I love how your return to Substack, at a time when I knew such an app existed, gives me access to your writing which seems to miraculously align with my own values and hopes and wishes. I've been reading more than I have in my life, and I'm expanding my worldview and carving out a model which I think is essential for me to live a life of value and conscience. The fact these articles give me joy and comfort and strength is very special for me.
Agree, whole heartedly, with all you have written, Jeanette. Yet, sage advice usually falls on the ears of the converted. As a relief teacher (of both secondary and primary schools), I attempt to make my teaching relevant to the environment and world, and especially to be a critical thinker. As I have discovered, especially in small country schools, principals get to impose their non-inclusive views on gender, history and religion. Most teachers I come across focus on an unrealistic curriculum and seldom show care or interest in what's happening around them and in the world. Having moved from a major city in New South Wales to a regional service town in a northern state of Australia for the purpose of affordable housing, I now live in an ignorant, conservative, parochial, and patriarchal community and state; and that frightens me.
A big element I find is that people try to find certainty, make themselves heard or debate their opinions online. The real, honest and important stuff absolutely must be taken offline and into the real world. The internet was once a beacon of hope, but I believe it will be the catalyst to end all of our freedoms and our future. Unless people take their intentions and actually DO something in the world for the good if all, then it's futile.
Thank you for your comment, Amy Marie. I understand the feelings that arise when leaving family due to differences. While it feels 'wrong' or unfamiliar at the time it's a good sign you're on the right track. Good wishes to you! 🙂
Are you quite sure Jeanette? You're one of the brightest and best thinkers and writers we have so , if you haven't, then I'd urge you to read up on the anarchist green revolutionaries of Rojava and the notion of Jineology, that places women's freedom as the marker of a countries freedom. Anarchy is a term much abused in the west to signify disorder but in it's purest form it can produce beautiful collaborative societys. (Though Rojava is currently under horrible threat in Northern Syrian while the world turns its gaze away as it so often does).
A wonderful read but it’s so sad that someone like Trump takes up so much of our time and energy as he basks in ignorance and and tramples on the world. I wish everyone would stop talking about him.
Thank you. I feel I'm in a stormy sea of either battle cries or denial over here. I am depending on the rules to hold the ship in the storm. To carve out a quiet spot to ask myself how do I feel? or what truly can I do? seems almost impossible but reading this asks me to do just that and make it possible somewhere in the middle of this......
"Bullying is not okay and it starts with us" -- thank you! Also, delighted to see you here on Substack, I LOVED your novels, especially The Powerbook and Written on the Body. I grew just from reading them. Thank you for writing them and this!
Reading today, I homed in on this from a piece published in 1929:
"...when a subject is highly controversial...one cannot hope to tell the truth. One can only show how one came to hold whatever opinion....One can only give one's audience the chance of drawing their own conclusions....Fiction here is likely to contain more truth than fact."
Yes, the fightback is up to us.
I would say through connection, curiosity and creativity. I think the latter might relate to the "fiction" of the quote.
wonderfully cogent - and so true - it is critical we flex our muscles where we can - it may not be big loud gestures - yet we all have a choice on who we are and how we interact with our worlds.
That phrase 'rule of law' seems to come up a lot lately, actually a diminution of the concept of democracy, which includes many facets, not just that we have laws we hope most will abide by. [To 'keep us safe' - another sometimes genuine, possibly sinister weasel phrase].
One used to hear politicians trumpeting that we [say, European nations] are proud of our democracies, now we just hear 'proud that we have rule of law'. An interesting one in our country where voting is mandatory as we head to the Australian federal election on Saturday.
The American cowboy independent man has always been a myth made for morons. We do, and should, follow the light of our own values and passions. But wherever you're going, whatever you're carrying in your car, you have to drive on the road with everybody else. Have I mentioned that I love Jeanette Winterson's books with a burning joy?
Yes. Thank you. This is an issue that is real for all of us. Making choices and being willing to take the consequences. Choice is the peristolsis that moves us through time and space. Consequences the creation that evolves from it. We can never avoid the results. By consciously choosing we can at least have personal autonomy, in a network of others called the Web of Life. The trick is to learn from the outcomes.
I love how your return to Substack, at a time when I knew such an app existed, gives me access to your writing which seems to miraculously align with my own values and hopes and wishes. I've been reading more than I have in my life, and I'm expanding my worldview and carving out a model which I think is essential for me to live a life of value and conscience. The fact these articles give me joy and comfort and strength is very special for me.
So well said! Thank you for looking at our world situation and expressing this in a calm, kind voice. I will read and reread this many times.
To stay true to our own values is definitely a form of resistance.
Your email appears like a life buoy each week- thank you!
Agree, whole heartedly, with all you have written, Jeanette. Yet, sage advice usually falls on the ears of the converted. As a relief teacher (of both secondary and primary schools), I attempt to make my teaching relevant to the environment and world, and especially to be a critical thinker. As I have discovered, especially in small country schools, principals get to impose their non-inclusive views on gender, history and religion. Most teachers I come across focus on an unrealistic curriculum and seldom show care or interest in what's happening around them and in the world. Having moved from a major city in New South Wales to a regional service town in a northern state of Australia for the purpose of affordable housing, I now live in an ignorant, conservative, parochial, and patriarchal community and state; and that frightens me.
A big element I find is that people try to find certainty, make themselves heard or debate their opinions online. The real, honest and important stuff absolutely must be taken offline and into the real world. The internet was once a beacon of hope, but I believe it will be the catalyst to end all of our freedoms and our future. Unless people take their intentions and actually DO something in the world for the good if all, then it's futile.
Thank you for your comment, Amy Marie. I understand the feelings that arise when leaving family due to differences. While it feels 'wrong' or unfamiliar at the time it's a good sign you're on the right track. Good wishes to you! 🙂
"Anarchy isn’t the answer."
Are you quite sure Jeanette? You're one of the brightest and best thinkers and writers we have so , if you haven't, then I'd urge you to read up on the anarchist green revolutionaries of Rojava and the notion of Jineology, that places women's freedom as the marker of a countries freedom. Anarchy is a term much abused in the west to signify disorder but in it's purest form it can produce beautiful collaborative societys. (Though Rojava is currently under horrible threat in Northern Syrian while the world turns its gaze away as it so often does).
I appreciate this framework for carrying ourselves forward with integrity. Thank you!
A wonderful read but it’s so sad that someone like Trump takes up so much of our time and energy as he basks in ignorance and and tramples on the world. I wish everyone would stop talking about him.
This clarity of thought is really helpful. Thank you.
Thank you. I feel I'm in a stormy sea of either battle cries or denial over here. I am depending on the rules to hold the ship in the storm. To carve out a quiet spot to ask myself how do I feel? or what truly can I do? seems almost impossible but reading this asks me to do just that and make it possible somewhere in the middle of this......
"Bullying is not okay and it starts with us" -- thank you! Also, delighted to see you here on Substack, I LOVED your novels, especially The Powerbook and Written on the Body. I grew just from reading them. Thank you for writing them and this!
Reading today, I homed in on this from a piece published in 1929:
"...when a subject is highly controversial...one cannot hope to tell the truth. One can only show how one came to hold whatever opinion....One can only give one's audience the chance of drawing their own conclusions....Fiction here is likely to contain more truth than fact."
Yes, the fightback is up to us.
I would say through connection, curiosity and creativity. I think the latter might relate to the "fiction" of the quote.
I've come here to experience creative thinking.
Dialogue resisting diatribe.
wonderfully cogent - and so true - it is critical we flex our muscles where we can - it may not be big loud gestures - yet we all have a choice on who we are and how we interact with our worlds.
Thanks Jeanette,
That phrase 'rule of law' seems to come up a lot lately, actually a diminution of the concept of democracy, which includes many facets, not just that we have laws we hope most will abide by. [To 'keep us safe' - another sometimes genuine, possibly sinister weasel phrase].
One used to hear politicians trumpeting that we [say, European nations] are proud of our democracies, now we just hear 'proud that we have rule of law'. An interesting one in our country where voting is mandatory as we head to the Australian federal election on Saturday.
The American cowboy independent man has always been a myth made for morons. We do, and should, follow the light of our own values and passions. But wherever you're going, whatever you're carrying in your car, you have to drive on the road with everybody else. Have I mentioned that I love Jeanette Winterson's books with a burning joy?
Yes. Thank you. This is an issue that is real for all of us. Making choices and being willing to take the consequences. Choice is the peristolsis that moves us through time and space. Consequences the creation that evolves from it. We can never avoid the results. By consciously choosing we can at least have personal autonomy, in a network of others called the Web of Life. The trick is to learn from the outcomes.