Thank you, dear Mo. I can’t tell you how many times in the last few years I’ve said to myself, “Is it ok to ask that? To write that? To think that?” And then I catch how disquieting it is to weigh my own thoughts and earnest, good-faith questions inside my own head and heart as if they make me dirty and bad. It feels like there’s this collective agreement that we’re just going to amputate this essential part of our humanness — our curiosity — in order to stay “safe” and in-bounds.
Feeling again the tall fences I felt growing up smack in the zenith of conservative evangelicalism is unsettling; noticing more and more that those fences are being built and guarded by self-identified liberals, and just the sheer nonsense of some of the dogmatism — that’s been an entirely different emotional journey. Thank god for contemplative practice to return me to saner, steadier ground when I need it most, which is pretty much always these days.
Love this, Siri. I think those of us with experience questioning the religions in which we were raised are able to recognize the need to draw on those same skills in this moment. Love you and that sharp, soulful mind of yours.
I just read this on Tangle. Glad for the introduction, and I couldn't agree with you more.
I also think that it's so easy to think you're the only one with alternate views when we are so siloed by the algorithms. When one does have the courage to speak ones convictions, you often find that you are, in fact, part of the silent majority. Most of my views are extremely gray and nuanced, as I think are those of most people, so it's a shame we think we must express ourselves in black and white.
This is wonderful. Yet, I think you are wrong about one thing: it has been an exceptionally fertile time for artists—we just haven’t seen the fruits yet.
Too many artists have become dependent on the incentives. Their art is no longer true art. It’s entertainment. When they are ready to explore who they really are, they will return. Meanwhile, artists everywhere are awakening and being born. I think that never before has there been such a rich time of encouraging one to know oneself. Expression will follow. That is the art we all are craving now. And it is coming.
Thank you for helping me see myself. This is fantastic and so appreciated.
I recently watched Winston Marshall's speech at the Oxford Union Society, under the disapproving eye of Nancy Pelosi. Like some others who have been "cancelled" he isn't it letting it get him down but is integrating the experience, learning from it and reaching way more people now than before. It's really interesting, and heartening, to watch.
Thank you. Great read. I don’t have any insightful quips or resonating truths. Standing back and saying “nah I’m good” has been a complete shitter at times.
Thank you, dear Mo. I can’t tell you how many times in the last few years I’ve said to myself, “Is it ok to ask that? To write that? To think that?” And then I catch how disquieting it is to weigh my own thoughts and earnest, good-faith questions inside my own head and heart as if they make me dirty and bad. It feels like there’s this collective agreement that we’re just going to amputate this essential part of our humanness — our curiosity — in order to stay “safe” and in-bounds.
Feeling again the tall fences I felt growing up smack in the zenith of conservative evangelicalism is unsettling; noticing more and more that those fences are being built and guarded by self-identified liberals, and just the sheer nonsense of some of the dogmatism — that’s been an entirely different emotional journey. Thank god for contemplative practice to return me to saner, steadier ground when I need it most, which is pretty much always these days.
Love this, Siri. I think those of us with experience questioning the religions in which we were raised are able to recognize the need to draw on those same skills in this moment. Love you and that sharp, soulful mind of yours.
Your candor and incisive examination of our current condition are spot on… truth-telling puts us in a place of vulnerable courage. Thank you…
Thank you for the kind words, Mira! Hope you're doing well.
I just read this on Tangle. Glad for the introduction, and I couldn't agree with you more.
I also think that it's so easy to think you're the only one with alternate views when we are so siloed by the algorithms. When one does have the courage to speak ones convictions, you often find that you are, in fact, part of the silent majority. Most of my views are extremely gray and nuanced, as I think are those of most people, so it's a shame we think we must express ourselves in black and white.
Hear, hear Jane. Totally agree. Thanks for the thoughtful comment!
This is wonderful. Yet, I think you are wrong about one thing: it has been an exceptionally fertile time for artists—we just haven’t seen the fruits yet.
Too many artists have become dependent on the incentives. Their art is no longer true art. It’s entertainment. When they are ready to explore who they really are, they will return. Meanwhile, artists everywhere are awakening and being born. I think that never before has there been such a rich time of encouraging one to know oneself. Expression will follow. That is the art we all are craving now. And it is coming.
Thank you for helping me see myself. This is fantastic and so appreciated.
I love this optimism!! I hope you’re right!
Another lovely piece, thank you Mo!
I recently watched Winston Marshall's speech at the Oxford Union Society, under the disapproving eye of Nancy Pelosi. Like some others who have been "cancelled" he isn't it letting it get him down but is integrating the experience, learning from it and reaching way more people now than before. It's really interesting, and heartening, to watch.
Thank you. Great read. I don’t have any insightful quips or resonating truths. Standing back and saying “nah I’m good” has been a complete shitter at times.
But I gotta be me.
Oh my Gosh, I just love this. Isn’t this what all those school posters were preparing us for?
Best line ever