Ramona, reading this, I’m reminded of our discussion a few days ago—when I shared how, in all I do, create, and write, I keep the shared humanity of all on the back seat. Not as an afterthought, but as a steady presence, shaping the way I engage with the world.
I know the path I walk—rooted in concepts like Nonviolent Communication, Ubuntu, and the Theravāda Buddhist focus on the four Brahmavihāras—isn’t for everyone. And that’s okay. But what I do believe is for everyone, what belongs to all of us, is human dignity. Shared humanity isn’t an abstract ideal; it’s the foundation of how we connect, how we move forward, how we resist forces that seek to divide and dehumanize.
Your words here don’t just speak to the power of writing—they speak to the responsibility that comes with it. To witness, to translate, to reach beyond the page. And in that, I see the same thread: the fight for dignity, the insistence that our humanity be recognized, protected, and upheld. It’s something that looks good on everybody.
Important thoughts here, Jay, beautifully put. As writers, we have a unique ability to communicate in ways that often resonate and give readers ideas of their own. When the message is about our humanity our words may matter even more. We need to be clear. We need to be able to stand by our words. And we need to present them in a way that they will be heard.
Seems daunting, maybe, but we take on our mission willingly. Nobody forces us. We're, in a way, built for this.
1. I believe there is a name was missing on that list: Ramona Grigg.
2. Thanks for reminding me of the incomparable Molly Ivins. She is missed. There aren't many political writers with a better combination of sharp observations, acerbic wit, humor inducing belly laughs, and all with an urgency to make you get up off the couch.
I've got to sit with the sentiment in this piece. It's definitely a wrestling match for me between erudition or relatability. I hope there are ways to do both and we all find our own, if we want that.
Amen, Ramona. I read listening for the writer’s voice in my ear. I don’t want to be distracted by artful flourishes.
There’s a time and a place, I think. Maybe political writing isn’t it. 🤔
Ramona, reading this, I’m reminded of our discussion a few days ago—when I shared how, in all I do, create, and write, I keep the shared humanity of all on the back seat. Not as an afterthought, but as a steady presence, shaping the way I engage with the world.
I know the path I walk—rooted in concepts like Nonviolent Communication, Ubuntu, and the Theravāda Buddhist focus on the four Brahmavihāras—isn’t for everyone. And that’s okay. But what I do believe is for everyone, what belongs to all of us, is human dignity. Shared humanity isn’t an abstract ideal; it’s the foundation of how we connect, how we move forward, how we resist forces that seek to divide and dehumanize.
Your words here don’t just speak to the power of writing—they speak to the responsibility that comes with it. To witness, to translate, to reach beyond the page. And in that, I see the same thread: the fight for dignity, the insistence that our humanity be recognized, protected, and upheld. It’s something that looks good on everybody.
Important thoughts here, Jay, beautifully put. As writers, we have a unique ability to communicate in ways that often resonate and give readers ideas of their own. When the message is about our humanity our words may matter even more. We need to be clear. We need to be able to stand by our words. And we need to present them in a way that they will be heard.
Seems daunting, maybe, but we take on our mission willingly. Nobody forces us. We're, in a way, built for this.
Two things:
1. I believe there is a name was missing on that list: Ramona Grigg.
2. Thanks for reminding me of the incomparable Molly Ivins. She is missed. There aren't many political writers with a better combination of sharp observations, acerbic wit, humor inducing belly laughs, and all with an urgency to make you get up off the couch.
I've got to sit with the sentiment in this piece. It's definitely a wrestling match for me between erudition or relatability. I hope there are ways to do both and we all find our own, if we want that.
Loved Molly. I have every book of hers, plus the biography. She was amazing. It shouldn’t come as any surprise that I used her as a mentor.
As for erudition and relatability, I think they go can go hand-in-hand. Language is fluid and flexible and can adjust to almost anything.