This is particularly well observed: "The emotional labor required by black women like myself to educate anyone on all the above...." Like Don Quixote, tilting at windmills in the belief they were monsters, we humans often fail to realize that the reason others don't see what we do, may be that they're right. We want to see monsters--and to FIGHT monsters--when we could be seeing the windmills for what they are and thanking our lucky stars that there are such wonders as windmills. I suppose it might be discouraging that people are still grappling with what Cervantes wrote about 400 years ago, and what was already old then. But reading it from a fresh new pen reminds us that the written word has the power to help us rise above our frail, self-deluded nature, every individual, every generation. Well done. And may you have a happy July 4 this year as well!
I loved reading this! I am a retired white woman who is a wife, mother, grandmother and now a woodworker. These are only some of the hats I wear/wore. I have no political home as I just see both sides (including the media and academia) as disingenuous power grabbers who don’t give a sh*t about actually addressing the problems we (all Americans) face. I love our country, warts and all. Our history shows we have committed terrible sins, the worst of all, Jim Crow, segregation, lynching, etc. We have made progress but still have work to do as with all human endeavors, we are flawed. But striving to hold up the ideals we were built on should be the aim. We must do this together regardless of race, political party, gender, class, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, age, etc. Listening to the powers that be who are intent on dividing us is futile and damaging. It is ok to disagree on what the solutions to our problems are (it is supposed to be that way in a free society). So I hope we can all see each other as fellow Americans, celebrate the good and strive to be better where we have fallen short.
I really enjoyed reading this and I hope more people do — whether they agree or disagree. It's difficult questioning our beliefs and being honest about them. I know I struggle with it at times, for sure.
Thank you! This is a great essay to read on this Independence Day. Your reminder at the end is a great pay-off. In short, keep fighting to right wrongs in a world that may never be perfect, but to do so we need a system that CAN be improved. We cannot have a system that can be improved without freedom of speech, which ultimately entails the freedom to think, which is necessary to avoid totalitarianism. Did ai get that right?
This is one of the most interesting accounts of personal political development I’ve ever read, and it’s just beautifully written; thanks for this, the best thing I’ve read on this holiday!
I completely understand that. After being a victim of gun violence, having to perpetrate it in the employment of Uncle Sam, it’s certainly not the same as when I was a kid.
Brilliant, beautiful and BRAVE! There are always a few good men and women who choose to THINK and question the tribe/ club’s orthodoxy! It’s what keeps this country free.
I wept at this line — “Over many months, I meditated on the reality that the United States is ultimately structured to protect the smallest minority—the individual.”
Ayn Rand - whose philosophy is not without flaws - is someone I read in college in India and her writing introduced me to that idea. I came to America 36 years ago. And I love this country. It’s flawed but it’s also one that has the best self correcting mechanisms built in like NO OTHER nation does.
This is particularly well observed: "The emotional labor required by black women like myself to educate anyone on all the above...." Like Don Quixote, tilting at windmills in the belief they were monsters, we humans often fail to realize that the reason others don't see what we do, may be that they're right. We want to see monsters--and to FIGHT monsters--when we could be seeing the windmills for what they are and thanking our lucky stars that there are such wonders as windmills. I suppose it might be discouraging that people are still grappling with what Cervantes wrote about 400 years ago, and what was already old then. But reading it from a fresh new pen reminds us that the written word has the power to help us rise above our frail, self-deluded nature, every individual, every generation. Well done. And may you have a happy July 4 this year as well!
Thanks Katherin, and happy 4th to you too!
I loved reading this! I am a retired white woman who is a wife, mother, grandmother and now a woodworker. These are only some of the hats I wear/wore. I have no political home as I just see both sides (including the media and academia) as disingenuous power grabbers who don’t give a sh*t about actually addressing the problems we (all Americans) face. I love our country, warts and all. Our history shows we have committed terrible sins, the worst of all, Jim Crow, segregation, lynching, etc. We have made progress but still have work to do as with all human endeavors, we are flawed. But striving to hold up the ideals we were built on should be the aim. We must do this together regardless of race, political party, gender, class, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, age, etc. Listening to the powers that be who are intent on dividing us is futile and damaging. It is ok to disagree on what the solutions to our problems are (it is supposed to be that way in a free society). So I hope we can all see each other as fellow Americans, celebrate the good and strive to be better where we have fallen short.
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This is excellent, beautifully written.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
This is phenomenal, Kimi! I'm with you 100%.
Thank you so much Jake!
I really enjoyed reading this and I hope more people do — whether they agree or disagree. It's difficult questioning our beliefs and being honest about them. I know I struggle with it at times, for sure.
Thank you! This is a great essay to read on this Independence Day. Your reminder at the end is a great pay-off. In short, keep fighting to right wrongs in a world that may never be perfect, but to do so we need a system that CAN be improved. We cannot have a system that can be improved without freedom of speech, which ultimately entails the freedom to think, which is necessary to avoid totalitarianism. Did ai get that right?
You nailed it, and thank you!
This is one of the most interesting accounts of personal political development I’ve ever read, and it’s just beautifully written; thanks for this, the best thing I’ve read on this holiday!
Wow, I’m so honored--thank you! 🥹
Wow. You are such a strong writer. I loved this essay. You really nailed the inner workings of meaning-creep and social justice extremism.
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You got the point, Kimi -- keep your mind, along with your body, free.
This is an amazing read. It mirrors my journey (and confidently so many others) eloquently.
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Wonderful piece!
Appreciate it Gabe!
This is so good, Kimi. I wish everyone would read it. May God bless you, each one of us, and America.
Thank you!
I completely understand that. After being a victim of gun violence, having to perpetrate it in the employment of Uncle Sam, it’s certainly not the same as when I was a kid.
Great article !
Brilliant, beautiful and BRAVE! There are always a few good men and women who choose to THINK and question the tribe/ club’s orthodoxy! It’s what keeps this country free.
I wept at this line — “Over many months, I meditated on the reality that the United States is ultimately structured to protect the smallest minority—the individual.”
Ayn Rand - whose philosophy is not without flaws - is someone I read in college in India and her writing introduced me to that idea. I came to America 36 years ago. And I love this country. It’s flawed but it’s also one that has the best self correcting mechanisms built in like NO OTHER nation does.
Brava, dear girl! Carry on.
Thank you Reena!
You are enlightened
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Wow!!! So happy to read this on July 4th. Beautiful and thought-provoking, Thank you!