My experience is that we are dealing with a large segment of our population who will cling to their own set of facts unable to distinguish them from lies. Sorry if that sounds elitist , but crucial thinking skills are not acquired at birth, it takes a lifetime of effort.
Agreed, Tom. And I thnk that is complicated by the great shift in sense of sel that happens when we acknowledge the underlying white supremacy of our belief systems and our institutions. Who am I, who is America if not white, entitled, chosen. Oh the self shatters.
Kathleen, My first draft was edited down by Kathy. In the original I started be saying... and then dear Aunt Harriet replies to your sincere statement with.... Oh dear Kathleen, President Trump will remove those Africans and return us to the Maine we lost upon their arrival...
Thinking of community, whether it be at the Thanksgiving meal, or nationwide, reminds me of a poster of H.H the Dalai Lama, that has this quote from him:
"Out of my experience, I tell my friends wherever I go about the importance of love and compassion. Deep down we must have real affection for each other, a clear realization or recognition of our shared human status."
I've had that poster on my wall for over thirty years and have written about the necessity of maintaining compassion even in the midst of the fires of anger and righteous opposition to the harmful people of this world.
And you too K.! Another similar quote (not from the Bible) from.the Desert Fathers goes something like this. "We have taken up the heavy burden which is that of reprehending the faults of others, and spurn the light burden which is that of rejoicing in the virtues of our brothers.". Or something like that, my memory is not what it was!
I was so looking forward to your return, after trying to ignore meaningless election summations and finger-pointing, and after wondering (despairing really) how on earth any of this makes sense. You write with such clarity, heart, and inspiration, allowing me to take a step or two back, and then allowing me to see a path forward. My initial response was to shut it all out, but (thankfully) I’ve come around to knowing I must do what I can, where I am, and with what I’ve got-to both cope and resist. So, thank you!
And I continue to look forward to your essays!
With gratitude and best wishes to you and your family,
Kathleen, thank you for this piece! It is so full of empathy and wisdom. You found the words I wanted to hear as I think about moving forward in this election. I have also been trying to write about empathy, the election, and the connections they have to Hurricane Helene. Here's my most recent attempt to grapple with all the mess, in hopes it might be as helpful in your thinking as your post was for me. https://riahnewfont.substack.com/p/oil-and-water
My experience is that we are dealing with a large segment of our population who will cling to their own set of facts unable to distinguish them from lies. Sorry if that sounds elitist , but crucial thinking skills are not acquired at birth, it takes a lifetime of effort.
Agreed, Tom. And I thnk that is complicated by the great shift in sense of sel that happens when we acknowledge the underlying white supremacy of our belief systems and our institutions. Who am I, who is America if not white, entitled, chosen. Oh the self shatters.
Kathleen, My first draft was edited down by Kathy. In the original I started be saying... and then dear Aunt Harriet replies to your sincere statement with.... Oh dear Kathleen, President Trump will remove those Africans and return us to the Maine we lost upon their arrival...
YUp. I think there's a lot of reason why critical thinking is blocked!
Thinking of community, whether it be at the Thanksgiving meal, or nationwide, reminds me of a poster of H.H the Dalai Lama, that has this quote from him:
"Out of my experience, I tell my friends wherever I go about the importance of love and compassion. Deep down we must have real affection for each other, a clear realization or recognition of our shared human status."
I've had that poster on my wall for over thirty years and have written about the necessity of maintaining compassion even in the midst of the fires of anger and righteous opposition to the harmful people of this world.
Oh I want that poster! Good to hear from you Michael.
And you too K.! Another similar quote (not from the Bible) from.the Desert Fathers goes something like this. "We have taken up the heavy burden which is that of reprehending the faults of others, and spurn the light burden which is that of rejoicing in the virtues of our brothers.". Or something like that, my memory is not what it was!
Thank you for sharing your insights and gifts--I needed to read this today. Sending you and yours much love.
Oh Bob. Hello. So nice to imagine you there at the other side of the country, connecting over this code red table.
Thank you Kathleen/Kitty!
I was so looking forward to your return, after trying to ignore meaningless election summations and finger-pointing, and after wondering (despairing really) how on earth any of this makes sense. You write with such clarity, heart, and inspiration, allowing me to take a step or two back, and then allowing me to see a path forward. My initial response was to shut it all out, but (thankfully) I’ve come around to knowing I must do what I can, where I am, and with what I’ve got-to both cope and resist. So, thank you!
And I continue to look forward to your essays!
With gratitude and best wishes to you and your family,
Maureen Casey
Kathleen, thank you for this piece! It is so full of empathy and wisdom. You found the words I wanted to hear as I think about moving forward in this election. I have also been trying to write about empathy, the election, and the connections they have to Hurricane Helene. Here's my most recent attempt to grapple with all the mess, in hopes it might be as helpful in your thinking as your post was for me. https://riahnewfont.substack.com/p/oil-and-water
Thank you Kitty, and Kathleen. Happy Thanksgiving 🙏
could have been with Brother Steve