Comments on: Tales of a Reluctant Activist

By: Ashley Goldman

Ashley Goldman — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 23:33:16 +0000

Thank you so much for this! It’s so easy to avoid politics and divisive issues for fear of losing your following. I appreciate you using your platform to share your feelings on such an important topic!
<3

By: Kate Arends

Kate Arends — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 16:15:56 +0000

In reply to Tanner.

Hi Tanner! Thank you so much for your comment. We have some bigger projects planned for 2017 that involved community action, philanthropy, and storytelling not just with women of color but refugee families, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. Because you’re right, it’s not enough to just talk or provide a safe platform to share. But it’s a start. We’re working on it.

Please email me if you have any ideas on how we can proactively help our readers (many of which are white women) get involved. I would love to get as much insight as possible. kate@witanddelight.com

By: Liz

Liz — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 14:23:24 +0000

Thank you for sharing your story! I also marched in DC this weekend and wrestled with similar concerns. I’m still meditating on how I can be a more inclusive feminist going forward, as the commenter above speaks to. It’s a long road!

By: Tanner

Tanner — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 05:26:03 +0000

I appreciate this post, and I hope that as W&D becomes more vocal about these issues, a platform will be given not only to those joining the fight now, but to those who have never known privilege, or safety, in this country. Yes, white cis women showed up when their reproductive rights became endangered, but where were they when their black sisters were being killed by police? Or when their indigenous sisters were fighting for the land that was stolen from them? Or when their trans sisters were being harassed and assaulted and abused and murdered in the streets?

It is fantastic that white, privileged women are now recognizing there is work to be done, but it is not enough to offer those white women who have just joined the revolution a space to share their thoughts and not offer that same platform to those who have more experience with protesting and more knowledge of how to effectively fight back. I look forward to seeing more posts on this subject.

By: Gigi

Gigi — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 02:03:40 +0000

Thank you for having the courage to speak up! Even though I am in Australia, I am watching with horror developments in the states – the Trump effect is on the rise in other democracies like ours and it’s so disturbing, in particular the rise of anti-science and alternative facts (ie lies). All of us, the left and right side of political opinion, benefit from respecting the truth and offering equal opportunity to all.

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 21:40:12 +0000

This is an incredible post with so many sentiments that I relate to. I just heard Jamie Lee Curtis this morning say that she just “woke up politically” last year and I feel like I have too. I also didn’t think I had much of a voice because my life was pretty swell and so many others were speaking out, who am I to say anything? But yes, I’m late to the party too but I’m glad I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere. Thanks so much for writing this Bridgette!

By: Allison

Allison — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 18:39:22 +0000

Thank you for writing this. It sums up my feelings exactly – I too am an upper middle class cis white woman who has felt ashamed about being late to the activism party (and completely and totally complacent due to a myriad of privileges). It’s nice to know that others feel this way too. For my leap off the armchair, I’m planning on doing this with friends throughout the Trump administration: http://www.designsponge.com/2016/12/solidarity-sundays-entertaining-for-a-good-cause.html.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 18:21:33 +0000

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this incredibly well written post. I come from a similar background and have spent a majority of my life not speaking up because I didn’t want to ‘upset’ anyone. What a silly idea, to not stand up for myself and others under the guise of pleasantness. If there is any positive takeaway of the last few months, it’s utilizing the loud voices that so many of us were born with but until now have been afraid to use. I’ve got 32 years of silence to make up for.

By: Clara

Clara — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 17:50:19 +0000

Thank you for publishing this piece. If this first week is any sign of what is to come, it’s clear that we have a lot of work ahead of us. Complacency is no longer a option, we must act, make sure our voices are heard and fight against injustice. Thanks Wit & Delight for being so vocal about what’s going on right now. Blogs are primarily run and read by women, it’s so encouraging that you’re not shying away from what could be construed as controversial topics.

By: Libby

Libby — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 17:32:04 +0000

This is exactly what I needed to hear.
This weekend my sister in law posted about how she’s never felt suppressed and anyone who does is just playing a victim so the women’s march was just full of a bunch of cry babies. Basically. It broke my heart and I tried to explain to her why I march. Because I’ve been lucky and privileged in my life and because of that, I’ve got a lot of leftover energy to stand up for others who really, really do need a lot more than I do.

I am LOVING the direction that Wit and Delight is going. Every post is a home run for me. 🙂 Keep doing what you’re doing.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 15:25:56 +0000

I love this and have similar sentiments. Are we late to the party? Hell yes. Do we have to get (and stay) uncomfortable? Absolutely. I feel that those of us with privilege have an obligation to those with less to be an advocate. There is power in accountability, for both our elected officials and ourselves.