How the light gets in
Hi, friends. I’ve been quiet here for longer than I intended. Thank you to those of you who were kind to me after my last post, and to all of you for simply reading and being there. If I had blogged last Sunday like I meant to, I would have told you that things were looking up — that I wasn’t feeling hopeless even if I was still finding it hard to write, that I was worried for obvious reasons but that I believed the worst wouldn’t happen. And then I woke up on Wednesday and read the news.
I’m terrified about — to call it what it is — the international rise of fascism. I’m terrified this spells the end for us when it comes to halting climate change. And I fear for the safety of people I love, who are particularly vulnerable because they’re not white or straight or male or able-bodied or any of the above. To all my friends who are affected by the outcome of this election in immediate and direct ways: I’m so, so sorry.
Yesterday I went to London to see some friends, and after that I went for a walk using this list as a field guide. I visited Bookmarks and Housmans and Gay’s The Word, and I got badges and postcards and books. I’m still devastated, but it helped a little. I got a second-hand copy of Louise Raw’s Striking a Light, which I’ve wanted to read for a long time, and I was especially thrilled to find Cynthia Eagle Russett’s Sexual Science. I read it from my university library when I was a graduate student and loved it, and just the other day I was thinking about how it might be difficult to find it again if I ever wanted to reread it. And look, now I have a copy of my very own.
A few links:
Books to make sense of this mess.
“Resistance is our civic duty” — the Centre for Constitutional Rights responds to Trump’s election.
The Southern Law Poverty Centre is asking for reports of incidents of hateful intimidation and harassment following Trump’s election.
A guide to encryption and online security.
How Best to Not-Survive.
“Hitler’s only kidding about the anti-Semitism” New York Times, 1932. The mainstream media’s attempts to normalise this are shameful. They’re also not new.
Now is a good time to reread this review: In ‘Hitler,’ an Ascent From ‘Dunderhead’ to Demagogue.
Autocracy: Rules for Survival.
RIP Leonard Cohen. This one hurt.
I’ll write more when I’m feeling more together. One thing I do know is that I want to carry on writing, however little it might mean. Until then, please take care of yourselves and each other as well as you can.
I’m terrified about — to call it what it is — the international rise of fascism. I’m terrified this spells the end for us when it comes to halting climate change. And I fear for the safety of people I love, who are particularly vulnerable because they’re not white or straight or male or able-bodied or any of the above. To all my friends who are affected by the outcome of this election in immediate and direct ways: I’m so, so sorry.
Yesterday I went to London to see some friends, and after that I went for a walk using this list as a field guide. I visited Bookmarks and Housmans and Gay’s The Word, and I got badges and postcards and books. I’m still devastated, but it helped a little. I got a second-hand copy of Louise Raw’s Striking a Light, which I’ve wanted to read for a long time, and I was especially thrilled to find Cynthia Eagle Russett’s Sexual Science. I read it from my university library when I was a graduate student and loved it, and just the other day I was thinking about how it might be difficult to find it again if I ever wanted to reread it. And look, now I have a copy of my very own.
A few links:
I’ll write more when I’m feeling more together. One thing I do know is that I want to carry on writing, however little it might mean. Until then, please take care of yourselves and each other as well as you can.
Glad to see a post from you! Take care of yourself. :)
ReplyDeleteTo me, your writing has meant, and means, a great deal. That doesn't mean you have to continue of course. I just want you to know that it matters and it counts and it is appreciated.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I really really want to go to those bookshops.
Those look like some great shops to visit :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I first heard the result from the states I couldn't believe it. pPart of me still can't. I want to believe that it was some sort of protest vote, but wasn't that what we said about Brexit?
I don't know, it seems as though there isn't any option for real progress sometimes, and those who want it are becoming all the more disillusioned with the people who don't see the need for it.
But progress is not a linear thing, we step forwards and fall back, we just need to keep working and trying, and doing the best we can.
This has been a horrible, difficult week. I'm glad your bookstore tour was a candle in the darkness.
ReplyDeleteAll my love to you, friend. <3
I want to hug all of my people so close right now. Stay safe, my wonderful friend. I am grateful for you. <3
ReplyDeleteIt feels to me like the world is going in a direction that is terrifying and fundamentally opposed to what I and the ones I love want or need. I'm scared of what's next and I'm glad you've found a little light amongst all of the dark clouds. I hope you find more and I hope you continue writing. <3
ReplyDeleteYour writing means so very much to me, Ana. You mean so very much to me. I hope you are feeling more together soon, my dear. Right now it just seems like something we'll never feel again. Love you.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your posts even when I can't comment often. Maybe good still be coming our way.
ReplyDeleteWhen I went to the library to pick up some holds yesterday, they were featuring that book about Hitler prominently near the entrance. Of course, one wishes they didn't have to ):
ReplyDeleteThanks as always for your words. Words matter! I feel the same creeping terror but I still have faith in the human race to balance itself. At times like this it is so difficult to take the long view and of course we are going in the wrong direction currently. If you wish, you may read my words here: http://keepthewisdom.blogspot.com/2016/11/what-now.html
ReplyDeleteToday I am reading Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury. It seems apt. But last week when I couldn't even read at all, I picked up My Real Children by Jo Walton and I was saved.
It's been an awful week. We are still in shock here, and I can't think of anything to write. Good to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteLove your post title. I finally came up with some things to say, but it took a while. Everyone I know is reassessing what they thought they knew.
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful bookshops and some good books you found too! Courage and hope -- you are not alone! Big hugs
ReplyDeleteIt means the world to me to see all of us reaching across the globe in solidarity. I find myself crying over all sorts of small things these days but it helps to know that I'm not alone and I hope that in my good moments, that I'm also signaling that I am there for others. We won't get through this if we don't come together. Love you, Ana!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone, and thanks for being vocal about your feelings. I'm off to the states for a holiday in Feb - with my muslim name/British passport combo, I always find entering the country a slow and fairly painful process, and the cynic in me is a little worried that it will be even worse this time.
ReplyDelete