Once upon a time in book club . . . I was surprised when a person in my book club expressed an anti-feminist sentiment. I had forgotten that this person had problems with (or, perhaps more charitably, misconceptions about) feminist politics. Imagine that the person in my book club habitually, rather than infrequently, expresses views that I interpret as anti-feminist. If it were not for book club, I likely would not choose to spend time with them. That’s not how I want to spend my down … [Read more...]
Teaching the Ethics of Care
Care is often invisible and undervalued, whether performed for free within the family or friend circles, or as waged work. The COVID-19 pandemic has made care more visible and sparked conversations about care. Yet, we (at least in Ontario) have not responded to multiple care crises by implementing widespread structural change needed to put care at the center of political, societal, and economic systems. Choosing texts I pitched an Ethics of Care seminar to my department in late 2019, and it … [Read more...]
On Gifts
I admit it: I love Christmas. Despite being a horrible crafter, I make holiday cards for family and friends. (See the feature image for proof.) I also have a stack of books I read during the holidays, including Connie Willis’ story collection A Lot Like Christmas and Christmas with Anne, which contains holiday-themed excerpts from L.M. Montgomery’s work. Many of the stories bear a message we oft hear at this time of year: It is the action of giving that is significant rather … [Read more...]
Comparing Hannah Arendt and neoliberalism on the family
The family is at the heart of neoliberalism. Thus argues Melinda Cooper in her 2017 book Family Values. Usually when I hear the term neoliberalism I think about the individual and personal responsibility. Yet, Cooper demonstrates, the family is central to its operations and maintenance. I think Arendt’s critique of the family can be especially helpful in illuminating this claim. But, she also naturalizes the family in a way — similar to neoliberalism. Personal responsibility equals family … [Read more...]
Forgiving as harm reduction
“You have to eat and keep going. Eating is a small, good thing in a time like this.” (Raymond Carver, A Small, Good Thing) Maybe reading is also a small, good thing? I am finally back in the swing of reading for pleasure and, as a treat to myself, I re-read for the umpteenth time Raymond Carver’s short story, “A Small, Good Thing.” The story appears to be about a couple as they try to deal with the aftermath of their son being hit by a car. But I think the story is really about the human … [Read more...]