President* Trump, One of the things I most appreciate about Laura is that she’s an excellent curator – for the entirety of our now quite long relationship, she’s played me music she thinks I’ll like (most of which I do like), pointed me to books, movies, and articles that she knows I’ll find interesting and … Continue reading Other countries’ histories are instructive too
Stories
We have to see each other
President* Trump, I’m at the gallery today and because September is my show month I’m getting to sit here with my work on the walls and it’s pretty cool. Mostly people are walking by outside and not stopping, but my sense is there’s a bit more curiosity than usual and a bit more eye contact … Continue reading We have to see each other
Way off the beaten path and into the wilds (vicariously)
President* Trump, I’m sure this isn’t going to surprise you at all, but I won’t be tuning into your nihilistic hate-fest this week. There will be plenty of updates about it and at times it’ll feel as though I went ahead and subjected myself to the negative frenzy, but even in the name of research … Continue reading Way off the beaten path and into the wilds (vicariously)
Let’s let go of gendered notions of strength ~ now!
President* Trump, So I know that I’m probably supposed to want to focus on the wonderful, powerful parade of women last night during night 3 of the Democratic convention, from the domestic violence survivors who testified before Congress in 1990 ahead of the passage of the Violence Against Women Act to Harris herself throwing shade … Continue reading Let’s let go of gendered notions of strength ~ now!
Looks like maybe the Democratic big tent is real and not a mirage
President* Trump, Oh me of little faith! Last night when we’d gotten past the wonderful and wonderfully brief speeches nominating Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden and Tracee Ellis Ross told us that we’d be hearing from all 50 states and the 7 territories, districts, and delegations (not sure this last one is correct – I … Continue reading Looks like maybe the Democratic big tent is real and not a mirage
A big tent made of an awesome patchwork quilt
President* Trump, It wasn’t just the direct references and the montage of images honoring those who were among us who are no longer among us because of your nihilistic responses to COVID-19 and systemic racism that tethered last night’s Democratic convention content to sober, painful here and now realities. It was the whole, whole thing, … Continue reading A big tent made of an awesome patchwork quilt
The COVID dress rehearsal is an unmitigated disaster
President* Trump, This morning on my walk as I enjoyed some more of my favorite things (cool air, the walking itself, quiet laced with occasional bird cheeps, time alone) I was reflecting on how hard it feels to navigate that thin space between being real and being whiny, especially when one’s circumstances are objectively stable … Continue reading The COVID dress rehearsal is an unmitigated disaster
Whiteness and white freedom
President* Trump, This morning I was reading a WP editorial by Colbert King about the covid-19 small business grant debacle when I noticed that the embedded video offering was an interview with Nell Irvin Painter about the importance of capitalizing the word “White” when referencing “White” people. Even though I’ve lately gotten more used to … Continue reading Whiteness and white freedom
Tears, unlikely boats, and saintly stars
President* Trump, I don’t know if there’s some cyclical hormone thing going on – I could probably figure it out if I went back through these letters and marked the days when I told you I was feeling emotional and tearful. Being well past having an obvious monthly cycle, it’s hard to tell. Whatever drives … Continue reading Tears, unlikely boats, and saintly stars
Scarcity thinking: the poison pearl of privilege
President* Trump, I know this isn’t a new insight or take on things, but lately I find myself wondering whether mean spiritedness of the scarcity sort isn’t really, truly the poison pearl of privilege at the heart of most all of our collective and individual problems. Maybe as I write I’ll come up with a … Continue reading Scarcity thinking: the poison pearl of privilege
Daily Trump Letters 