A long, brute game

Surprise me View in browser October 19, 2018 Giovanna Swaby    This week As I've read the news lately, I've thought of this Annie Dillard quote: “Cruelty is a mystery, and the waste of pain. But if we describe a world to compass these things, a world that is a long, brute game, then we bump against another mystery: the inrush of power and light, the canary that sings on the skull.” Mostly, I've spent the week out of step with the world, tucked away on a retreat with my podcast collaborators before we head out on tour. Come see us! On today's episode, we talk about Elizabeth Warren's horrible decision to release the results of a DNA test, and the problems with the proliferation of 24 & Me in general. Plus, what happens when the worst people are the best-dressed?  I'm reading How a journalist’s death provoked a backlash that thousands dead in Yemen did not. A change in U.S. abortion policy has reverberated around the globe. An acclaimed charity working in Liberia was putting girls in danger. Right now, it's tyranny of the minority. They're getting five-year-olds to sign away their rights at the border. What women's speech is still not allowed to do. Kiese Laymon on flying and crashing, an excerpt from his memoir. How Black women are seizing this political moment. A sobering reminder of disparities in who is and isn't allowed to use marijuana in this country. A California congressman's family farm was secretly moved to Iowa. 61 things Trump has said about women. How employees are trying to evade their prying employers. Another case of discriminatory AI. Gerontocracy is a real threat, but Eileen Fisher is an icon. Solange is an inspiration. The Latinx founder changing the face of angel investing. The stylist who gets that clothing is a disability issue. The Evangelical Texan is now using her pulpit to fight Trumpism. Who does Southern femininity belong to? Confronting Dolly Parton's whiteness. The legacy of America's female spiritualists. Fashion's lord of darkness. A history of voguing. How Manhattan became a rich ghost town. The curse of gym selfies. Why Instagram loves poetry. The perfection of queso. Members only Become a paying member for just $5/year. [This is a secure site that takes all major credit cards but, unfortunately, not PayPal. For now.] I'd love your support. What are you missing? Click here to see what these pie charts are all about. I'm looking & listening Wake Me Up Gently. Laura Snapes on how Robyn transformed pop. "I'd Eat There!" Salt Fat Acid Heat. GIFspiration The full spectrum. I endorse Leaving a comment on the Trump administration’s proposed rule on family detention. I'll let Amnesty International explain: "After this summer’s uproar over the forced separation of thousands of parents and kids, President Trump signed a deceptive executive order. Instead of separating kids and their parents, Trump wants them together — in detention. The Trump administration wants to issue a new rule that will give them a blank check for jailing kids in family detention." The rule would: Permit long-term detention of children in family detention centers, which undermines the right to apply for asylum.  Give DHS the power to implement standards at family detention centers. Deprive children of the fair and humane opportunity to be released from family detention on bond or parole and preference to be released with their parents. Really. Not. Good. Between now and November 6th, the government has to accept comments from the public on this proposed new rule. That's where we come in. Let's flood them with comments. Click here and then click "Comment now." Amnesty has a template you can edit to put in your own words. You endorse Cuties Coffee Shop, "L.A.'s ONLY LGBTQ-centered coffee shop. They are in real danger of closing because of rising rents. With bright pink and turquoise walls, a radical zine library, a fridge full of kombucha and beet-pickled eggs, a basket of enamel pronoun pins for sale, and a stack of coloring books like Butch Lesbians of the 20s and 30s, Cuties has a warm, wonderful, welcoming vibe for the community. Aside from their regular coffee shop hours, they've been hosting events like QTBIPOC Femme Friday Flirts, movie screenings, "Queers, Coffee and Donuts" on Sunday mornings, and queer-centered group recovery meetings. They also have a community tab for customers who can't afford coffee. They need $12,000 in sustaining monthly Patreon support by November 1st or they will have to close up shop. Please please PLEASE consider supporting this vital community space." -Lauren (Also endorsed by reader R.! So this is basically a double-endorsement.) What do you endorse? Submit a link here. IRL I'm hitting the road with Call Your Girlfriend! Seriously, this live show is so much fun. Come hang out with us. Oct 21, San Francisco Oct 23, Portland Oct 24, Seattle Oct 26, Chicago Oct 28, Minneapolis Oct 30, Washington, DC Nov 2, Philadelphia Nov 3, Brooklyn Nov 4, Somerville, MA [sold out] The Classifieds 10 years ago, we thought eating Lean Pockets was a way to be healthy. 10 years from now, women may be as woke about clothes as they are their food. Make a positive change by signing up for And We Evolve, a style club and subscription box service for like-new secondhand fashion. Join Skillshare’s next Teaching Webinar and learn how professionals and freelancers from all over teach on Skillshare to earn passive income and give back. Don’t wait—the first 5 people who register with this link will win a microphone to help them film their class! Support "Gender, Justice & Politics: Movement from the Margins," an academic conference examining gender & identity in international affairs These ads work. Don't take it from me, take it from someone who's advertised: "My friends got me a classified ad to promote my newsletter for my birthday. Since then I've gotten over 100 new subscribers!" Testimonials "I frequently save reading my favorite newsletters for times when I can give them my full attention. I finally read a bunch this weekend and just want to shout out @twobossydames, @annehelen, & @annfriedman for being great." -Allison Kelly. I always love getting testimonials, but being in such good company is an extra treat. "Finally became a paying member of @annfriedman’s newsletter. Not sure why I was being a dummy for so long. Can’t wait for the pie charts." -Meaghan. They do not disappoint! This newsletter is an inrush of power and light. Forward it to the canary who sings on your skull. AF WEEKLY Subscribe Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Manage paid membership MORE ANN Email me About me Writing archive Public speaking Rent my brain Manage Preferences | Unsubscribe | Ladyswagger, Inc. PO Box 26932 | Los Angeles, CA 90026 © 2018