In LA I lived amongst White Nationalist in our Westside neighborhood. The stats on Trump voters in Southern California are eyeball peeling. Most of Beverly Hills. Is filled with Eva Brauns. The amazing Sarah Kendzior has just begun posting here in Substack. Let’s give political thinkers like her a boost instead of fleeing an app which is very much current to resembling our culture at large. I refuse to keep moving.
So sorry about the return of COVID, Sari. I'm glad you've kept your sense of humor over it.
I agree, though, there is no humor to the ongoing Nazi dilemma here at Substack. I'm not leaving, either, and I'll continue to appreciate Substack itself while still being disappointed (a nice word for it) by the actions of Substack's founders.
I have nothing to add to anything you've said about the Nazi dilemma, Sari. I agree with everything you've said and feel the same passion about it. The free speech argument is meaningless when we're talking about known fascists who proudly wear the Nazi brand. They're the enemy, they'll always be the enemy, and we owe them nothing.
Their actions, including their words, demand consequences. Giving them the freedom to attack any American, verbally or otherwise, is giving them full permission to carry on.
That's not a signal I'm ever going to give, nor will I ever stop fighting against them.
Thank you for this, Sari. I was one of the folks who first signed on to the letter, and I've also made the decision to stay, for reasons similar to yours. I'm sorry you've had to process this over the past week with your particular family history (and during the holidays), but I'm grateful that you, like many larger pubs I respect, are letting your voice and opinion be heard. It's meaningful, and I hope they're reading.
Sorry to hear about the COVID. We just had it, so, yeah, it sucks.
Thanks for signing on. Your name means a lot. Your analysis seems spot on.
Some are considering leaving the platform. I hope they - and you - stay. It's almost impossible to do anything in this late-stage capitalist economy without doing some harm. May the good we do outweigh the harm. May the compassion we offer outweigh any suffering we cause.
I got my first unsubscribe from a paid subscriber today who explained her reason as not wanting to support Substack's Nazis. I wanted to write back and say, but, but! you're also supporting me, the daughter of a man who survived the Holocaust and the majority of whose family was murdered by the Nazis. But I didn't. Thank you @SariBotton for your thoughts on the issue. I agree. (And please feel better from Covid quickly!)
I was wondering how you could be financially rewarded for all your incredible work, esp in creating Oldster Magazine. I decided to nominate you for a MacArthur Genius Award -- $800K, spread over 5 years. Your work is original, creative, and improves humankind. However, after researching it, I see regular people cannot nominate others. You have to be a super secret, anonymous, randomly chosen selector of nominees. So, perhaps one of those people is reading this post -- I hope so! Please nominate Sari!
I am so grateful to you for writing this — how did you get so much clarity on the (web) page in the midst of covid?? Wishing you a speedy recovery and joining you in hoping the Substack leadership grows a spine and starts doing something for the writers who are creating such a rich, abundant world of writing on this platform. <3
Thank you, Mikhal. Actually, I think Covid made me unhinged enough to post this. Lol. If me head were clearer I might have just focused on my work and tried to unsee…certain things.
Haha yeah I can see that... I think there's so much awfulness it's tempting to try to unsee. When I had Covid I mostly just wallowed in self-pity and def wasn't able to be present enough to see anything except how awful I felt.
Feel better soon, and I hope you get to have that family time. 🤞🏻
And fuck Nazis. My dad didn’t quit high school to join the navy and fight in WWII to have us see a revival of this Nazi BS. Let’s do all we can to shut that down.
Hard to "like" this post, with its Covid, and Nazis, and the Holocaust. But I like you :) and love your mission in the world. It seems there is no ethical consumption under capitalism. I hope someone willing to ban hate speech starts a viable competitor to Substack if this platform is allowing white supremecy to flourish in the name of free speech. But I wholeheartedly agree with not leaving. I second the Pultizer Prize comment!
We both just tested negative today!!! THANK GOD. Its been over a week. We both had it around this time last year, too. It was more mild this time, which is a relief, but we are fatigued and bored!!!
In LA I lived amongst White Nationalist in our Westside neighborhood. The stats on Trump voters in Southern California are eyeball peeling. Most of Beverly Hills. Is filled with Eva Brauns. The amazing Sarah Kendzior has just begun posting here in Substack. Let’s give political thinkers like her a boost instead of fleeing an app which is very much current to resembling our culture at large. I refuse to keep moving.
Yes! And all the platforms and companies have these problems. I love Kendzior’s work. Thanks for letting me know she’s on here.
So sorry about the return of COVID, Sari. I'm glad you've kept your sense of humor over it.
I agree, though, there is no humor to the ongoing Nazi dilemma here at Substack. I'm not leaving, either, and I'll continue to appreciate Substack itself while still being disappointed (a nice word for it) by the actions of Substack's founders.
I have nothing to add to anything you've said about the Nazi dilemma, Sari. I agree with everything you've said and feel the same passion about it. The free speech argument is meaningless when we're talking about known fascists who proudly wear the Nazi brand. They're the enemy, they'll always be the enemy, and we owe them nothing.
Their actions, including their words, demand consequences. Giving them the freedom to attack any American, verbally or otherwise, is giving them full permission to carry on.
That's not a signal I'm ever going to give, nor will I ever stop fighting against them.
Thanks, Ramona.
Thank you for this, Sari. I was one of the folks who first signed on to the letter, and I've also made the decision to stay, for reasons similar to yours. I'm sorry you've had to process this over the past week with your particular family history (and during the holidays), but I'm grateful that you, like many larger pubs I respect, are letting your voice and opinion be heard. It's meaningful, and I hope they're reading.
Sorry to hear about the COVID. We just had it, so, yeah, it sucks.
Thanks for signing on. Your name means a lot. Your analysis seems spot on.
Some are considering leaving the platform. I hope they - and you - stay. It's almost impossible to do anything in this late-stage capitalist economy without doing some harm. May the good we do outweigh the harm. May the compassion we offer outweigh any suffering we cause.
Amen. And thank you.
Boo COVID!
The Nazi thing is so fucking depressing. I don’t make a living here, nor am I Jewish, so I get how this is even more troubling for you.
I’ll be on Notes banging the drum and letting the jester in me out to make what is definitely not funny somewhat funny, if only for morale.
Thanks, Cabot.
Thank you for speaking up, Sari.
<3
> Brian has pointed out to me several times lately that I’ve been sighing and muttering to myself around the house.
This is literally also me since these events took over. Thank you for your candour and moral clarity, Sari. ❤️
I hope you beat the Covid soon. I had two Christmas-es ago and it took the whole week. 😒
Thank you, Nishant! I'm glad to know it's not just me. And fingers crossed we test positive by Friday...
Negative, surely!
Derp!!!! Lol. Covid brain fog FTW!
Ditto!
I got my first unsubscribe from a paid subscriber today who explained her reason as not wanting to support Substack's Nazis. I wanted to write back and say, but, but! you're also supporting me, the daughter of a man who survived the Holocaust and the majority of whose family was murdered by the Nazis. But I didn't. Thank you @SariBotton for your thoughts on the issue. I agree. (And please feel better from Covid quickly!)
I’m so sorry. 💕
I was wondering how you could be financially rewarded for all your incredible work, esp in creating Oldster Magazine. I decided to nominate you for a MacArthur Genius Award -- $800K, spread over 5 years. Your work is original, creative, and improves humankind. However, after researching it, I see regular people cannot nominate others. You have to be a super secret, anonymous, randomly chosen selector of nominees. So, perhaps one of those people is reading this post -- I hope so! Please nominate Sari!
Omg, thank you. If only!
I am so grateful to you for writing this — how did you get so much clarity on the (web) page in the midst of covid?? Wishing you a speedy recovery and joining you in hoping the Substack leadership grows a spine and starts doing something for the writers who are creating such a rich, abundant world of writing on this platform. <3
Thank you, Mikhal. Actually, I think Covid made me unhinged enough to post this. Lol. If me head were clearer I might have just focused on my work and tried to unsee…certain things.
Haha yeah I can see that... I think there's so much awfulness it's tempting to try to unsee. When I had Covid I mostly just wallowed in self-pity and def wasn't able to be present enough to see anything except how awful I felt.
Feel better soon, and I hope you get to have that family time. 🤞🏻
And fuck Nazis. My dad didn’t quit high school to join the navy and fight in WWII to have us see a revival of this Nazi BS. Let’s do all we can to shut that down.
Yes! And thank you.
Hard to "like" this post, with its Covid, and Nazis, and the Holocaust. But I like you :) and love your mission in the world. It seems there is no ethical consumption under capitalism. I hope someone willing to ban hate speech starts a viable competitor to Substack if this platform is allowing white supremecy to flourish in the name of free speech. But I wholeheartedly agree with not leaving. I second the Pultizer Prize comment!
Steph!!! I love you. Thank you. <3
I decided to stay, too. My audience is tiny but I don't want to lose them.
Feel better!
Thank you.
I guess the only appropriate mask for some in the US is a cone shaped full head covering with eye holes formed from white cloth.
Ooof.
My husband and I are both getting over COVID! I feel like everyone is getting it. Feel better soon!
And I agree with everything else you said 100%.
Thank you, Kari. <3 I hope you and your husband are all better soon. I tested positive again this morning...Ugh.
We both just tested negative today!!! THANK GOD. Its been over a week. We both had it around this time last year, too. It was more mild this time, which is a relief, but we are fatigued and bored!!!