Politics


Why have you become so political? I'm so glad you asked.

Why have you become so political? I'm so glad you asked.

I haven’t considered myself to be an especially political person. In writing this series however, in reflecting on my ideas and cataloging my past political engagement, I realize my political-orientated behavior this winter is not out of character, though it may be surprising to readers.

In response to the times

In response to the times

It’s time to talk about the conclusions I’ve been drawing from my life experience and “the state of the world”, as filtered through the lens of this advice: "Prepare for what you’ve already been through, plus a bit more."

Attempts to invalidate a movement, what is truth, and how do we build a just society

Attempts to invalidate a movement, what is truth, and how do we build a just society

Each of us is working on the weft and warp of building a society from our diversity of belief, opinions, experiences, frameworks, and theories. And in that weaving sometimes we’ll meet up and touch the hands and join the causes of those who seem very different from us (I should hope so) and sometimes we’ll feel some distance from those we usually align with (also, I should hope so).

My line in the sand

My line in the sand

In a liberal democracy individual liberty is the given state, the independent variable. If the state fails to convince a population by reasonable means why the individual’s autonomy, responsibility and relationality must be curtailed, and they must advance their agenda via coercion, that state action and that authority is unjust.

Living in no-man's-land

Living in no-man's-land

In my attempt to understand my life path, to explain the inevitable sense of loss and regret with midlife, I sometimes think "maybe I made a mistake, went the wrong way." But I didn't take a wrong turn that landed me in a place, physically and spiritually, where I feel the pain and loss of a broken world. I grew up. I woke up. I left the nest. I landed in no-man's-land with eyes to see the truth.

Solidarity at the margins

Solidarity at the margins

We have to experience what it's like as the outsider, the minority, the one without rights, to know what it feels like to be marginalized.

Moving to the margins

Moving to the margins

I grew up in the happy bubble of secure ignorance. This is not a bad thing for a child to experience. In fact I think it's one of the most developmentally supportive conditions, for childhood. But eventually you have to grow up and become aware of your own privilege.