Well said! I like what you wrote about how fear shows us what we care about. It's the contrast to our values. Being clear on our core values assists us in making decisions and taking actions.
I also think because the state of the world is so overwhelming and scary at the moment, knowing our values helps us hone in on what action to take.
Yes that's so true Janine--so much bombardment can be paralyzing--like when we get too many choices, we feel bewildered and choose nothing instead. I'm so glad you mentioned that.
I rarely think about the direct connection between sovereignty and creativity/ingenuity. Thanks! Appreciating the reminder that the best way to reinforce our sovereignty is through creativity.
It's been a long time since I read Audre Lorde--even though she's been having quite the revival--especially in the younger crowds. I'm going to see if I can find that at the library! Thanks Kathy!
Great perspective! At the source of all hatred is fear. So in these challenging times, I listen and watch the news daily and I pay attention to what's pushing my buttons, what's getting my ire up. It can be something different every day, believe me. Then I try to be in a quiet space. (This could be while I am fixing food and listening to soothing music), and I ask myself: "why is this bothering me, what is the source of my fear? Why am I angry? At who am I angry?" So for example: the current brouhaha over the "SAVE" Act. That this passed through the House with unanimous Republicans and an additional 4 Democrat's votes is infuriating. Now it's up to the Senate, where at least they will have to come up with 10 democrats to pass it. Why is this bothering me? Because I live in a red state, Indiana, a state that instituted required "star" license ids. I was divorced once and have had 4 different last names since birth as a result. I'm smart, I have resources, I have a husband with OCD (very handy...), so I managed to meet all their requirements with only two trips and a ton of pre-work investigation and gathering of documents my husband did. The SAVE Act in and of itself is an existential threat to the voting rights of women and all people who don't have the resources I have. And then, each state gets to decide what they will accept as proof of citizenship. But for sure if your birth certificate doesn't match your current last name (most married or divorced women), or if you have moved and have to reregister to vote in a different precinct, you are in for a rough ride. Even your "Star" license won't cover you. And a divorce decree is not considered a legal document for name changes, (in Indiana at lease). If they pass the SAVE act in the Senate so that it is law before the mid-terms, then we are in crisis. And the first effort towards Stepford wives, Trad Wives, Handmaiden's Tale women will be in place, before we even have a chance to vote in new house reps and senators with a BACKBONE. Ok, so I am sorry I ranted. This is however, a bipartisan issue. OK, so for sure my rights are being threatened. And I fear I will lose my right to vote. And I fear that most women will lose their right to vote. And that makes me angry. That's different from hatred. Anger can be transmuted to action, and so I am taking action on this in every way I can conceive.
Thank you so much for writing about this issue so clearly Lissa. It's HUGELY important. I actually didn't even realize 4 democrats also voted for it. And they are never straightforward--using "security" concerns to pass voting ID laws makes it all seem so reasonable to people who aren't really paying attention. I agree with everything you say here about it being a giant step toward a Stepford Wives/Trad Wife/Handmaid's Tale society. And anger is definitely not hatred. In fact, yours is fed by a love of your own life and human rights and the lives and human rights of other women. This can be such a powerful fuel for us in these precarious times.
Well said! I like what you wrote about how fear shows us what we care about. It's the contrast to our values. Being clear on our core values assists us in making decisions and taking actions.
I also think because the state of the world is so overwhelming and scary at the moment, knowing our values helps us hone in on what action to take.
thanks as always!
Yes that's so true Janine--so much bombardment can be paralyzing--like when we get too many choices, we feel bewildered and choose nothing instead. I'm so glad you mentioned that.
Exactly.
🩷🩷🩷 Eliza!
I rarely think about the direct connection between sovereignty and creativity/ingenuity. Thanks! Appreciating the reminder that the best way to reinforce our sovereignty is through creativity.
Thanks for talking about the emotions! In a reading group we were reading Audre Lorde, Sister Outsider, with great essays on these topics.
It's been a long time since I read Audre Lorde--even though she's been having quite the revival--especially in the younger crowds. I'm going to see if I can find that at the library! Thanks Kathy!
you covered it Sarah :) ... or, uncovered it...
Thank you Phyl! xo
Great perspective! At the source of all hatred is fear. So in these challenging times, I listen and watch the news daily and I pay attention to what's pushing my buttons, what's getting my ire up. It can be something different every day, believe me. Then I try to be in a quiet space. (This could be while I am fixing food and listening to soothing music), and I ask myself: "why is this bothering me, what is the source of my fear? Why am I angry? At who am I angry?" So for example: the current brouhaha over the "SAVE" Act. That this passed through the House with unanimous Republicans and an additional 4 Democrat's votes is infuriating. Now it's up to the Senate, where at least they will have to come up with 10 democrats to pass it. Why is this bothering me? Because I live in a red state, Indiana, a state that instituted required "star" license ids. I was divorced once and have had 4 different last names since birth as a result. I'm smart, I have resources, I have a husband with OCD (very handy...), so I managed to meet all their requirements with only two trips and a ton of pre-work investigation and gathering of documents my husband did. The SAVE Act in and of itself is an existential threat to the voting rights of women and all people who don't have the resources I have. And then, each state gets to decide what they will accept as proof of citizenship. But for sure if your birth certificate doesn't match your current last name (most married or divorced women), or if you have moved and have to reregister to vote in a different precinct, you are in for a rough ride. Even your "Star" license won't cover you. And a divorce decree is not considered a legal document for name changes, (in Indiana at lease). If they pass the SAVE act in the Senate so that it is law before the mid-terms, then we are in crisis. And the first effort towards Stepford wives, Trad Wives, Handmaiden's Tale women will be in place, before we even have a chance to vote in new house reps and senators with a BACKBONE. Ok, so I am sorry I ranted. This is however, a bipartisan issue. OK, so for sure my rights are being threatened. And I fear I will lose my right to vote. And I fear that most women will lose their right to vote. And that makes me angry. That's different from hatred. Anger can be transmuted to action, and so I am taking action on this in every way I can conceive.
Thank you so much for writing about this issue so clearly Lissa. It's HUGELY important. I actually didn't even realize 4 democrats also voted for it. And they are never straightforward--using "security" concerns to pass voting ID laws makes it all seem so reasonable to people who aren't really paying attention. I agree with everything you say here about it being a giant step toward a Stepford Wives/Trad Wife/Handmaid's Tale society. And anger is definitely not hatred. In fact, yours is fed by a love of your own life and human rights and the lives and human rights of other women. This can be such a powerful fuel for us in these precarious times.