Given the current socio-political climate in America, I am not confident that these preferences will be honored. In fact, I’m concerned that what progress has been made in the last few decades will soon be undone. Therefore, I have compiled a list of charities that I believe will work to counter-balance the hatred and violence we’ve been seeing the last few weeks and the unconscionable policy decisions we will be seeing in the next four years.
“The process of election affords a moral certainty, that the office of President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications. Talents for low intrigue, and the little arts of popularity, may alone suffice to elevate a man to the first honors in a single State; but it will require other talents, and a different kind of merit, to establish him in the esteem and confidence of the whole Union, or of so considerable a portion of it as would be necessary to make him a successful candidate for the distinguished office of President of the United States.”
What interests me is the transition from meaningful, conscientious public reaction and outcry aimed at educating and improving us as a society into the vitriolic and vengeful hunger to destroy an individual’s life.
In the last week, three people I love and respect have shared Facebook posts that skip any attempt to rally the masses to fix systemic problems and jump right to shaming one specific person for being an example of said problems.
I think it’d be swell to have more than a two-party system, but I’m cool with the option before me this election. If you are not, and you genuinely give a crap about making a valid and valuable third party happen at the presidential level…
The reason a lot of my friends are getting in touch with me, sending me notes as if a family member has left me and asking if I’m okay, I think, is because I was blessed to have a special moment with Prince himself. It’s one that taught me that there was a whole other side to a man I thought I knew through his interviews and music and onstage persona. I share it not to brag, though it’s hands down #1 on my most rock’n’roll moments list and it’s certainly the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me. I share it because I think that the experience reinforces what the world is starting to understand about him as an everyday person.
First God, then rock, now this? According to a story in this week’s New York Times Magazine, adulthood is dead.
Nevermind that “[Concept] is dead” is the academic equivalent of click bait. In this case, the social media headline might read: “A respected New York Times cultural critic makes a bold statement. What he says will surprise you!” Unlike click bait, the content is indeed surprising and even worth reading; it’s also a bit off the mark.
Not just as a woman but as a human being, I appreciate and support all of the women and men out there who dig into gender issues, helping us to improve our thinking and keep us working toward true equality everywhere. It’s not normally an area I tend to write about. Maybe I’ve been a little overwhelmed by the vastness of the history. Maybe I’m afraid I’ll do more harm than good … and better to shut up than make things worse. Most likely I’ve been in a 15-year depression on the subject after writing an article about the rapes at Woodstock ’99.
Seth Meyers’ opening monologue of the 2014 Emmys was wonderful in many ways. But there was one joke in particular that grabbed me. It was truly brilliant in being funny… until I managed to think too hard about how true it is.
To whit:
“We had so many great shows submitted this year. We had comedies that made you laugh, and comedies that made you cry… because they were dramas submitted as comedies.”