racism – By My Solitary Hearth

The Daily: 30 July 2024

July 30, 2024July 27, 2024 Eliza Daley2 Comments

The last two weeks have been an object lesson in the embarrassing subconscious bigotry of white men. First, I encountered an essayist that said he didn't read much written by women, even as he admitted that women write more than half of the printed words. He excused himself by claiming that most of the writing… Continue reading The Daily: 30 July 2024

The Daily: 19 June 2024

June 19, 2024June 9, 2024 Eliza Daley1 Comment

Juneteenth Today is Juneteenth. Specifically, today is the 159th anniversary of the reading of General Order No. 3 by Union Army general Gordon Granger. This was the order which served as the Texas version of the Emancipation Proclamation, a full two years after President Lincoln and the federal government (such as it was) freed all slaves.… Continue reading The Daily: 19 June 2024

Conservative, Not Racist

February 23, 2022February 25, 2022 Eliza Daley3 Comments

My neighbor is a writer. He does about one column a fortnight for a local paper and has written at least one novel. He said something in a recent article that has been rattling about in my head for weeks. He observed that he is a conservative, white, old man and yet not a racist.… Continue reading Conservative, Not Racist

It’s Not Enough

March 19, 2021March 19, 2021 Eliza Daley

I’ve been having a bad week. Surprisingly, I do not have a sudden urge to buy guns and use them. It’s rather unsettling that I have no doubt that I could do that. Today. Just walk across the street from my house and buy a gun from the “vintage military” dealer over there and then… Continue reading It’s Not Enough

Tear It Down to Build It Up

March 5, 2021March 5, 2021 Eliza Daley

Last week I talked about the things that you can do. I think a follow-up is necessary. These are the things we need to build into society, things we must do collectively. This list is just as important, but it will take much more work. Very likely a good deal of pain. These are problems… Continue reading Tear It Down to Build It Up

Whiteness

March 3, 2021March 5, 2021 Eliza Daley2 Comments

Political cartoon by Dr Seuss, signed as such. (Copyright Marshall Field 1942, The Newspaper PM) This week white America finally noticed the disturbing racism of Theodor Geisel. I submit that it’s not merely the appalling cartoons he made for adult audiences, but the complete lack of any human skin tone other than white in all… Continue reading Whiteness

Among the Unmasked

January 22, 2021January 29, 2021 Eliza Daley

I hate living among the unmasked. Because I don’t want to see how ugly and stupid and infinitely disappointing humans can be. I want to live in a world where masks are not required.