Your point about the danger of this strategy being the beginning AND the end is spot on for me. It reminds me of all the cliche comments people make when an underrepresented person is elected, ie “thanks to Kamala now MY daughter knows she can be vp someday.” As if the only criteria for success is winning the seat, not what you do with it. Maybe this also speaks to our problem of engaging with elections and ignoring all the politics that follow.
Thanks for always offering such poignant (and hilarious) analysis and commentary.
As a passive observer, it's been interest seeing online conclave (lowercase) discourse, particularly from those who would identify or consider themselves on the left leaning side of the political spectrum. Much has been made of certain cardinals being African and Black, being both myself I do wonder if there is any curiosity towards their beliefs, records and potential leadership or if indeed these are discussions purely predicated on identity markers. That said, I am obviously aware that it is not an insignificant fact that the late Pope was from the Global South and insofar as he was progressive, it was a marked shift from recent predecessors (in short: lest I be misunderstood, I too am not saying that representation does not matter).
PS: "People on a lifelong quest to answer the question: how does the body survive when it’s been intentionally disentwined from the soul?" is a bar. Great article as usual.
I have generally been disappointed by all of my reps (I'm in VT) and even like AOC's silence on trans people, but I have especially been on Becca Balint because she literally campaigned as a scrappy little dyke and I think she's majorly let down trans people early in the admin, but recently she's turned it around.
loved this "There is a vocational element to it; I refuse to consider the effectiveness of a politician in the same vein I consider that of a Best Buy assistant manager. "
I'm a psychotherapist, which really is a vocation when practiced correctly - and one that emphasizes considering things like power dynamics and the influence we wield in the course of our work. so, I find it particularly irksome when politicians (or their apologists), downplay those aspects in a role that has everything to do with power dynamics on a larger scale. like, you are in a position to approve or reject legislation that can literally save or ruin lives depending on what's being discussed, that is not the same as being a regular office drone okay?
Once again obsessed with your writing/analyzing brain. Also, this made me cackle: "If I were a more empathetic person, I’d be concerned for her spinal health." 😂💀
Really great and thought provoking piece. His silence in public grates, but I don't think anyone can make Barack Obama lead the Democratic party if he doesn't want to do it.
As a white man I say this to all white men. It is time to use your voice. You have cultural protections that others don’t have. You can take risks that others can’t. It’s time to put your body on the line. Speak up, say the things that need to be said to power say the things that need to be said to other white men who think we need to regress. There is a world to win and we need every one fighting for it.
Love reading your work Clara. You have such a brilliant take and style. Do hope you have a book coming out. And apologies if you do and I’ve missed it.
>I refuse to consider the effectiveness of a politician in the same vein I consider that of a Best Buy assistant manager.
What an amazing line. Thank you!! I am so fed up with the collective "hands in the air" approach to the DNC.
Your point about the danger of this strategy being the beginning AND the end is spot on for me. It reminds me of all the cliche comments people make when an underrepresented person is elected, ie “thanks to Kamala now MY daughter knows she can be vp someday.” As if the only criteria for success is winning the seat, not what you do with it. Maybe this also speaks to our problem of engaging with elections and ignoring all the politics that follow.
Thanks for always offering such poignant (and hilarious) analysis and commentary.
yep yep yep, like what do we do with the power and the platform once we have it? hoard it??!
That’s the very answer. Hoard it.
Clara, again, as a writer and thinker, you are beyond brilliant. I am so glad you are following this path.
poppy, this is so lovely of you, thank you! x
It’s the second footnote for me!
As a passive observer, it's been interest seeing online conclave (lowercase) discourse, particularly from those who would identify or consider themselves on the left leaning side of the political spectrum. Much has been made of certain cardinals being African and Black, being both myself I do wonder if there is any curiosity towards their beliefs, records and potential leadership or if indeed these are discussions purely predicated on identity markers. That said, I am obviously aware that it is not an insignificant fact that the late Pope was from the Global South and insofar as he was progressive, it was a marked shift from recent predecessors (in short: lest I be misunderstood, I too am not saying that representation does not matter).
PS: "People on a lifelong quest to answer the question: how does the body survive when it’s been intentionally disentwined from the soul?" is a bar. Great article as usual.
In reading this it is clear that you chose every word with care. Thank you for this nuanced, important, spot on piece.
Thank you so much for reading, Sarah!
I have generally been disappointed by all of my reps (I'm in VT) and even like AOC's silence on trans people, but I have especially been on Becca Balint because she literally campaigned as a scrappy little dyke and I think she's majorly let down trans people early in the admin, but recently she's turned it around.
loved this "There is a vocational element to it; I refuse to consider the effectiveness of a politician in the same vein I consider that of a Best Buy assistant manager. "
I'm a psychotherapist, which really is a vocation when practiced correctly - and one that emphasizes considering things like power dynamics and the influence we wield in the course of our work. so, I find it particularly irksome when politicians (or their apologists), downplay those aspects in a role that has everything to do with power dynamics on a larger scale. like, you are in a position to approve or reject legislation that can literally save or ruin lives depending on what's being discussed, that is not the same as being a regular office drone okay?
exactly !!
Once again obsessed with your writing/analyzing brain. Also, this made me cackle: "If I were a more empathetic person, I’d be concerned for her spinal health." 😂💀
Violet!! Lol thank you so much! x
👏 Actual representation requires 👏👏ACTION👏👏
Really great and thought provoking piece. His silence in public grates, but I don't think anyone can make Barack Obama lead the Democratic party if he doesn't want to do it.
As a white man I say this to all white men. It is time to use your voice. You have cultural protections that others don’t have. You can take risks that others can’t. It’s time to put your body on the line. Speak up, say the things that need to be said to power say the things that need to be said to other white men who think we need to regress. There is a world to win and we need every one fighting for it.
Love reading your work Clara. You have such a brilliant take and style. Do hope you have a book coming out. And apologies if you do and I’ve missed it.
"effective representation can no longer be judged—if it ever could—on the sole basis of a shared identity with an elected official"
It could never be judged on that. Conversely, lack of shared identity should not be held against someone. Simply look at their actions.