the insignificance of what you would be losing in order to save others' lives and freedoms. Then the decision to make that sacrifice becomes obvious, an easy choice if still a painful one.
That was an awesome read illustrating what resistance actually is and what price might be paid for engaging in/believing in the power of resistance, in all things small and large.
I've experienced the same type of soul-crushingly disappointing situation within my family. It's so hard to deal with unreasonable people in a reasonable and effective manner.
More people should be aware of your work! Restacked.
"The military and police are more important than access to abortion"? What your (former?) friend was really saying is that "the military and police" are more important than democracy, even though (in theory at least) in this country the military and the police supposedly exist to defend democracy. Unfortunately, she's nowhere close to the only one who puts the military and the police first.
Btw, this is a crucial insight, and so concisely put: "That’s authoritarianism’s favorite currency: ordinary people cashing in someone else’s freedom for a little borrowed armor." I'm going to make use of it in the very near future.
35 year friendship - though much of it was long distance. I kept my mouth shut for the sake of the friendship, asked her to do the same. But she couldn't. Her pastor, her husband, her adult children and most everyone she called a friend except me voted MAGA - three times. This last time, I listen more carefully and realized that held significant prejudice, while claiming she didn't. In her air-conditioned Phoenix McMansion, she cooked meals made with organic veggies picked by migrants, she had her yard maintained by migrants, and she complained about them being dirty. The "illegals" left litter along the rivers as they migrated. When I shared that I was greatly distressed about Project 2025 and MAGA, she sent me a Winnie-the-Pooh emoji. That was the last communication I had with her.
YOU are an extraordinary human and writer! Thank you for this!
Good post as always (and sorry about your lost friendship). Inspiring list of people who sacrificed the small comforts of complicity. But I'll remind readers that sacrificing the comforts of complicity does not always carry consequences as huge and painful as those suffered by the people you named. Often times, the consequences are as small as not getting a promotion, having the neighbors gossip about you, or similarly minor inconveniences. I mention that as encouragement to those who are afraid to sacrifice for others - consider the insignificance of what you would be losing in order to save others' lives and freedoms. Then the decision to make that sacrifice becomes obvious, an easy choice if still a painful one.
That was an awesome read illustrating what resistance actually is and what price might be paid for engaging in/believing in the power of resistance, in all things small and large.
I've experienced the same type of soul-crushingly disappointing situation within my family. It's so hard to deal with unreasonable people in a reasonable and effective manner.
More people should be aware of your work! Restacked.
Same
What brilliant, thoughtful, inspirational writing about the rippling consequences of rationalization and large toll paid by silence, comfort and fear.
Solidarity isn’t a candlelit vigil. It’s a refusal that costs us something and saves something bigger.
Solidarity is the weapon of destruction against the oligarchy’s arsenal of wealth.
Solidarity is the enemy of the oligarchy.
"The military and police are more important than access to abortion"? What your (former?) friend was really saying is that "the military and police" are more important than democracy, even though (in theory at least) in this country the military and the police supposedly exist to defend democracy. Unfortunately, she's nowhere close to the only one who puts the military and the police first.
Btw, this is a crucial insight, and so concisely put: "That’s authoritarianism’s favorite currency: ordinary people cashing in someone else’s freedom for a little borrowed armor." I'm going to make use of it in the very near future.
35 year friendship - though much of it was long distance. I kept my mouth shut for the sake of the friendship, asked her to do the same. But she couldn't. Her pastor, her husband, her adult children and most everyone she called a friend except me voted MAGA - three times. This last time, I listen more carefully and realized that held significant prejudice, while claiming she didn't. In her air-conditioned Phoenix McMansion, she cooked meals made with organic veggies picked by migrants, she had her yard maintained by migrants, and she complained about them being dirty. The "illegals" left litter along the rivers as they migrated. When I shared that I was greatly distressed about Project 2025 and MAGA, she sent me a Winnie-the-Pooh emoji. That was the last communication I had with her.
This is one of the most well-written, effective, and simplified pieces on this topic that I have read. Thank you. I plan to share widely.
Thank for your writing and insights.
Indeed many more people should read and contemplate these ideas.
Deep thoughts more people should contemplate. Thank you.