96 Comments
20 hrs agoLiked by Sarah Wilson, Anya Kamenetz

It’s a sh*tshow. It’s not going to be great. But I feel way more prepared for today than I would have been if I wasn’t a part of this community; a receiver of your insights and research and how it bounces around the brains of like-minded folk.

I feel better able to absorb (am I more used to game that the powerful are playing?) this news, and also better resigned (and excited ?) to be a hopeful role-model (as you noted) and rally the team. Thank you, everyone, for being here.

Tomorrow is a new day. But - go gently for a bit xo

Expand full comment
author

Kristy, thank you so much. I was talking to my Dad this morning, while I wrote this, and was sharing how a lot of my friends have...faded away. They are not comfortable with what I'm voicing, even if they are agreeing with me. They can't be "seen" to be putting a like to my IG posts and so on. He asked how I cope. I said - by connecting with everyone here (as well as select friends, and my family, who get it, and are willing to talk about what is actually happening...now!).

Expand full comment
author

I'm inexpressibly grateful for this. Thank you and yes, onward.

Expand full comment
9 hrs agoLiked by Sarah Wilson

Thanks for writing this Kristy, a great reminder to breathe in , breathe out and be that island of calm sanity in amoungst the chaos of the news and everyones wild reactions.

This community and book also helps make sense of why this clusterfuck has happened, its part of the collapse narrative. Lets get on with life and living fully :)

Expand full comment
8 hrs agoLiked by Sarah Wilson

I too feel better able to absorb this news for having been reading this book.

Expand full comment
author

(with all it's typos 😂🫶🏻) ...thanks emma x

Expand full comment

Totally with you on the sh*tshow Kristy. I am not angry (yet!) but feel very sad for my American friends and family . I am not going to analyze any of it but at the right time send out the clarion call to those who will stand firm against bullying, sexist, racist actions.

Your post and the knowledge that women have climbed those patriarchal parapets before brings me to a calm centre and I know we will do it again and again if need be. We are better prepared and we have networks and each other in sisterhood solidarity. We also have thoughtful males willing to step into the light we will cast to push out any darkness. Role models with courage and character is our job once more. On!On!

Expand full comment
20 hrs ago·edited 17 hrs agoLiked by Sarah Wilson

There is more in each of us that we are aware of. More beauty of heart and soul, more imagination, more strength, more capacity to go deep inside and find a fuel for life that creates the kind of connections with one another that heal this depth of grief. The first time Trump won, I lay in my bed unable to sleep, shaking and crying because it brought back the pain of every sexual harm that had been committed on my body. This time, what I feel is wisdom. I feel like it is going to be a time of carefully listening to that inner voice of moral courage and to one another in a way that forms community and, possibly, entirely new tables.

Expand full comment
author

Yes. I feel the same. I feel resolved. Resolved to role-model like a warrior and get very vigilant in my commitment to love and nature and all those things that have felt like wafty, nice-to-haves...but are now EVERYTHING that is left. Courage to you, Madeleine.

Expand full comment
20 hrs agoLiked by Sarah Wilson

My theologian friend has been asked to speak to a Ukraine audience on Saturday. The topic: love in a time of war. She shared the structure of her talk with me today. “Love looks like: heartbreak; judgement/discernment/truthtelling; grace; crucifixion (the ability to be with unimaginable suffering); community.

There is so much wisdom and resonance in that.

Today I’m experiencing heartbreak and crucifixion. Maybe judgement. Tomorrow maybe I’ll find grace. Here, I find community.

All this may help me discern right action.

Expand full comment
author

I love this. If she shares a copy of her speech, maybe ask if you could share it with us here?

Expand full comment

I love this, Deborah. Thank you for sharing.

Expand full comment

Oh, yes. This 1000 times yes.

Expand full comment

Agree Madeleine. The first time Trump won, I joined the Women’s March at Hyde Park in Sydney, very much the activist. This time round, I feel the same “careful listening” on all sides, and love.

Expand full comment
author

Yes, different kind of work ahead now.

Expand full comment

You can be damn sure that millions of men across the world are very disappointed in the result of the election. Don't think for a moment that women are the only group feeling totaaly downcast this morning. We men had high hopes for the first female president and the defeat of that monster Trump.

Expand full comment
author

I have thought for many a moment that many men are feeling as you say - per the subtitle of the article!

Expand full comment

Yes, yes, J!

Expand full comment
18 hrs agoLiked by Sarah Wilson

He’s a convicted felon and a rapist. There’s an inherent problem in the US justice system here that he can be re-elected and then absolve himself of all his sins.

The ultimate narcissist and his cronies (Musk, Bezos et al) taking the power into his hands and looking at the crowd and almost worshipping their stupidity. This is the virus way more dangerous than COVID

Expand full comment
author

It's extra galling when the Republicans run on the line they're going to counter the power of the elites.

Expand full comment
5 hrs agoLiked by Sarah Wilson

I wish i never but i did have a quick look at Sky news last night and Paul Murray goes on to say how disgusting and weak Kamala Harris was for not addressing the crowd last night on eve of defeat. Goes on to say it says everything about who she is blah blah blah.

Yet Trump still doesn't even accept the result of 2020, started a riot AND didn't even attend the official handover ceremony to Joe Biden. First president in history not to.

Just packed his bag and left the Whitehouse like a spoilt brat.

The hypocrisy is what drives me crazy.

Expand full comment
20 hrs agoLiked by Sarah Wilson

I’m a woman. I’m scared, not surprised, sad, disappointed, disenchanted, immobilised with grief… I used to be an activist working to get more women into senior positions of power and leadership. I stopped with a jolt of recognition 4 years ago. After 20 years of work, there were more women at the top but the power structures had not changed. Women were there conditionally. Patriarchy had not changed. Some of my best women friends were sacked from the top jobs bc Ministers/board chairs didn’t like being disagreed with. Misogyny, patriarchy, racism, elitism, capitalism, rule.

I’m sad beyond measure. What of women in the US? How fucking stupid are they?? Why weren’t they voting for themselves? Well … they’ve been well trained, survival depends on it… to devalue themselves, be silenced, erased… unless they comply with the lie… of their/our inferiority/ our inability to be trusted with power… They will suffer. Probably. The women in Ukraine, Palestine, the Sudan, Pacific nations, and any country really where survival depends on decisions made by men with power and self interest at stake will suffer more. They are at risk. We’re all at risk. The truth of our situation may be a clarion call. We may be shaken awake… or not? 🤷🏼‍♂️

Now I weep and quake.

Expand full comment
author

Again, conversation with my Dad this morning...he asked the same. I do think the water is going to have to be boiling before we're prepared to jump out.

Expand full comment

And it will be too late?!

Expand full comment

A global hug from Canada to you in Australia, Deborah, as you honour that grief. Keep telling the truth with your heart and your life.

Expand full comment

As an American waking up to the nightmare my neighbors have voted in, I am also wondering if I can forgive women. Women could have turned this election on its head. Instead, the majority of the women surrounding me (I live in Tennessee) willingly cast their vote for this person. Yes, there is a societal, fundamental inequality we all need to grapple with. And yet, from this viewpoint is sure seems like most don't care.

Expand full comment
author

Also, Terran Shea makes a point below - women do go quiet when things get dangerous.

Expand full comment
author

Yes, it's the power of patriarchy.

You probably picked up the phenomenon of women being told by their husbands how to vote. Fear is very real. So there's that.

There's also the fact that women are tied up. All the issues at play in the world - women get harder and faster by them. They are busy bringing up the kids, dealing with grocery bills etc. Elections are in the middle of the day on a Tuesday...

Expand full comment

All excellent points that, like you said, point to the root issue of patriarchy. I hope the world doesn't equate America with Trump now, and yet I have such fear that he is going to make it impossible not to.

Expand full comment
19 hrs agoLiked by Sarah Wilson

I like the concept of “emergence”, the “spontaneous creation of order and functionality from the bottom up” as seen in the flocking behaviour of birds that spontaneously become synchronised in flight. Isn’t that how some of the greatest social change and resistance has happened. We’ve seen how being “led” top down by corporate media, billionaires, the party system etc. has created this mess. Conscious individuals, making daily kind and aware choices, finding a way to create beauty daily, resisting the voices of the media etc. may help us powerfully emerge from this, synchronised as a community and wiser. Or at least find beauty, purpose and grace. Maybe that’s where it all begins and ends anyway.

Expand full comment
author

I think you are very right.

So...this leaves role-modelling the fuck out of the situation!

Expand full comment
17 hrs ago·edited 17 hrs agoLiked by Sarah Wilson

Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but I feel like it doesn't turbo eject role modeling, though? I see role modeling as living truthfully from one's values rather than purposefully taking a position of influence. When someone lives out of humility, those who can see it know what it looks like and then can define the contours of their own life in that humble spirit, too. So many of us on this thread do that for one another without even realizing it. You do it constantly, Sarah, in your willingness to not center yourself or position yourself as an authority.

Expand full comment
author

My language is probably not being accurate enough. You're right, the enactment of this role modelling is a lot more humble and gentle. My "turbo-charged" tone is more about the vigilance and steadfastness and commitment that we are being invited to embody.

Expand full comment

ah, thank you for clarifying.

Expand full comment

Role modeling is key. But what we role model must be about truth, inclusion , kindness, passion and generosity. Humility is how we roll but also keeping an eye on the collective goal and offering our hands and hearts to get the job done together.

Expand full comment
17 hrs ago·edited 17 hrs agoLiked by Sarah Wilson

I do believe too that people and communities who live intentionally and who form their hearts and spirits around relationship find a beauty, purpose, and grace that cannot be commodified. I keep thinking of the Wild episode with Ian McGilchrist and how he spoke about something ineffable that happens between neurons firing and creating new pathways. I think he asked the question about what is there in that space, exactly? Whatever it is, it is possibility, and that is powerful. I'm probably not articulating him very well at all, here. After my grief and anger have burned brightly, a conviction to search for beauty will rise from those ashes and be galvanized by the power of that possibility of living beautifully. I think of Dorothy Day and how she always used to quote Dostoyevsky and, after praying each day in solitude and quiet, she would say how "beauty will save the world".

Expand full comment
author

Madeleine, that DD contribution is divine. Thank you x

Expand full comment

She is a hero of mine from my growing up Catholic days. 😊She had an abortion and worked tirelessly with and for the poor. A radical social activist who remains a role model for the ages.

Expand full comment

Mine too. Still is. “don’t call us saints” has stayed with me for years.

Expand full comment
20 hrs agoLiked by Sarah Wilson

If the identity politics of United States continues to ignore class dynamics nothing will change, and the college educated suburban liberals in this country will continue to feel confused and hurt. Try asking yourself what it is about the woman and her party who just won the presidency in Mexico that led her to victory.

Expand full comment
author

I very much agree - class dynamics are so often ignored. I often think we view things through gender and race lenses...because gender and race can't be changed. Class can. Class issues demand change from all of us.

Expand full comment

I cringed whenever a newscaster said "college-educated vs. non-college educated", which was a lot.

Expand full comment
20 hrs agoLiked by Sarah Wilson

I'm more than happy for women to run this planet. Men have given the world nothing but misery with their endless pursuit of conflict and greed.

Expand full comment
author

Per that Will Farrell speech at some awards night....

Expand full comment

I'm more Perry Farrell.

Expand full comment

We were not prepared for the support Kamala Harris needed to become President. Ground work was not in place. We need to revisit Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B Anthony who worked daily their entire lives educating . They never saw the fruition of their life’s work . But their work brought about Women’s Rights. If you have a moral compass and willingness to work you can move forward inch by inch.We must choose a focus and not splinter into factions.

Expand full comment

This is what my American husband said- if Biden had stepped down to begin with she would have had a better chance.

Expand full comment
author

Yes the New York Times' Daily podcast just discussed this.

Expand full comment

Yes and on the Democratic’s strategy - the intention to vote for Harris so Trump does not get in, not enough. Intention in one’s decision is key - you make a choice because you have strong inclination and faith in that; not to avoid something …

Expand full comment
12 hrs agoLiked by Sarah Wilson

Thank you so much for writing (& sourcing) this Sarah. And for writing it now. It addresses exactly a question I want heard.

I too feel an entirely different reaction to Trump’s first win. This outcome is a chosen one. A deliberate decision, made with knowledge. It lays a lot of stuff clear.

And thanks for this place here. Thank god for this community you have built.

Expand full comment
author

I agree with you - this time it was very deliberate. I don't want to forget that.

Expand full comment
author

or dismiss it.

Expand full comment
18 hrs agoLiked by Sarah Wilson, Anya Kamenetz

I read this through my tears. Thank you, Sarah, and Anya, for your personal take. I don't feel as alone. The struggle to forgive men has been the struggle of my life. That's sounding pretty hyperbolic, but I think it's true. And this election is a mirror reflecting it all back. Men (especially young men) came out in droves in this election. I think I heard that more women voted for Biden in 2020 than they voted for Harris. I think more and more women will stay quiet. Where do we go from here?

Expand full comment
author

I think a lot of women have been trying to do the same most of their lives, too.

Expand full comment
8 hrs agoLiked by Sarah Wilson

We do stay quiet. I stayed quiet in the past and the truth is that I can't explain why. I do not know why I stayed quiet, maybe I didn't trust my own judgement, I didn't recognise the mistreatment. I froze when I read your words just now.

Expand full comment
author

Your brutal honest with yourself Kristy inspires me.

Expand full comment

The problem is conflict , and our inability to fight fairly and completely. I understand the dilemma, to lower your guard to someone who has the ability to render your heart. It’s almost impossible. But I think the solution is in the fight. I have been thinking about this a lot lately. THE first choice in a partner, friend or business partner is how they deal with conflict , either with you , or more importantly with a stranger they can’t get something from.

This behaviour is the baseline of a human being, life is hard and stressful, and how someone deals y stress immediately tells you their values, and character.

Expand full comment

Sarah I’m going to drop this link of Valerie Kaur’s speech 8 years ago now and come back to your post and comments here. “What if this darkness is not darkness, but darkness of the womb … “ https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCB6AJapaAD/?igsh=dTNra3dzem1ldTQ1

Expand full comment
author

"What if our country is one long labour"

Expand full comment

Yes. Her call is for revolutionary love. Breathe today and push tomorrow. X

Expand full comment
author

Holy shit. OK.

Expand full comment

This

For everyone

Thank you for sharing this

Expand full comment
7 hrs agoLiked by Anya Kamenetz

Thank you so much for sharing this and these parallels, our core relational needs as human beings irrespective of all the labels. Attachment theory is one of my most used maps. Thanks for the social, spiritual sustenance in each of your writing.

Expand full comment
8 hrs agoLiked by Sarah Wilson

Sarah, I can't forgive US men and to a certain extent Australian men. I posted on X that I hoped the American women would carry the day, but many of them, including the vast majority of mainstream Republican men voted for Trump. The US is more polarised and fractured than ever before, possibly irrevocably... Trump represents all the reactionary, sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic and elitist tendencies of the conservative half of the US. 20 years of reactionary SCOTUS decisions coming up. The country may never recover. Australia reflects some of this - we have another adversarial fight going on between, essentially, two conservative major parties who are the only parties who can form Government. In Queensland, they are heading towards a US style backlash against pro-women and welfare policies, such as the Right to Choose, child care and action on violence against women. In Australia, there have been 75 deaths of women at the hands of men and Governments are doing nothing about it. I'm at a loss. No more words!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you Clive...please keep saying your words.

Yes, I'm watching Dutton et al capitalising on the momentum and it's cringe and scary. I just hope Australians jump from the warming pot on the stove and mobilise before it's too late.

Expand full comment