A beautiful book, Sonya Renee Taylor's The Body is Not an Apology, for a bookclub via the college librarians. I've been trying to get students to sign up for it, but so far it's all faculty and staff.
It's a 2018 book, so it's unaware of the 2026 avatar of horror... But she uses what she calls "The Donald" to distinguish beautifully between people who think highly of themselves and radical self love: "Even if we were to surmise that Trump and others like him are acting from an exaggerated lack of selfesteem or confidence, I think we can agree not much of their attitudes or actions feel like love." Absolutely!
Is anyone seeing the info being released from the Epstein Files? What is this horror? I have all this grief and anger about the children harmed (killed?) and how so many people who have patriarchal power in our society--presidents, billionaires, writers, gurus--seem to have been involved. And now... nothing. No accountability. No consequences. How have we not risen up to expel them? Why are clowns asking that we stop attacking pedophiles?! Why are so many university folks connected to this? Larry Summers has always been disgusting, but Noam Chomsky? Poetry prof Elisa New?
Pic: That's supposed to be the The Red Cedar, but it just looks like a a solid vastness of snow and ice. I miss when everything was brighter and warmer. Apparently, there's more coming. Do. Not. Want. Another snow storm. Another snowmageddon. I haven't even recovered from the last one. Walk with L yesterday.
14 comments:
It's horrifying, but also confusing because of the sheer volume of information, which makes it difficult to sort through.
Sad.
We all miss everything warmer and brighter. More coming, too. This winter feels interminable, but on the other hand, I see photos from elsewhere and think "it could be worse." The book sounds excellent. And I'm with you on the Epstein stuff. Most I've heard on news but have taken a look and almost wish I didn't. It's just appalling and even worse, there is, as you mentioned, no accountability. Every day. Worse and worse.
The lack of accountability is so discouraging, but unfortunately I am not surprised in the least. And the people involved…again, not surprised. I remember being so angry when one of my favorite authors, Milan Kundera, signed that fucking letter in support of Roman Polanski. Then when the Me Too movement was strong, information about Charlie Rose and others being asshole abusers. It no longer surprises me, I’m sorry to say. People can say and do great things, and also apparently be monsters.
That excerpt you provided is so spot-on.
I agree with J's last statement in her comment. It reminds me of Daniel and the dream of the statue from the Bible in which the huge, glorious statue had a head of gold but feet of clay. A lot of people who I've admired and looked up to have disappointed me--especially when I find out where their politics lay or their attitudes toward women, races, or gender identities. It makes for some truly difficult decisions.
Let's stop attacking pedophiles? For Christ's sweet sake. Unfortunately I am sort of in the 'nothing surprises me anymore' camp. Someone said an actor 'seemed like a really good guy' the other day and I just can't say things like that anymore because too many times it's just such a crushing disappointment. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely - this seems truer now than it ever did. And even powerful people who are repelled by these actions are still caught in the structures that made them possible.
Anyway. It snowed a lot AGAIN and it is very cold, but the sun is out and I'm going to bundle up and go for at least a short walk.
Oh wow that book. I thought I was just going to read a short description, but then realized the entire book is available and read several pages. I love it.
Steph, I get in in small bits on social media--someone else has done the work of combing through them.. and it's appalling and horrifying.
Yes!
Jeanie, This is not your usual bright tone, and I'm sorry I've brought you down.
I have hope that we can bring some of these horrible people down.
All of this, J... It's dizzying how much of this society seems to be built off the pain of women and children. Polanski 🤢. Everyday, I learn of someone new who supports him. This week it was Tarantino, some of whose movies I used to enjoy.
I need to have a long conversation with you about this Nance. It's nothing compared to the pain to the victims ignored for decades... but there is definitely a crisis of faith brewing.
I hope you had a good walk, Allison! (I also heard a clip of someone challenging a radio host to clarify "what is wrong with pedophilia?" and then crow when the host didn't have an immediate answer. We really are living in the end times.)
Yes, Jenny! Such a lovely book... can't wait to share it with Nicole when she's back!
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