I’m sorry - the extra anxiety re: keeping providers who know you and systems you already know how to navigate is a tax that people in decent countries with real healthcare never have to pay!
And the folks who dismiss that tax - extra energy and cost? Lucky them to not have medical or financial vulnerabilities.
From Spain (Europe). The current trend in international politics is a real headache for the diversity of voices around the world. It is essential that no concessions be made to the dominant narrative that restricts key voices in advancing civil rights struggles, feminism, and any other issue related to the visibility and expression of marginalized people's opinions—whether because they are a minority or because they hold little or no real power. As you rightly say, IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO FIGHT THIS WAY FOR KIMMEL AND NOT DO SO EQUALLY FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT FIT THE SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE STANDARD."
Instead of "SOCIALLY ACCEPABLE STANDARD" I would say "socially unacceptable tribalism". My "tribe" is the human race, despite once being accused of being "white".
This type of thinking is what has people giving police and ICE a pass. Integrity is everything. We gotta create communities of support and accountability so ppl are empowered to make the right decisions.
I wondered what happened to the rest of this sentence fragment: "Meanwhile, places like the New York Times are"?
I'd love to hear the rest but perhaps you decided not to get into it? This situation with you personally and so many others is heartbreaking. I was aghast to be reading *on Veterans Day* about how the current US regime just got rid of monuments to WWII soldiers of color in Europe!
What the actual F? It's clearly systematic, and it's sickening.
"Meanwhile, places like the New York Times are openly questioning whether women have messed up the workplace."
And yes, I read this about the DEI purge having tentacles abroad. White supremacy has always been global, and the monuments' situation is a testament to that.
I am more angry at and contemptuous of the NYT than even Fox News. The Times assumes its position of moral authority, whilst all the time advocating for a Status Quo which serves only the top 10%.
I am sorry that you, in this time of displacement and acute vulnerability, were hit by their let's-go-along-with-the-bros-zeitgeist.
The active participation of half of the population has help correct much of a corrupted work place of the past.
No way women should be treated like slaves.
As for "white suppremacy", if the bigots think they need special treatment to level the playing field, that is an admission of inferiority. Just looking at those who are the most bigoted, it becomes very clear.
While I am white, I have been purged from jobs due to my positions on certain issues. It's not fun, it's painful, but I always came out ahead in the long run. I ended up with more challenging and interesting jobs in my field (and considerably larger paychecks) and used the time I was laid off or out of work finishing a master's degree and spending time with my children that I normally would not have had for them. I learned that life is not fair and that I can't change that, but I can remain true to my principles. Being myself is worth a lot.
I am as concerned about the extinguishment of female voices, Black voices and female Black voices in journalism as I am about everything else. I hate what WaPo did to you and others, and of course I unsubscribed. Keep writing. Keep speaking. Keep fighting.
I got fired from a media company for, and this was the reason they gave me, being “too nice” to the crew and on-air talent. Then the owners sucked all the resources out of our channel to create Real America’s Voice, home of Steve Bannon’s War Room and the late Charlie Kirk’s Show.
It is a badge of honor that I had no part in platforming that hateful and divisive nonsense.
When you were fired I canceled my Washington Post subscription. A small gesture on my part - but a big step for me. I'm glad you are now ready to move forward - your work and what you have to contribute is so important!
For those of us who'd already dropped our WaPo subs before they let you go, there must be other specific steps we should be taking to support Karen and all the other journalists out there either compromising their values or dealing with the consequences of not compromising those values. Any suggestions? Any places or causes that might be particularly effective?
I am one of those who signed up for your online class. It was a heroic effort on your part, but I agree, all of this horror has and is taking a toll. We are living through awful times and anger and grief are appropriate and healthy responses. Rest and recovery are both necessary and impossible under these circumstances. I am hoping for more near future consolation and comfort and professional security for you.
Sending you the best wishes. I don’t pretend to know what you are going through or how it feels at all, but am also going through a year of upheaval and uncertainty, and it isn’t easy. Wishing you strength and peace.
Karen Attiah, Congratulations! on your new life on 11-11. Everything will work out for you and is working out for you. You are your Ancestors' harvest of their wildest dreams. Realize your sovereignty as a person and Rise Up to the Vision you were born to manifest. Pause, Digest and Take Your Time.
Do you know how many subscribers you had on Substack before being fired? Maybe it was just the wrong kick in the behind, but with the right consequences 😊
Gosh.. maybe like 15k, I suppose... before the firing. And then there was the rush of heat and attention-- and then I had to take a month to actually think!
You’re a half is glass full type, huh? 😃 I get the upgrade and be proud comments but they may be a bit premature for her nervous system. That will come eventually! Further away from worrying about paying bills 🤷♀️
I’m not saying if it’s premature or not for her nervous system. I’m just used to trying to help when someone is down. And, sometimes, highlighting the good helps.
You’re making a confusion. I didn’t say that her getting fired was a badge of honor. I’m thinking that means something else. What I said was simply undermining the positive aspects. And not dismissing the negative either, as you can probably see in my other comments.
I am sorry you are dealing with this, and so publicly! I know it is difficult, and please continue to take care of yourself. And FYI, reading your writing has made me, and I am sure many others, better and braver writers.
I love your work and am grateful for being able to read about your journey. As a husband and father and primary bread winner, I completely understand the need to mute my voice at times to keep food on the table, health insurance, etc for all of us. I try to be strategic and add value and support and build up ppl where I can. Because of this, I rely on you and ppl like you to be my ambassador.
The ppl with power were never going to let it go. They were always going to use every tool they have to keep it because they are cowards. They think they need it to live. So They were always going to lie and use their money to silence everyone that’s a threat or that they couldn’t convince; it’s how ppl like that have always functioned throughout history. But out of darkness comes light. And you are one of the lights like the people that came before us that have pushed and sacrificed and taught
Keep writing. Like you, I find writing is giving meaning to aspects of life. I am taken aback by how racist the Republicans have begun. Anti-woke is primarily anti-black. So write... and fight!
Losing one’s health insurance and other benefits? Hard to eat or pay the mortgage with a “badge of honor”.
Oof.
That part. Sigh.
I’m sorry - the extra anxiety re: keeping providers who know you and systems you already know how to navigate is a tax that people in decent countries with real healthcare never have to pay!
And the folks who dismiss that tax - extra energy and cost? Lucky them to not have medical or financial vulnerabilities.
From Spain (Europe). The current trend in international politics is a real headache for the diversity of voices around the world. It is essential that no concessions be made to the dominant narrative that restricts key voices in advancing civil rights struggles, feminism, and any other issue related to the visibility and expression of marginalized people's opinions—whether because they are a minority or because they hold little or no real power. As you rightly say, IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO FIGHT THIS WAY FOR KIMMEL AND NOT DO SO EQUALLY FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT FIT THE SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE STANDARD."
Instead of "SOCIALLY ACCEPABLE STANDARD" I would say "socially unacceptable tribalism". My "tribe" is the human race, despite once being accused of being "white".
This type of thinking is what has people giving police and ICE a pass. Integrity is everything. We gotta create communities of support and accountability so ppl are empowered to make the right decisions.
Karen, on this Armistice Day, thank you for everything. Thank you for being open about the mental toll.
I wondered what happened to the rest of this sentence fragment: "Meanwhile, places like the New York Times are"?
I'd love to hear the rest but perhaps you decided not to get into it? This situation with you personally and so many others is heartbreaking. I was aghast to be reading *on Veterans Day* about how the current US regime just got rid of monuments to WWII soldiers of color in Europe!
What the actual F? It's clearly systematic, and it's sickening.
Ah! This is fixed!
"Meanwhile, places like the New York Times are openly questioning whether women have messed up the workplace."
And yes, I read this about the DEI purge having tentacles abroad. White supremacy has always been global, and the monuments' situation is a testament to that.
I am more angry at and contemptuous of the NYT than even Fox News. The Times assumes its position of moral authority, whilst all the time advocating for a Status Quo which serves only the top 10%.
I am sorry that you, in this time of displacement and acute vulnerability, were hit by their let's-go-along-with-the-bros-zeitgeist.
The active participation of half of the population has help correct much of a corrupted work place of the past.
No way women should be treated like slaves.
As for "white suppremacy", if the bigots think they need special treatment to level the playing field, that is an admission of inferiority. Just looking at those who are the most bigoted, it becomes very clear.
He's all about inflicting pain, all kinds, on as many as possible. He's what grew in a
petri dish that had all the empathy removed.
While I am white, I have been purged from jobs due to my positions on certain issues. It's not fun, it's painful, but I always came out ahead in the long run. I ended up with more challenging and interesting jobs in my field (and considerably larger paychecks) and used the time I was laid off or out of work finishing a master's degree and spending time with my children that I normally would not have had for them. I learned that life is not fair and that I can't change that, but I can remain true to my principles. Being myself is worth a lot.
I am as concerned about the extinguishment of female voices, Black voices and female Black voices in journalism as I am about everything else. I hate what WaPo did to you and others, and of course I unsubscribed. Keep writing. Keep speaking. Keep fighting.
Thank you for sharing this. 🙂
I got fired from a media company for, and this was the reason they gave me, being “too nice” to the crew and on-air talent. Then the owners sucked all the resources out of our channel to create Real America’s Voice, home of Steve Bannon’s War Room and the late Charlie Kirk’s Show.
It is a badge of honor that I had no part in platforming that hateful and divisive nonsense.
When you were fired I canceled my Washington Post subscription. A small gesture on my part - but a big step for me. I'm glad you are now ready to move forward - your work and what you have to contribute is so important!
For those of us who'd already dropped our WaPo subs before they let you go, there must be other specific steps we should be taking to support Karen and all the other journalists out there either compromising their values or dealing with the consequences of not compromising those values. Any suggestions? Any places or causes that might be particularly effective?
I am one of those who signed up for your online class. It was a heroic effort on your part, but I agree, all of this horror has and is taking a toll. We are living through awful times and anger and grief are appropriate and healthy responses. Rest and recovery are both necessary and impossible under these circumstances. I am hoping for more near future consolation and comfort and professional security for you.
Thank you so much !
Sending you the best wishes. I don’t pretend to know what you are going through or how it feels at all, but am also going through a year of upheaval and uncertainty, and it isn’t easy. Wishing you strength and peace.
Karen Attiah, Congratulations! on your new life on 11-11. Everything will work out for you and is working out for you. You are your Ancestors' harvest of their wildest dreams. Realize your sovereignty as a person and Rise Up to the Vision you were born to manifest. Pause, Digest and Take Your Time.
Keep on fighting, keep on writing. You don't need badges. Wishing you the best of luck from an old white male in England 👍👍🏿🤞
Do you know how many subscribers you had on Substack before being fired? Maybe it was just the wrong kick in the behind, but with the right consequences 😊
Gosh.. maybe like 15k, I suppose... before the firing. And then there was the rush of heat and attention-- and then I had to take a month to actually think!
Now you’re at 52k+ and a Substack bestseller :) i would call that…evolution :)
My nervous system hasn't caught up to reality yet!
You’re a half is glass full type, huh? 😃 I get the upgrade and be proud comments but they may be a bit premature for her nervous system. That will come eventually! Further away from worrying about paying bills 🤷♀️
I’m not saying if it’s premature or not for her nervous system. I’m just used to trying to help when someone is down. And, sometimes, highlighting the good helps.
Yes, I am. I don’t see any good outcome if I’m being a glass half empty type. Do you? :)
And that’s absolutely fine. We all have our own pace in which we manage situations that are out of our ordinary.
And of course there was the rush and attention and panic maybe also. Anxiety even. But everything happened for the better.
You're literally doing what she said men are doing to her in this piece. Come on, dude.
You’re making a confusion. I didn’t say that her getting fired was a badge of honor. I’m thinking that means something else. What I said was simply undermining the positive aspects. And not dismissing the negative either, as you can probably see in my other comments.
I am sorry you are dealing with this, and so publicly! I know it is difficult, and please continue to take care of yourself. And FYI, reading your writing has made me, and I am sure many others, better and braver writers.
I love your work and am grateful for being able to read about your journey. As a husband and father and primary bread winner, I completely understand the need to mute my voice at times to keep food on the table, health insurance, etc for all of us. I try to be strategic and add value and support and build up ppl where I can. Because of this, I rely on you and ppl like you to be my ambassador.
The ppl with power were never going to let it go. They were always going to use every tool they have to keep it because they are cowards. They think they need it to live. So They were always going to lie and use their money to silence everyone that’s a threat or that they couldn’t convince; it’s how ppl like that have always functioned throughout history. But out of darkness comes light. And you are one of the lights like the people that came before us that have pushed and sacrificed and taught
Keep writing. Like you, I find writing is giving meaning to aspects of life. I am taken aback by how racist the Republicans have begun. Anti-woke is primarily anti-black. So write... and fight!