"We have to look people in the eye, to stop pretending like their fears don’t exist, or that the mere presence of confusion and even animosity means that someone is certainly out of reach" - Ain't that the truth.
Sprant, you don’t have a slow brain, you have a thorough brain that needs to dissect and dismantle and find reasons and answers. Sometimes, unfortunately, the reasons are saddening and the answers partial at best.
Fear. Every bit of what’s happening is rooted in fear, on all sides. You’re so right. It’s fear upon fear upon fear. It’s easy to spot other people’s fears through their prejudices. Spotting our own can be more difficult. I’m trying to let my fear be my motivator. Calling my congresspeople daily because I’d so afraid for my 21-year-old queer kid living in Missouri makes me feel like I have some power—because I do, even when I don’t feel like it. We all do. The same thing that makes me want to curl up in my house with my cat is the same thing that is powerful enough to be a part of the change. In the words of Woody Guthrie, “Wake up and fight.” We much fight our own fear if we’re going to make room for the fears the opposition holds. Thanks so much for your words and insight. We need it.
I saw this happen to someone at my workplace, who voiced something on Twitter that others both inside and outside our company took to mean that he himself supports Trump's racist, sexist, fascist agenda. He absorbed so much public vitriol, hate, nasty blows, that overwhelmed him personally, to the point where he was driven off Twitter and many friend groups. I knew he voted for Trump, but I also knew him as a kind, thoughtful, *artistic* and wildly creative person and designer, someone whom I trusted and still trust as a generous, big-hearted guy. I don't know what attracted him to Trump -- we chose not to engage in politics, as the topic was too raw and potentially damaging, and I wasn't ready to engage in that way yet, although he knew I was and have always a Democrat with a strong progressive streak. But what I knew about *him* is that he was more than the person he voted for, and that whatever drew him to Trump, it *wasn't* about sexism, racism, anti-Semitism (he himself is an observant, although not Orthodox Jew), anti-immigration, or even anti-choice. Whatever drew him to Trump, it wasn't a mirror of Trump's policies.
I do think that we (progressives, Democrats) have the right to feel anger towards those who voted for Trump this last time. I still feel that anger. But I 1000% agree that shutting them out, yelling over their fears, ignoring the root causes of what drove them to stake their future in that proto-Fascist -- it's never as easy as saying as "well, they're just racist", and I speak as an immigrant brown person who has experienced my share of racism -- is not what is going to persuade them to join us on the side of right and good.
My neighbors are mostly kind people. They go out of their way to help each other. When they see a loose dog in the street they will stop everything and knock on doors until the Good Boy gets home. They are generous at Halloween, they share tools, they recycle. But when I go for walks after dusk before they close the shades I can see (and sometimes hear) their giant televisions booming out hate every single night. The things they’re afraid of might not be real, but their fear is. We won’t get anywhere with them until we acknowledge that.
Well said. Many of us are still too stunned by the turn of events that seemed unimaginable. But, the problem won’t go away if we continue treating it as a scab that will heal itself rather than as the insidious virus that it truly is. Right now, I’m reading a book called Foolproof by Sander Van Der Linden. It was published in 2023, but it might be even more relevant today, as this nightmare plays out. The book jacket states, “Deconstructing characteristic techniques of conspiracies and misinformation, (the author) gives readers practical tools to defend themselves and others against nefarious persuasion—whether at scale or around their own dinner table.” Although temporarily tempted, I’m not giving up, because I know in my heart that kindness and love will eventually prevail. xoxo
Alan, what exactly are you trying to achieve here? You don't seem interested in genuine engagement with people with opposing views; rather, you desire to stir the pot with thought fragments you hope will upset people. I won't ask, "Don't you have anything better to do?" because, certainly, you must. You're a retired teacher (an admirable and underappreciated profession, btw) posting comments riddled with typos and grammatical errors, which leads me to believe that you aren't in a sober state of mind for your commentary. In all sincerity, are you ok?
Alan — Light is warmth. Illumination. Consolation. Love. It’s not to be mocked. Spencer has a lot of it if you need some. I think most of us here would be happy to give you a hug. If you don’t need light and hugs. Ok. Good luck. On the other hand if you have any light at all it might feel better to share it. It’s really the best thing to do when you’re afraid. You seem afraid. Are you? Don’t be. No one here has any interest in hurting you.
I thought we were talking about shining some light on you Alan. Are you trying to tell us you’re the wrong thing to aim love at? I don’t buy it. I bet you struggle with darkness.
Sorry about Grammy, but doesn’t change the greatness of the album!
I have found comfort in early Dylan recordings, very relevant to our times. Masters of War and Oxford Town really hit me. I think you’d also enjoy re-listening to these tunes. Also love Mud. Take care
This seems so obvious but it is so hard for me to see past my anger at people who were willfully oblivious about what the current administration was clearly saying they planned to do over the last several years. You’re 100% right, though. I know you’re not a “calling people out” guy, but I appreciate you calling me out on this one anyway. I needed to hear this, and I need to do better.
(You all looked great at the Grammys and I was very sad you didn’t win! Do Grammys chips taste any different than proletariat chips?)
Fear of fear is the worst fear of all the fears. At one time in my life I felt it frequently, and was so overcome by it I could barely function. Then one day I got so sick of it’s debilitating cold claws clutching at me that if guess I got angry at it. I remember as I felt that chill creeping up turning within and facing it and saying “Bring it on! Is this the best you can do! Come on give me more fear! Make me feel worse…… make me feel completely frozen!” And believe it or not it receded.
Like by looking it square in the eye and facing it took its power away. And I felt it leave. And that felt good……
Next time I felt it clawing back I did the same thing and again a couple more times with the strength of each attack at me becoming less and less . In a very short time it was gone altogether. Facing it fearlessly drove that fear away. Don’t know how but it worked for me.
It’s sure worth a try!!
Also Spencer I recently recommended a little book written post WW2 to your dad. It’s all about ideas. And how much strength they have in making things happen. Thought provoking and just as relevant today 80 years later. “Ideas Have Legs” by Peter Howard. Published by Frederick Muller (who I incorrectly quoted to him as the author).
I think you both would appreciate the concepts within this little story.
Take heart. Hope is also an idea that can have legs and move mountains.💖
"We have to look people in the eye, to stop pretending like their fears don’t exist, or that the mere presence of confusion and even animosity means that someone is certainly out of reach" - Ain't that the truth.
Sprant, you don’t have a slow brain, you have a thorough brain that needs to dissect and dismantle and find reasons and answers. Sometimes, unfortunately, the reasons are saddening and the answers partial at best.
Keep doing what you’re doing. ❤️
Fear. Every bit of what’s happening is rooted in fear, on all sides. You’re so right. It’s fear upon fear upon fear. It’s easy to spot other people’s fears through their prejudices. Spotting our own can be more difficult. I’m trying to let my fear be my motivator. Calling my congresspeople daily because I’d so afraid for my 21-year-old queer kid living in Missouri makes me feel like I have some power—because I do, even when I don’t feel like it. We all do. The same thing that makes me want to curl up in my house with my cat is the same thing that is powerful enough to be a part of the change. In the words of Woody Guthrie, “Wake up and fight.” We much fight our own fear if we’re going to make room for the fears the opposition holds. Thanks so much for your words and insight. We need it.
I saw this happen to someone at my workplace, who voiced something on Twitter that others both inside and outside our company took to mean that he himself supports Trump's racist, sexist, fascist agenda. He absorbed so much public vitriol, hate, nasty blows, that overwhelmed him personally, to the point where he was driven off Twitter and many friend groups. I knew he voted for Trump, but I also knew him as a kind, thoughtful, *artistic* and wildly creative person and designer, someone whom I trusted and still trust as a generous, big-hearted guy. I don't know what attracted him to Trump -- we chose not to engage in politics, as the topic was too raw and potentially damaging, and I wasn't ready to engage in that way yet, although he knew I was and have always a Democrat with a strong progressive streak. But what I knew about *him* is that he was more than the person he voted for, and that whatever drew him to Trump, it *wasn't* about sexism, racism, anti-Semitism (he himself is an observant, although not Orthodox Jew), anti-immigration, or even anti-choice. Whatever drew him to Trump, it wasn't a mirror of Trump's policies.
I do think that we (progressives, Democrats) have the right to feel anger towards those who voted for Trump this last time. I still feel that anger. But I 1000% agree that shutting them out, yelling over their fears, ignoring the root causes of what drove them to stake their future in that proto-Fascist -- it's never as easy as saying as "well, they're just racist", and I speak as an immigrant brown person who has experienced my share of racism -- is not what is going to persuade them to join us on the side of right and good.
You’re right.
My neighbors are mostly kind people. They go out of their way to help each other. When they see a loose dog in the street they will stop everything and knock on doors until the Good Boy gets home. They are generous at Halloween, they share tools, they recycle. But when I go for walks after dusk before they close the shades I can see (and sometimes hear) their giant televisions booming out hate every single night. The things they’re afraid of might not be real, but their fear is. We won’t get anywhere with them until we acknowledge that.
Well said. Many of us are still too stunned by the turn of events that seemed unimaginable. But, the problem won’t go away if we continue treating it as a scab that will heal itself rather than as the insidious virus that it truly is. Right now, I’m reading a book called Foolproof by Sander Van Der Linden. It was published in 2023, but it might be even more relevant today, as this nightmare plays out. The book jacket states, “Deconstructing characteristic techniques of conspiracies and misinformation, (the author) gives readers practical tools to defend themselves and others against nefarious persuasion—whether at scale or around their own dinner table.” Although temporarily tempted, I’m not giving up, because I know in my heart that kindness and love will eventually prevail. xoxo
Oh, and another song comes to mind. One Tin Soldier by The Original Caste.
Don'tlook the gift house in the v mouth. Or he might bite. Amazing things are getting done. RAPIDAMENTE
Alan, what exactly are you trying to achieve here? You don't seem interested in genuine engagement with people with opposing views; rather, you desire to stir the pot with thought fragments you hope will upset people. I won't ask, "Don't you have anything better to do?" because, certainly, you must. You're a retired teacher (an admirable and underappreciated profession, btw) posting comments riddled with typos and grammatical errors, which leads me to believe that you aren't in a sober state of mind for your commentary. In all sincerity, are you ok?
Thank you, Spencer. Make no mistake, you are a part of Team Light, which we need so desperately. Stay bright. I love you.
The light needs a new bulb
Alan — Light is warmth. Illumination. Consolation. Love. It’s not to be mocked. Spencer has a lot of it if you need some. I think most of us here would be happy to give you a hug. If you don’t need light and hugs. Ok. Good luck. On the other hand if you have any light at all it might feel better to share it. It’s really the best thing to do when you’re afraid. You seem afraid. Are you? Don’t be. No one here has any interest in hurting you.
Sincerely OxO
I think you should close your shows with What Light for the foreseeable future.
Thanks, "Dad." <3
Light is often shed on the wrong things
I thought we were talking about shining some light on you Alan. Are you trying to tell us you’re the wrong thing to aim love at? I don’t buy it. I bet you struggle with darkness.
Sorry about Grammy, but doesn’t change the greatness of the album!
I have found comfort in early Dylan recordings, very relevant to our times. Masters of War and Oxford Town really hit me. I think you’d also enjoy re-listening to these tunes. Also love Mud. Take care
“Ignoring them doesn’t magically resolve them.”
This seems so obvious but it is so hard for me to see past my anger at people who were willfully oblivious about what the current administration was clearly saying they planned to do over the last several years. You’re 100% right, though. I know you’re not a “calling people out” guy, but I appreciate you calling me out on this one anyway. I needed to hear this, and I need to do better.
(You all looked great at the Grammys and I was very sad you didn’t win! Do Grammys chips taste any different than proletariat chips?)
Congratulations on your nomination, Spencer. It's great to see your career really taking off.
I love the pic of you and Sammy. Grammy veterans, both.
Had never heard that Charles Wright song…songs like that are as close to going to church as I get…thanks!
Love the Link cover. Much love!
Spencer, please be the one!!!
Our charismatic-righteous leader !!!
❤️
Brilliant and courageous.
Waiting for Batman.....
Fear of fear is the worst fear of all the fears. At one time in my life I felt it frequently, and was so overcome by it I could barely function. Then one day I got so sick of it’s debilitating cold claws clutching at me that if guess I got angry at it. I remember as I felt that chill creeping up turning within and facing it and saying “Bring it on! Is this the best you can do! Come on give me more fear! Make me feel worse…… make me feel completely frozen!” And believe it or not it receded.
Like by looking it square in the eye and facing it took its power away. And I felt it leave. And that felt good……
Next time I felt it clawing back I did the same thing and again a couple more times with the strength of each attack at me becoming less and less . In a very short time it was gone altogether. Facing it fearlessly drove that fear away. Don’t know how but it worked for me.
It’s sure worth a try!!
Also Spencer I recently recommended a little book written post WW2 to your dad. It’s all about ideas. And how much strength they have in making things happen. Thought provoking and just as relevant today 80 years later. “Ideas Have Legs” by Peter Howard. Published by Frederick Muller (who I incorrectly quoted to him as the author).
I think you both would appreciate the concepts within this little story.
Take heart. Hope is also an idea that can have legs and move mountains.💖