A quick clarification from my mother-in-law: The debate was whether the students could wear pants to dinner and class only--they were allowed to wear them in informal contexts.
My mom said the girls at her school were not allowed to wear pants. Even in winter. In Massachusetts. And when she got divorced and wanted a credit card, she couldn’t get one on her own but had to have her dad sign for it.
Mari--The Finnish comedian is so funny I laughed so hard I cried during the video. On a more serious note, I agree with you about not liking how quickly people want to say that any kind of change is not good enough, or that "nothing can be done" about X issue. This kind of attitude breeds cynicism and despair. I have a quotation I love "He'd rather die with his heart on his sleeve than end up another cynic." I think that's it--from Colum McCann's LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN. Yes, let's at least try to make change and believe it is possible, because, as you show, it is!
That’s a fantastic quote--and I love that book too. I think it can be restorative to remind ourselves of how successful we have been in changing many stupid, thoughtless, cruel, or otherwise destructive practices. Cynicism tells lies about our real power.
A quick clarification from my mother-in-law: The debate was whether the students could wear pants to dinner and class only--they were allowed to wear them in informal contexts.
My mom said the girls at her school were not allowed to wear pants. Even in winter. In Massachusetts. And when she got divorced and wanted a credit card, she couldn’t get one on her own but had to have her dad sign for it.
What stupid, infantilizing rules.
Mari--The Finnish comedian is so funny I laughed so hard I cried during the video. On a more serious note, I agree with you about not liking how quickly people want to say that any kind of change is not good enough, or that "nothing can be done" about X issue. This kind of attitude breeds cynicism and despair. I have a quotation I love "He'd rather die with his heart on his sleeve than end up another cynic." I think that's it--from Colum McCann's LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN. Yes, let's at least try to make change and believe it is possible, because, as you show, it is!
That’s a fantastic quote--and I love that book too. I think it can be restorative to remind ourselves of how successful we have been in changing many stupid, thoughtless, cruel, or otherwise destructive practices. Cynicism tells lies about our real power.
What a powerful statement. Well said, Mari!
Thank you, Mari. I enjoy reading your pieces immensely.
Thank you so much!
I love every single post you publish. And I'm reminded how brilliant Shakespeare was.
Oh wow--thank you so much! I am truly honored that you enjoy my writing, because I admire your writing so much!