The essays come first again. Shorter Blackout Briefs, a different home for video, and an overdue update on the publication your support makes possible.
Hi. I'm one of your paid subscribers, and I just wanted to let you know where I'm coming from. I'm an old white guy, early boomer, strong supporter of the Civil Rights movement of the 60s. Also a Vietnam veteran, generally socially conservative, politically/economically liberal. But I am also the product of 1950s "white flight," though I never thought of it like that at the time (I was nine when we moved to the suburbs). I have had very little social interaction with Black people in my life and have never had a Black personal friend, though I have had many Black work colleagues and sports teammates. And, as you can see from what I've just written, I'm aware of the situation. I am not dismayed by its description as "white privilege." Hell, when you're the point of reference, the standard by which "normal" is established, it's hard to think of yourself as privileged. Especially when you don't have much money. :-)
I subscribed, and shall continue to subscribe, because I admire your writing and am impressed by your dedication to this project. But I also subscribe for two other reasons: you cover subject matter that is otherwise ignored by most mainstream and social media and you provide a Black perspective on subjects with which I thought I was familiar. You provide a way of looking at things that helps me better understand the world, our country, and our culture.
I'm a reader more than a listener or viewer. I don't do podcasts and rarely watch videos. So I like the idea of you returning to your emphasis on essays. But in this case I'm probably in the minority, so I'm also glad that you will be keeping the videos/podcasts for those who prefer them. The more support you receive (and you do deserve it) the better it is for all of us. Please keep up the good work and don't let "them" or the perceived indifference of your intended audience grind you down. We're listening (or reading, as the case may be). Best wishes.
I'm a paid subscriber. I try to support independent voices that offer a unique perspective--and you do that. I didn't learn about Reconstruction until I started reading history books- it was one page in our American History class- should have been a couple chapters. I taught in a prison before I retired and met a lot of Black students who shouldn't have been there--WOULDN'T have been there, if they had been given a decent set of goals when they were young and could get away from the culture of violence our society is steeped in. I will watch a video once in awhile but I am primarily a reader. If you finish your book I would be willing to collaborate on a graphic novel, as I am also an artist.
Your reports fill an urgent unique station woven from the fabric and spirit of this nation's power base, many conjured from the back pages of corporate propaganda mills, international and independent investigators and journalists.
Historic narratives are reshaped personally and institutionally to favor the victors, and as I retreat from the official reports, I find them lacking. The U.S. civil war has not ended, and we have a collective duty to ourselves and our fellow earthlings to correct inaccuracies and bad policy. I look forward to reading "War After War," and expect it to become essential to the weave of our quest to create a more perfect union.
Just note ---> I never watch long videos. Email with subject lines that say Live Video get deleted, not opened. I almost never watch clips. I'm a reader, not a watcher. I feel that's a far better investment of my time & attention. If Substack keeps emphasizing video, I'll gradually drift away & supply the information I want & need in some other way.
Ditto if they insist I "install the app" in order to even read posts. I'm not going to install the app. Call me a dinosaur. (I read in the browser, not the email. But I'm not going to install the app.)
FWIW ... all this is what will eventually persuade me to abandon Substack. Also, FWIW ... there is AMAZING talent on Substack -- including you. I truly enjoy engaging with so many fascinating minds.
I love that you will be focusing on news from the LGBTQ+ and Black authored news sources as well as reports from outside the US. To avoid overwhelming myself with the news, I generally cut myself off after my last cup of coffee in the morning, so having an update from you to read side-by-side with my other regular authors will be perfect. And nicely offer me news tidbits to share with my students. Thank you from this subscriber
Hi. I'm one of your paid subscribers, and I just wanted to let you know where I'm coming from. I'm an old white guy, early boomer, strong supporter of the Civil Rights movement of the 60s. Also a Vietnam veteran, generally socially conservative, politically/economically liberal. But I am also the product of 1950s "white flight," though I never thought of it like that at the time (I was nine when we moved to the suburbs). I have had very little social interaction with Black people in my life and have never had a Black personal friend, though I have had many Black work colleagues and sports teammates. And, as you can see from what I've just written, I'm aware of the situation. I am not dismayed by its description as "white privilege." Hell, when you're the point of reference, the standard by which "normal" is established, it's hard to think of yourself as privileged. Especially when you don't have much money. :-)
I subscribed, and shall continue to subscribe, because I admire your writing and am impressed by your dedication to this project. But I also subscribe for two other reasons: you cover subject matter that is otherwise ignored by most mainstream and social media and you provide a Black perspective on subjects with which I thought I was familiar. You provide a way of looking at things that helps me better understand the world, our country, and our culture.
I'm a reader more than a listener or viewer. I don't do podcasts and rarely watch videos. So I like the idea of you returning to your emphasis on essays. But in this case I'm probably in the minority, so I'm also glad that you will be keeping the videos/podcasts for those who prefer them. The more support you receive (and you do deserve it) the better it is for all of us. Please keep up the good work and don't let "them" or the perceived indifference of your intended audience grind you down. We're listening (or reading, as the case may be). Best wishes.
Thanks for that encouragement…very much worth my time to read and thanking for taking the time to write such a thorough and heartfelt comment.
My thoughts are much the same. Thanks for commenting so thoughtfully.
As a "reader" paid subscriber, I'm really looking forward to your book!
Please keep up the good work. 😍
🙏
I'm a paid subscriber. I try to support independent voices that offer a unique perspective--and you do that. I didn't learn about Reconstruction until I started reading history books- it was one page in our American History class- should have been a couple chapters. I taught in a prison before I retired and met a lot of Black students who shouldn't have been there--WOULDN'T have been there, if they had been given a decent set of goals when they were young and could get away from the culture of violence our society is steeped in. I will watch a video once in awhile but I am primarily a reader. If you finish your book I would be willing to collaborate on a graphic novel, as I am also an artist.
Your reports fill an urgent unique station woven from the fabric and spirit of this nation's power base, many conjured from the back pages of corporate propaganda mills, international and independent investigators and journalists.
Historic narratives are reshaped personally and institutionally to favor the victors, and as I retreat from the official reports, I find them lacking. The U.S. civil war has not ended, and we have a collective duty to ourselves and our fellow earthlings to correct inaccuracies and bad policy. I look forward to reading "War After War," and expect it to become essential to the weave of our quest to create a more perfect union.
Just note ---> I never watch long videos. Email with subject lines that say Live Video get deleted, not opened. I almost never watch clips. I'm a reader, not a watcher. I feel that's a far better investment of my time & attention. If Substack keeps emphasizing video, I'll gradually drift away & supply the information I want & need in some other way.
Ditto if they insist I "install the app" in order to even read posts. I'm not going to install the app. Call me a dinosaur. (I read in the browser, not the email. But I'm not going to install the app.)
FWIW ... all this is what will eventually persuade me to abandon Substack. Also, FWIW ... there is AMAZING talent on Substack -- including you. I truly enjoy engaging with so many fascinating minds.
Also note ---> I speak only for myself. YMMV.
I love that you will be focusing on news from the LGBTQ+ and Black authored news sources as well as reports from outside the US. To avoid overwhelming myself with the news, I generally cut myself off after my last cup of coffee in the morning, so having an update from you to read side-by-side with my other regular authors will be perfect. And nicely offer me news tidbits to share with my students. Thank you from this subscriber
Thank you X.