You have put into words the feelings I can't express. I am 86 years old - I was proud to be an American and what we stood for - until now. What I see happening daily is devastating.
The smoke of book burning is far more acrid than the smoke from the Butternut Fire last year when for a while I couldn’t see anything through it more than a hundred feet from the house. Happily, unlike this book burning, the flames then were a couple of miles away and the multiple authorities hard at work with allies to contain the blaze. Fish breathe under water. I guess we’re adapting to breathing, speaking and writing in the smoky air.
And I read your article to Bon. She said to tell you she also says it’s profound.
Thank you, Kathleen, for reminding me that fire is by no means a metaphor. I was shocked by the photos of the Butternut Fire...after I'd already left the Berkshires. Thanks for writing and for sharing my work.
The death of our country--with the accompanying shock--is such an apt description. Maybe the shock helps explain the relative silence as each new punch lands. In Korea and Israel, for example, people poured into the streets and stayed there when their democratic institutions were under attack. With the large numbers of brilliant, outspoken, knowledgeable individuals in the U.S., have people really been cowed by a two-bit, would-be dictator and his side-kick? Is this what McCarthyism felt like? Silence? As a counterpoint, I do like watching Rachel Maddow every night because she has a nightly update on many of the protests taking place around the country. I think we need to respond to the call and turn out in the streets en masse on April 5! As for the Jews, myself included, there's talk of "smokescreen antisemitism," which also feels apt. It's not the real deal, but an effort to crush the Palestine freedom movement by using the Jews as a a wedge--see "Project Esther," by the same cast of characters that brought us Project 2025 -
I always go back to my belief that we don't have the same long tradition of public protest that they have in Europe, parts of Asia and now in Israel. Some people point to the Vietnam era activism to counter that assertion. But I feel strongly that Vietnam was a special case because of the draft. Huge numbers of young men were personally affected and willing to take big risks. I've been reading The Contrarian every day which gives me a good dose of what's happening and how people are responding. I don't know about Project Esther but "smokescreen antisemitism" sounds about right. Thanks for writing!
I was very moved by your post. It speaks the truth with such clarity and wisdom, while touching the reality of our grief and bewilderment. I'm deeply grateful to you and your gifts.
It means a great deal to me to hear from you and know I wrote what needed to be written. It's remarkable how close one can feel to other people across the miles through the miracle of language.
This post was one true thing after another. Let’s never forget that snow is white and grass is green, no matter what those who would so confuse us that we would believe otherwise. A brave post, Susie, and it makes your readers stronger. Thank you.
THANK YOU so much for this. "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once" is not just a movie, it's life since the election and the neverending aftermath of October 7. I appreciate your addressing the complex conflicts inherent in being Jewish and liberal at a time when for many reasons it feels impossible to be both at once, as well as the weaponization of anti-antisemitism as a political tool. And--oh, yes--the fact that the words "We hold these truths to be self-evident" seem to have become one of our greater ironies.
Beautifully said, Susie. How poetically you hit the nail on the head, over and over. Thank you for your wisdom and the clarity with which you share it.
This, "We no longer agree on a set of assumptions, a structural framework, that underlies the social contract."
Scary stuff
Thank you, Susie Kaufman, for putting the right words to what I'm feeling so deeply right now.
There are a lot of moving parts, Jan. But gathering it all together is meaningful and provides some small measure of comfort.
You have put into words the feelings I can't express. I am 86 years old - I was proud to be an American and what we stood for - until now. What I see happening daily is devastating.
You are not alone, Janice. We have to commit to not shutting down and not losing sight of what we know to be true.
The smoke of book burning is far more acrid than the smoke from the Butternut Fire last year when for a while I couldn’t see anything through it more than a hundred feet from the house. Happily, unlike this book burning, the flames then were a couple of miles away and the multiple authorities hard at work with allies to contain the blaze. Fish breathe under water. I guess we’re adapting to breathing, speaking and writing in the smoky air.
And I read your article to Bon. She said to tell you she also says it’s profound.
Thank you, Kathleen, for reminding me that fire is by no means a metaphor. I was shocked by the photos of the Butternut Fire...after I'd already left the Berkshires. Thanks for writing and for sharing my work.
The death of our country--with the accompanying shock--is such an apt description. Maybe the shock helps explain the relative silence as each new punch lands. In Korea and Israel, for example, people poured into the streets and stayed there when their democratic institutions were under attack. With the large numbers of brilliant, outspoken, knowledgeable individuals in the U.S., have people really been cowed by a two-bit, would-be dictator and his side-kick? Is this what McCarthyism felt like? Silence? As a counterpoint, I do like watching Rachel Maddow every night because she has a nightly update on many of the protests taking place around the country. I think we need to respond to the call and turn out in the streets en masse on April 5! As for the Jews, myself included, there's talk of "smokescreen antisemitism," which also feels apt. It's not the real deal, but an effort to crush the Palestine freedom movement by using the Jews as a a wedge--see "Project Esther," by the same cast of characters that brought us Project 2025 -
I always go back to my belief that we don't have the same long tradition of public protest that they have in Europe, parts of Asia and now in Israel. Some people point to the Vietnam era activism to counter that assertion. But I feel strongly that Vietnam was a special case because of the draft. Huge numbers of young men were personally affected and willing to take big risks. I've been reading The Contrarian every day which gives me a good dose of what's happening and how people are responding. I don't know about Project Esther but "smokescreen antisemitism" sounds about right. Thanks for writing!
Dear Susie:
I was very moved by your post. It speaks the truth with such clarity and wisdom, while touching the reality of our grief and bewilderment. I'm deeply grateful to you and your gifts.
It means a great deal to me to hear from you and know I wrote what needed to be written. It's remarkable how close one can feel to other people across the miles through the miracle of language.
This post was one true thing after another. Let’s never forget that snow is white and grass is green, no matter what those who would so confuse us that we would believe otherwise. A brave post, Susie, and it makes your readers stronger. Thank you.
I really value your opinion, Rachael. Courage is contagious and when I get feedback like this it makes me feel braver and less alone.
You depict the shocking and painful reality in which we are living now with stark clarity.
We have to keep talking to each other. Our conversation will be an important part of our caring for ourselves.
Talking and sharing anger and sorrow, maybe even tears!
THANK YOU so much for this. "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once" is not just a movie, it's life since the election and the neverending aftermath of October 7. I appreciate your addressing the complex conflicts inherent in being Jewish and liberal at a time when for many reasons it feels impossible to be both at once, as well as the weaponization of anti-antisemitism as a political tool. And--oh, yes--the fact that the words "We hold these truths to be self-evident" seem to have become one of our greater ironies.
Thanks you, BKL. I'm really interested in the response to the "weaponization of antisemitism." It feels like a double whammy.
Beautifully said, Susie. How poetically you hit the nail on the head, over and over. Thank you for your wisdom and the clarity with which you share it.
Really appreciate your input, Marysue.
Few words for this one Susie.
It's a help to know you're reading my work.
Beautifully said, Susie.
Many thanks. Tough one to write.