DISQUS

patience

Non-Violent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg. It has taught me to take responsibility for my own feelings, listen empathically to others, get clear about what I'm needing, and communicate my needs in a way that doesn't coax or manipulate. The testimonials or real life examples in the book are really inspiring, moving, and easy to connect to.

chivalry. soft butches with swagger. women athletes in shorts, running shoes, and short socks (where the calf tapers to the ankle) - they're strong and capable, which is totally sexy. new love affairs (causing butterflies like nothing else). confidence. hearing what my lover desires about me and being able to say what I desire about her or him. eyes that sparkle. echoing Carrie: people who listen. finally and most definitely: passion, in and out of the bedroom.

if I could change only one thing it would be to erase the feeling of competition and scarcity between workers - for pay, for meaningful work, for jobs in general. this is what keeps us pitted against each other and divided so that we can't make large gains for all people. we fear we might lose the small piece of the pie that we've been able to get to survive; or if we haven't been able to get what we need to survive, we often fall victim to blaming immigrant workers, foreign workers (where jobs have been outsourced), etc. instead of examining the larger structure. oh, and motherhood should be recognized as work - hard work!

Transfeminism at a queer youth conference facilitated by two trans men. It was so powerful for me as a feminist to challenge my prejudices about trans women not knowing what sexism is really like and trans men rejecting their female identities so as to receive male privilege. Instead, the facilitators, Gunner Scott and Nathan Levitt, outlined the ways in which we have common struggles and common interests in challenging all oppression. It was eye-opening - I definitely had an "a-ha!" moment.

Instantly I thought of something I heard Amy Goodman say at a speaking event in my community: It's 2008, we don't need to wage wars anymore. We know other ways to resolve conflict. People everywhere are creative and compassionate and smart and we have the capacity to end war.