Happy St. Patrick's Day! The U.S. Military under the new Defense Secretary has banned cultural awareness celebrations like Black History and Hispanic Heritage, but celebrated St. Patrick's Day today. Oh what could the difference be? I wonder if I can spot it?!
Seriously though, I'll not begrudge any celebrations of the Irish, who are consistently on the right side of postcolonial and decolonial history. Including today, where there were huge marches for Gaza everywhere in Ireland and their Prime Minister said that he would honor the ICC's arrest warrant if Netanyahu were on Irish soil.
Which leads me to today's despair: Israel has resumed its bombing of Gaza and 86 children have died in an hour. I don't want to go back to last year and its ceaseless toll of children dying by the hour, my unending vigil and anguish, having to face the goddam cruelty and grief in this world.
I can't explain the righteous outrage and fear coursing through so many private conversations these days around detentions and "disappearings" of student leaders and dissenters. Over and over again, people are debating if silence / unawareness / disregard is the better option. What can I say... You know that Niemöller poem that begins "first they came..."? It's not a very long poem, is what I'm saying.
Pic: Nu and Big A in the foreground with other students and families in the background at the "Admitted Students' Day" event this weekend. I want to take a moment to celebrate my Nu and their excitement about going to college in the fall. Truly, I did not imagine they'd be so excited... Nu even checks the college cafeteria menu on the online portal every day... it's adorable.
17 comments:
I guess I was too hopeful because I was very shocked to hear of the resumed bombing. I feel like I should not be surprised and shocked anymore but I am.
But the happy news here - I didn't realize Nu had been accepted at college yet! This is incredible news! Is it far from you? I am so excited for them.
Take care.
Congratulations to them.
Checking the menu is ADORABLE. Gah!!!
Congratulations to Nu!
And there is so much horror happening. :( (I do think the true work is to not look away/stop acting, while also celebrating things like teenage joy over college and cafeteria food! ❤️)
-Steph
I keep thinking about that poem, too, and even mentioned it in letters I've written to congress. Maybe we all need to start sending that poem to all the republicans in congress. Over and over again.
It's wonderful that Nu is excited about college and so looking forward to going and being part of that community. Will they be attending a summer program?
What could the difference be? That's a head scratcher.
It's so heartbreaking about the resumption of bombing.
Very cute about Nu checking the menu at their school-to-be.
Nu's face!! So happy! That makes me happy. The young people are not beaten down.
Congrats to Nu! I hope they have the absolute best college experience. It is very adorable that they are checking the daily menu.
That poem is so sobering. Sigh. There are so many things to be upset about and concerned over there days.
On a positive note and on the note of Ireland, I'm enjoying "The Bee Sting!" I do wish I could have a little book club with you, Nicole, Julie, and other bloggers that have read it!
First of all, three cheers for Nu! Now that's just wonderful in every way! The Gaza bombing, Ukraine, the violating a judge's orders. It's all too much.
Glad you didn't hear it from me, Nicole...
It's just the right distance :)!
Thank you to both!
That is a wise mean, Steph.
I don't think a Summer Program is on the cards for Nu, Nance. Thank you for writing so much to congresspeople!
Haha, you got me there for a second, Steph!
Thanks for celebrating Nu, Engie <3
Nance! Nance liked it, too! I'll happily do a Bee Sting book club!
Thank you for the good wishes to Nu, Lisa.
Thank you, Jeanie... If only we could focus on just the good stuff! (I'm thinking of your amazing grands here...)
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