...L's birthday! I ordered her gift ahead of time and everything, and still forgot on the day. She's usually in Oregon at this time of the year, but that's no excuse... I feel so bad and I'm groveling hard.
...That not everyone knows who Scout is. So when I was telling people I just met (a student's mom, a friend of a friend) about how I can't go to UU anymore because sitting in silence makes me think of Scout and then I start crying, they thought Scout was... my husband! (Also, the topic came up organically and I was lowkey laughing at myself, I swear--I'm not buttonholing random folk to trauma dump on them.)
...The universities that are doing what they need to do. Tufts is declaring support for their detained student, Georgetown University is doubling down on their DEI citing their Jesuit mission.
...Yes, it's terrifying that three Yale professors who study authoritarianism, including Timothy Snyder whose On Tyranny has been so instructive, have decamped for Canada because of the current political climate in the U.S.
...It's important to remember there are more academics right here and that it's time to get serious about action and solidarity. As Siva Vaidyanathan reminds us in this article in The New Republic. "Columbia University did not fail academia or the country; only its temporary leaders did. The strength of the university remains committed to resisting and doing good work for society. More than 100 faculty members and students have been protesting the university’s decision to fold, each risking admonishment or worse from the administration. Many have been writing publicly against their bosses. That is courage. That is solidarity. It’s a 90-minute train ride from New Haven to Manhattan. One would have hoped Yale professors upset with Columbia would join their colleagues on the streets of Morningside Heights rather than drive up the Queen Elizabeth Way to Toronto."
Well said.
Pic: Blue Heron on the banks by the rapids of The Red Cedar.
19 comments:
The guys and I were just talking yesterday about Barkley and all of his traits! Our furry friends, they are always in our hearts.
Nice.
I'm imagining the rest of that conversation- "Oh no, Scout was my DOG!" lol. Yes, I guess it's better to be specific about these things.
Nice to hear good things that are happening at universities. And... I'm sure L was not upset about a belated birthday present!
What is the political atmosphere like at your college? Or at your bigger neighbor MSU?
I have the same question as StephLove.
It's feeling like 1969 again, but more urgent and more intense, and with higher stakes.
I was both disappointed and relieved by Snyder et al's decampment. Wished he'd stayed here but I could really understand the position. So, Scout was a dog? I get it. I'm that way about Gypsy. Lovely heron sighting!
Awww the story about Scout! :…(
Gah the news is just so depressing and upsetting. I really need to ready On Tyranny. I am curious about the environment at your school as well. This has been a bleak week at work. I keep hoping someone will stand up to Trump but it seems unlikely.
Oh, you crying when you sit in silence, about your darling Scout and how much you miss him. Oh Maya, that really got me. I am right there with you, and sometimes my daily yoga is SO HARD, because it brings up so many feelings and how much I miss my Mulder. And every loss adds on to other losses, so missing Mulder reminds me that my father died in 2017, and my mother died in 2008, and of course my other darling dogs, Genevieve and Samantha. And I miss them all so much. Life is full of so much joy, and also so much loss.
My daughter really wants to get out of dodge and move to Canada, she worries that it's going to turn Nazi Germany here, and we will regret staying too long. I am more in the 'we must stay and fight' camp, but cannot honestly dismiss her fears as outside the realm of possibility, so tell her to figure out a way to make it happen if she needs to. Ted was born in Canada, so maybe there's a way. Ugh.
I love the photo you shared, it's lovely.
Barkley and your boys practically grew up together, I'm not surprised! XOXO
Thanks!
The look of horror on their faces, Jenny! I almost wanted to laugh. (A was working that night and was not at dinner--the scene was ripe for misunderstanding.)
We haven't attracted attention (knock on wood, I'm glad we're relatively small fry).
U of M has dismantled their multi-million dollar DEI program, but MSU is sort of doubling down on their commitment to diversity!
Nance, I said a bit more about my read of the climate here in today's update--but am not sure how long it can last. You're so right about the sense of urgency, especially if by "higher stakes" you're referring to the foundations of democracy itself.
Jeanie--Yes. No one can blame him for wanting to leave. It's very likely that he would have been an immediate target.
Lisa--I have been thinking of what this must mean for you at work too... I'm so mystified--whom is any of this supposed to benefit?
J, 💗💗💗💗💗
(I was going to say sorry I brought that up for you, but those are all beings you loved dearly and I want to honor your remembrance, not regret it.)
You and M are right about the Nazi fears--they're really not improbable, and it's good to have a safety plan. I have a SIL in Canada and we're not far from the border--I can be useful in helping or hosting your Maya too. XOXO
The answer is NO ONE! Markets are not political, generally speaking. They assess the benefits of policies. So when we experience a dramatic global sell-off, it shows that this is a terrible policy decision. It’s so frustrating!!! Our strategists basically had their minds blown when they figured out the basis for tariffs was trading deficits. It makes zero effing sense!! Ugh.
Exactly right Maya, no need to ever feel sorry about bringing up memories of my loved ones. Yes, the thoughts make me sad, but only because the loss is so profound. I am grateful to have had them all in my life.
Thank you for your thoughts/help regarding Canada. Let's hope that is never needed.
That's the answer I expected for your school, but I was interested to hear about the difference between UM and MSU, especially since UM has the more liberal reputation. I wonder if that it, actually, that it makes them feel in the spotlight and in response, they caved.
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