Real Questions (Sunday Summary)

This has been a difficult week. There’s been so much for us to be sad about, to be angry about, to be frustrated by. We are so familiar with this cycle. An act of violence. A flood of emotions like shock, horror, outrage and grief. A series of platitudes and mock-action. Then a return to the status quo. Or maybe that cycle is part of the status quo. It’s disheartening to see the way this plays out time and time again. Some people are asking the real questions. (“Why does this only happen in the United States?” “Why won’t our leaders grow a pair of ovaries and pass some common-sense gun legislation?” “How many more?”)

We aren’t a political site. We never set out to be one. And yet we recognize that, like Toni Morrison says, “The best art is political and you ought to be able to make it unquestionably political and irrevocably beautiful at the same time.” Making real art means asking real questions.

We know that our 2 Rules writers will address the events of this week as they process their own thoughts and feelings. We know they will reach out for support and we hope you are dong the same. And with that knowledge that art is political as well as personal, our writers take the advice of Maxine Hong Kingston: “In a time of destruction, create something.” If creating something helps you to cope with these events, create something. If enjoying the creativity of others helps you to cope, then enjoy it. Whatever you do, love the people around you a little harder. And reach out for help when you can.

Monday

“I give space for joy, love and success, and for grief and mourning, loss and growth. I will wear my red ribbon until there is no longer a need to do it. “

Pride Month Preview. This Monday, in lieu of Erika’s usual content, we brought you a repost from last summer. In one of the most moving pieces we’ve shared, Erika took a look back at forty years of HIV. She takes us on a journey that mixes history, politics, activism, and her personal story to help us see how HIV has affected all of us.

It’s so important that people like Erika tell their stories. Erika has never tested positive for HIV. So she is all the more committed to telling the stories of her friends and patients who are no longer able to tell their own stories.

Tuesday

“Once I stopped my academic writing, the next question was: what can I write? I knew I wanted to write. But what? Well, it just so happens that I am an expert in myself. Hence essays like this one. And it just so happens I like telling stories. Hence I have been doing that, as well.”

Everyone asks writers about where they get their ideas. Is that really the question we should be asking? Are there better questions we could ask writers? On Tuesday Adam looks at the real questions we might benefit from asking writers. Perhaps even more important, he has us thinking about the questions we might benefit from asking ourselves. Do we write because we love it? Or because we want to be seen as writers? If it’s the latter, what would we rather be doing? What would bring us real joy? Real meaning?

Wednesday

“I’d also like a roll of aluminum foil to wrap myself in. One that might repel the children when I need some quiet time to grade all of their chaotically erased work. “

It’s the end of the school year and we’re paying another visit to Ms. Lacrete’s classroom. As the school year wraps up, Ms. Lacrete is already looking ahead to next year and preparing her school supply wish list. Of course there are the usual things like notebooks and pencils and crayons, but what are the real things a teacher wishes for? Pour a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, make a snack, and let Ms. Lacrete tell you more.

The news is so full of the big problems concerning classrooms that we forget about the little ones. As long as there are teachers and classrooms, those classrooms must be supplied.

Thursday

“Is there a better way to encourage a child to open that mysterious, hidden box than to tell her that she’s not allowed to go into the box? It was as if someone had dared us to take one.”

Let’s talk about sex. Well actually, let’s talk about sex education. We can’t protect kids from learning about sex. We can protect them from misinformation. And when Erika was growing up, learning about sex from “the good parts” of books provided some of the roots of her sex education. Along with the conversations about those books. Kids now have access to so much more than that. Adults forget what it was like being a kid. We think we have the little monsters fooled. Meanwhile, kids are gossiping about the real questions the adults in their lives can’t or won’t answer. And getting stuffed to the gills on information and misinformation alike.

So the real question is: are adults prepared to step up and answer kids’ questions? Even if they don’t know the whole answer? Even if it makes them look foolish? What about if they have to reexamine their prejudices?

Friday

“Don’t get me wrong, I like vanilla ice cream. I did then and I do now. But there was definitely an appeal in at least trying the chocolate side sometimes.” 

We’re still excitedly preparing for Pride Month, which is only a few days away. And so as we do that, we revisit another post from last year about ice cream. Sort of. Enjoy this lighthearted take from Erika about some of the ways we look at sexuality. And a scoop of your favorite frozen treat with it.

Saturday

“But for better or worse, most mystery writers are not that self-aware. Nor that concerned with the systemic issues that lead to crime in the first place. Or if they are, it’s just to add some sympathetic color to the perpetrator’s character.”

Who left pawprints in the butter? This week the cats are wondering about your favorite mysteries. And about other favorite stories. Come share your favorites with them, and with our human readers. Maybe you’ll find some new recommendations, too. And if you know who left the pawprints, please let Erika know.

Looking Ahead

Erika is planning to return to her usual Monday slot and is already hard at work on a piece about some current events. We’ll bring you a new piece from Huiwen Shi this week, too. And of course, we’re planning some content to celebrate Pride Month, which kicks off Wednesday. If you’re looking for things to read in the meantime, we recommend that you visit our Rainbow Collection page, which has all of our queer content in one convenient place for you.

We hope you’re finding some peace in a difficult time. We hope you’re surrounded by the love you need. We’re glad you’re here sharing our 2 Rules space with us