So do I. The simple fact that we've more in common than not is completely gone. I grew up in a huge family. My mom had 13 siblings, and the get-togethers were like conventions. And the arguments over politics and religion were epic. Despite that, they always ended with, "I love ya. Scratch Fido when you get home. Call me." Now, you're disowned by your sister if you voted for the wrong candidate.
Great interview. You’re inspiring! I like the point that even in the last 20 years, safety has improved a lot for black people and gay people, throughout the entire country. I’m currently in urban CA dealing with an arts culture on pins and needles for micro-aggressions. This in itself quickly becomes a micro-aggression, in my opinion. Do you have any thoughts on the “introduce yourself with pronouns” custom that has taken over arts/college spaces recently? I have close trans friends and I don’t think this helps them. I think it’s more faux-liberalism that alienates, stratifies and confuses people.
Tim, I have a lot of thoughts on the pronoun genuflecting. When a 65-year old white male colleague named George -- who has never in his life been mistaken for a woman -- feels compelled to include “he/him” in his email signature, the gesture seems more performative than informative. I agree wholeheartedly that this faux liberalism (which also manifests in our racial discourse) doesn’t foster an inclusive environment; instead, it confuses and divides us.
I believe it’s possible for us to recognize and appreciate our differences without allowing them to define who we are and how we relate to one another. I, too, work in the arts (the entertainment industry), and I am acutely aware of the hypersensitivity to potential micro-aggressions. It’s become oppressive and regressive.
You might be interested in an organization that I am active in, the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR), that is dedicated to healing the divide and celebrating our shared humanity:
FAIR has recently embarked on a project to advocate for literary journals to have uniform submission guidelines for all authors an artist who submit their work, regardless of skin color or ancestry. This effort came from a tip from an author who discovered concerning information across several federally funded journals.
http://Submittable.com is an online platform that journals use to receive submissions for publication. The company's customer terms of use require it to represent that it is not violating the rights of any third parties. Federally-funded journals are required to follow Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and FAIR has identified 17 journals that that are in violation based on Submittable’s terms of use.
FAIR has drafted an open letter to the CEO of http://submittable.com asking him to hold his journal customers accountable. We are seeking inaugural signatories in signing our open letter to Submittable.
If you’re interested, I would love to share more information with you. We’re trying to get as much support as possible from like-minded individuals in the arts.
Hi Monica, thank you so much for your reply. My main work is in natural healing/bodywork (merely acting in a semi-pro company’s production right now) but am impressed with FAIR’s mandate and work with Submittable. I’ll send you my email in case you think I could be of help.
This is a great interview—thank you for posting it. What you said about the media manufacturing much of the perception of division and extremism was particularly helpful to me. Thank you! And please keep shining your very bright light on “the illusion of division.”
Have been saying for years until the KKK and BLM can sit together and realize their common adversaries, we will not get real progress. You are so much further down the track than my musings. Do not know how I got so lucky, out of all the messages to hear today, I got yours.
Fabulous interview! Your perspective is so sensible and rings so clear and true. I hope it's heard far and wide!
So do I. The simple fact that we've more in common than not is completely gone. I grew up in a huge family. My mom had 13 siblings, and the get-togethers were like conventions. And the arguments over politics and religion were epic. Despite that, they always ended with, "I love ya. Scratch Fido when you get home. Call me." Now, you're disowned by your sister if you voted for the wrong candidate.
It was a great and hopeful interview. Lead the revolution and I will follow, and I will get others to follow!
Great interview. You’re inspiring! I like the point that even in the last 20 years, safety has improved a lot for black people and gay people, throughout the entire country. I’m currently in urban CA dealing with an arts culture on pins and needles for micro-aggressions. This in itself quickly becomes a micro-aggression, in my opinion. Do you have any thoughts on the “introduce yourself with pronouns” custom that has taken over arts/college spaces recently? I have close trans friends and I don’t think this helps them. I think it’s more faux-liberalism that alienates, stratifies and confuses people.
Tim, I have a lot of thoughts on the pronoun genuflecting. When a 65-year old white male colleague named George -- who has never in his life been mistaken for a woman -- feels compelled to include “he/him” in his email signature, the gesture seems more performative than informative. I agree wholeheartedly that this faux liberalism (which also manifests in our racial discourse) doesn’t foster an inclusive environment; instead, it confuses and divides us.
I believe it’s possible for us to recognize and appreciate our differences without allowing them to define who we are and how we relate to one another. I, too, work in the arts (the entertainment industry), and I am acutely aware of the hypersensitivity to potential micro-aggressions. It’s become oppressive and regressive.
You might be interested in an organization that I am active in, the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR), that is dedicated to healing the divide and celebrating our shared humanity:
https://www.fairforall.org
FAIR has recently embarked on a project to advocate for literary journals to have uniform submission guidelines for all authors an artist who submit their work, regardless of skin color or ancestry. This effort came from a tip from an author who discovered concerning information across several federally funded journals.
http://Submittable.com is an online platform that journals use to receive submissions for publication. The company's customer terms of use require it to represent that it is not violating the rights of any third parties. Federally-funded journals are required to follow Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and FAIR has identified 17 journals that that are in violation based on Submittable’s terms of use.
FAIR has drafted an open letter to the CEO of http://submittable.com asking him to hold his journal customers accountable. We are seeking inaugural signatories in signing our open letter to Submittable.
If you’re interested, I would love to share more information with you. We’re trying to get as much support as possible from like-minded individuals in the arts.
Cheers,
Monica
Hi Monica, thank you so much for your reply. My main work is in natural healing/bodywork (merely acting in a semi-pro company’s production right now) but am impressed with FAIR’s mandate and work with Submittable. I’ll send you my email in case you think I could be of help.
This is a great interview—thank you for posting it. What you said about the media manufacturing much of the perception of division and extremism was particularly helpful to me. Thank you! And please keep shining your very bright light on “the illusion of division.”
Oh, excellent. Really like this interview. Breath o' fresh air.
Wonderful! You were so calm and lucid. Here's to critical mass burgeoning quickly! Thank you for your voice. 🌻
Have been saying for years until the KKK and BLM can sit together and realize their common adversaries, we will not get real progress. You are so much further down the track than my musings. Do not know how I got so lucky, out of all the messages to hear today, I got yours.
Will restack, more in common, YUP! Thanks Monica.
(That interviewer was no slouch either)
Love this on so many levels. Thank you for sharing your journey!
Love this on so many levels. Thank you for sharing your journey!