I think the biggest tragedy of our civilization currently is we are allowing systemic violence to occur on our planet again. Have we learned no lessons from the Holocaust? The dehumanisation of the Palestinian people and the ensuing elimination of them is a genocide we are witnessing in real time beamed into our smart phones. Children starving in the streets because aid which is available is denied entry. Weapons and bombs sold without batting an eyelid for the consequences. The lives quenched and the lives changed beyond measure from the horrors that are perpetrated. Hospitals bombed, paramedics shot in cold blood. It is a stain on our civilisation and we will look back in future years and ask ourselves the same questions, who resisted? Who stood up and risked their livelihoods to say what is almost not allowed to be said in the mainstream.
I appreciate essays like this one which connect dots between past and present in a way that observes the overwhelm without shame and invites curiosity and introspection, which is perhaps how we get ready to say yes when the ask comes.
Thank you Elise, for this. One of the small ways I am attempting to do my part is opening up my apartment patio and living room for the neighborhood kids to hang out with my kid‘s in the afternoon. Anytime a new kid shows up to ask to play, I always say clearly and loudly „of course, everyone is welcome here.“ my goal is when the kids grow up they will remember - „hey, there was this one patio in the neighborhood with that weird American lady - I felt safe there.“ mostly though, I am the ground floor bathroom, first aid bandaid stand and snack lady for them. But I can’t offer the world any more right now, so this will have to do.
I love this. And never believe anything other than it is a lot! You are giving those kids so much and forging new thought patterns for them. I salute you.
Hi Elise, I love your articles! Thanks for giving such fresh and deep perspectives to our old world. As I was reading this passage today "So many of us aspire to be activists and change-makers, but we stop at reading the news, yelling at people online, posting some things to our stories, and maybe showing up to a rally or protest. I am in this group, too.", I said to myself "what"? You're absolutely in the group of activists! Through your wonderful books, articles and podcast you're helping so many of us to embrace new and different points of view to ourselves and to the world. Your words are so precious and I think this is also a very important form of activism for a new, better world. Thanks for your work and your activism!
So important, this simple key to engaging action: Being asked. Directly. Personally. Hence the human-to-human heart-link. Simple and utterly powerful. Always has been and always will me. Thank you for highlighting this.
I’m a huge fan of Rutger. I love what he is doing. If I was just starting university I’d direct my study to work with moral ambition. I’ve gone down the health path in my life and am doing a job I love as a midwife also involved in my union as a local representative. So I’m probably too old (50) and have to wrong skills to be of use to moral ambition. I’d love you to ask him what sort of actions can someone like me do to support him and moral ambition other than buying his book?
I think the biggest tragedy of our civilization currently is we are allowing systemic violence to occur on our planet again. Have we learned no lessons from the Holocaust? The dehumanisation of the Palestinian people and the ensuing elimination of them is a genocide we are witnessing in real time beamed into our smart phones. Children starving in the streets because aid which is available is denied entry. Weapons and bombs sold without batting an eyelid for the consequences. The lives quenched and the lives changed beyond measure from the horrors that are perpetrated. Hospitals bombed, paramedics shot in cold blood. It is a stain on our civilisation and we will look back in future years and ask ourselves the same questions, who resisted? Who stood up and risked their livelihoods to say what is almost not allowed to be said in the mainstream.
I appreciate essays like this one which connect dots between past and present in a way that observes the overwhelm without shame and invites curiosity and introspection, which is perhaps how we get ready to say yes when the ask comes.
Thank you Elise, for this. One of the small ways I am attempting to do my part is opening up my apartment patio and living room for the neighborhood kids to hang out with my kid‘s in the afternoon. Anytime a new kid shows up to ask to play, I always say clearly and loudly „of course, everyone is welcome here.“ my goal is when the kids grow up they will remember - „hey, there was this one patio in the neighborhood with that weird American lady - I felt safe there.“ mostly though, I am the ground floor bathroom, first aid bandaid stand and snack lady for them. But I can’t offer the world any more right now, so this will have to do.
I love this. And never believe anything other than it is a lot! You are giving those kids so much and forging new thought patterns for them. I salute you.
This is true on so many levels. Thank you for this insight
Hi Elise, I love your articles! Thanks for giving such fresh and deep perspectives to our old world. As I was reading this passage today "So many of us aspire to be activists and change-makers, but we stop at reading the news, yelling at people online, posting some things to our stories, and maybe showing up to a rally or protest. I am in this group, too.", I said to myself "what"? You're absolutely in the group of activists! Through your wonderful books, articles and podcast you're helping so many of us to embrace new and different points of view to ourselves and to the world. Your words are so precious and I think this is also a very important form of activism for a new, better world. Thanks for your work and your activism!
Federica
So important, this simple key to engaging action: Being asked. Directly. Personally. Hence the human-to-human heart-link. Simple and utterly powerful. Always has been and always will me. Thank you for highlighting this.
Yes, Red Wine & Blue Troublemaker Nation. Local groups organizing for local elections, school boards, laws, and community change.
I’m a huge fan of Rutger. I love what he is doing. If I was just starting university I’d direct my study to work with moral ambition. I’ve gone down the health path in my life and am doing a job I love as a midwife also involved in my union as a local representative. So I’m probably too old (50) and have to wrong skills to be of use to moral ambition. I’d love you to ask him what sort of actions can someone like me do to support him and moral ambition other than buying his book?