What I want
So a little more about WisCon 35:
I was appalled and flabbergasted by Elizabeth Moon's post. Horrified and puzzled. Surely no one in their right mind could seriously make such statements? I contacted a friend I know who is one of the "troika," the three-in-one con chair position. I told her what was up. I gave her permission to share my contact info with Elizabeth Moon when they spoke. Elizabeth Moon called me and we talked for about half an hour.
Part of my reluctance to go into detail about this conversation, the precipitating post, and what it means, stems from the fact that I am so busy you would not even believe it. I blogged about this some time ago. Since then I have gotten some tasks done, but am woefully behind on others, and have spent several days ill from the stress of trying to keep up. Which of course makes me behinder.
Part of my reluctance to go into detail stems from the fact that Elizabeth Moon will be calling me again, in about a month, when I hope to have the time to go return to the matter more fully. Note that this "teachable moment" is arranged around my schedule. And that it's taking place before the con.
I hope that after our second talk Elizabeth Moon will have things to say to the community at large, and apologies to deliver. And that's not just a rhetorical formula I'm mouthing; based on what she has already said to me privately, I really do actually have hope on that score. I really do.
Meanwhile, I want everyone who was hurt or offended or puzzled or appalled or angered or infuriated or stymied or worried or threatened or in any way negatively affected by Elizabeth Moon's post to attend WisCon 35. Because when I was asked to be a Guest of Honor for that convention, you were the ones I was expecting to see there. And because I want to dance with you, and sing with you, and talk about smart stuff with you, and admire how beautiful we are, and flaunt it!
That's what I want. You do what's right for you, though. I don't always get what I want. I will miss you if you don't attend, but I love you unconditionally.
And peace to the WisCon 35 concom, and to everyone proposing panels on the topic of Islamophobia, but I really do not give a freeze-dried rat's ass about turning the con into an anti-fail teach-in. Especially if it involves 101-level debate. Especially if Muslims and Arabs and recent immigrants and POC are doing the heavy lifting. I am old, dudes, and have seen National Brotherhood Weeks come and go. A celebration is what I am after. Defiance may play a huge role in this celebration, and it may well have important instructional elements, but in its core nature it needs to be joyful.
@ trinker: Bring on the vuvuzelas!
I was appalled and flabbergasted by Elizabeth Moon's post. Horrified and puzzled. Surely no one in their right mind could seriously make such statements? I contacted a friend I know who is one of the "troika," the three-in-one con chair position. I told her what was up. I gave her permission to share my contact info with Elizabeth Moon when they spoke. Elizabeth Moon called me and we talked for about half an hour.
Part of my reluctance to go into detail about this conversation, the precipitating post, and what it means, stems from the fact that I am so busy you would not even believe it. I blogged about this some time ago. Since then I have gotten some tasks done, but am woefully behind on others, and have spent several days ill from the stress of trying to keep up. Which of course makes me behinder.
Part of my reluctance to go into detail stems from the fact that Elizabeth Moon will be calling me again, in about a month, when I hope to have the time to go return to the matter more fully. Note that this "teachable moment" is arranged around my schedule. And that it's taking place before the con.
I hope that after our second talk Elizabeth Moon will have things to say to the community at large, and apologies to deliver. And that's not just a rhetorical formula I'm mouthing; based on what she has already said to me privately, I really do actually have hope on that score. I really do.
Meanwhile, I want everyone who was hurt or offended or puzzled or appalled or angered or infuriated or stymied or worried or threatened or in any way negatively affected by Elizabeth Moon's post to attend WisCon 35. Because when I was asked to be a Guest of Honor for that convention, you were the ones I was expecting to see there. And because I want to dance with you, and sing with you, and talk about smart stuff with you, and admire how beautiful we are, and flaunt it!
That's what I want. You do what's right for you, though. I don't always get what I want. I will miss you if you don't attend, but I love you unconditionally.
And peace to the WisCon 35 concom, and to everyone proposing panels on the topic of Islamophobia, but I really do not give a freeze-dried rat's ass about turning the con into an anti-fail teach-in. Especially if it involves 101-level debate. Especially if Muslims and Arabs and recent immigrants and POC are doing the heavy lifting. I am old, dudes, and have seen National Brotherhood Weeks come and go. A celebration is what I am after. Defiance may play a huge role in this celebration, and it may well have important instructional elements, but in its core nature it needs to be joyful.
@ trinker: Bring on the vuvuzelas!