"I like writing that’s maybe, on the surface level, political, but also goes so deep into someone’s human experience that everyone finds some commonality there." A great description of how great truths are revealed through someone's specific story. I always loved this Terry Eagleton quote for a similar reason: "The mystery of art is how black marks on a page, or pigment on a canvas, or the scraping of a bow on catgut, can be so richly evocative of life."
The title of your essay says it all. The notes from your diary say it all in brief and concise sentences. I shall pass this on to someone sooo close who got caught up in this adventure I dare call madness, I have had long conversations with her, trying to get her to understand that if body and mind don't get together, it's not by punishing either one that you can live a whole life. I went to a local "club" where she would go, I had a long and fairly acrimonious talk with the adult leading it, a man so caught up in this strange idea, I had the feeling I was speaking to a cult leader.
Thank you for the courage of coming out and speaking. There is one thing that so many transgenders share, whether transitioned or not: Enormous concern for their health, for their standing in the world, in society. It can be seen as a form of self-absorption, but it is not really, because it is in relations with others.; and they are remarkably articulate and intelligent, which is why they probably get all wrapped up in this issue. As I accompany this "someone" close, I realized something. We are both on the autism spectrum (I'm much older, but my youth problems.... resemble hers) , It is a strange discovery and explains our capacity to obsess over, at times, trivial things. I think it got us into this, and it will get us out of it.
I have been wondering what ever happened to GCCAN? Did it officially disband? The internet is absent of a post-mortem. I am late, I only recently learned of its previous existence anyhow.
Anyway, I have long appreciated your compassionate way of discussing your own experience, and particularly love how you interview others. Thanks for the courage and vulnerability, and excellent writing.
Yes, I think we are all the same at some level. Beings in the world. We actually have impoverished folk narratives in society about what it is to be in the world, as a Self. The truth is: first person experience is quite trippy, there's a lot going on and a simple narrative about this identity or that doesn't really cover it.
I think there's a modal mistake that can happen around the romantic ideal of trying to find who we truly are, as if we are searching for a jewel on the bottom of the sea-floor. But it's the searching towards an Other, that is not us that is the discovery. An evolving cocreation between us and reality as it unfolds. The first step towards this is actually being aware of our bodies.
"I like writing that’s maybe, on the surface level, political, but also goes so deep into someone’s human experience that everyone finds some commonality there." A great description of how great truths are revealed through someone's specific story. I always loved this Terry Eagleton quote for a similar reason: "The mystery of art is how black marks on a page, or pigment on a canvas, or the scraping of a bow on catgut, can be so richly evocative of life."
Lovely ❤️
Thank you Grace🙏
The title of your essay says it all. The notes from your diary say it all in brief and concise sentences. I shall pass this on to someone sooo close who got caught up in this adventure I dare call madness, I have had long conversations with her, trying to get her to understand that if body and mind don't get together, it's not by punishing either one that you can live a whole life. I went to a local "club" where she would go, I had a long and fairly acrimonious talk with the adult leading it, a man so caught up in this strange idea, I had the feeling I was speaking to a cult leader.
Thank you for the courage of coming out and speaking. There is one thing that so many transgenders share, whether transitioned or not: Enormous concern for their health, for their standing in the world, in society. It can be seen as a form of self-absorption, but it is not really, because it is in relations with others.; and they are remarkably articulate and intelligent, which is why they probably get all wrapped up in this issue. As I accompany this "someone" close, I realized something. We are both on the autism spectrum (I'm much older, but my youth problems.... resemble hers) , It is a strange discovery and explains our capacity to obsess over, at times, trivial things. I think it got us into this, and it will get us out of it.
Can't wait to hear the conversation with Bridget! I appreciate you sharing your story, and all of these others.
I have been wondering what ever happened to GCCAN? Did it officially disband? The internet is absent of a post-mortem. I am late, I only recently learned of its previous existence anyhow.
Anyway, I have long appreciated your compassionate way of discussing your own experience, and particularly love how you interview others. Thanks for the courage and vulnerability, and excellent writing.
Yes, I think we are all the same at some level. Beings in the world. We actually have impoverished folk narratives in society about what it is to be in the world, as a Self. The truth is: first person experience is quite trippy, there's a lot going on and a simple narrative about this identity or that doesn't really cover it.
I think there's a modal mistake that can happen around the romantic ideal of trying to find who we truly are, as if we are searching for a jewel on the bottom of the sea-floor. But it's the searching towards an Other, that is not us that is the discovery. An evolving cocreation between us and reality as it unfolds. The first step towards this is actually being aware of our bodies.