Monday, June 8, 2020

how civilization heals




Last week I asked you to reflect upon what you're reading, and why. This week the question is, "What are you writing about, and if you're not writing, why not?"

"We write out of revenge
against reality."
~Francine du Plessix Gray~

In that post, I suggested that what we read should excite us, guide us, and affect our perspective on some aspect of life and how we live it. It should touch on our beliefs, prompt us to take action, or simply interest us, or entertain us.The same applies to what we write about. It should interest or entertain the reader. Teach him, guide him, or expose him to a different way of thinking about things. Perhaps excite him. Maybe motivate him to take action. Or make him cry. Or make him laugh. Or appeal to his imagination.

"We read to learn about the world.
We write to change the world."
~Lori Jamison Rog~

We certainly have plenty of material to work with these days.

For example, how has the Covid-19 pandemic affected you? How are you coping? What have you learned? How to use ZOOM? How to teach algebra? How to conserve toilet paper? Have you lost your job, or closed the business you worked so hard to establish? Have you lost a friend or relative to the illness?

How has the "BLACK LIVES MATTER" movement affected you? Have you joined the protests, or remained silent? Do you understand the long and painful history of racism? What are you teaching your children about it?

Did you even hear about the massive diesel fuel spill in the Siberian wilderness that Putin was in such a rush to cover up? What about the measurable improvement in environmental pollution since cities all around the world went into lock down, unveiling the Himalayan peaks for the first time in decades?

Are you optimistic about the future, or pessimistic about it? Do you welcome change or resist it? What would you like to see happen? What will your role be?

"There is no time for despair,
no place for self-pity,
no need for silence,
no room for fear.
We speak.
We write. 
We do language.
This is how civilization heals."
~Toni Morrison~
jan






1 comment:

  1. I love that the environment is catching a break but at the same time, single use plastic increased. I’m not watching much news because it’s very depressing and discouraging. Also trying to be more aware of where a product is made before purchased. Support small business and tip big when get the chance. ✌🏼

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