News Read - 26th Feb 2017
1. New Yorker - A New Trumpist Magazine Debuts at the Harvard Club
This is such an interesting article because it explores the ways a magazine could be ‘not unsympathetic’ with Trump - not mention him explicitly but still support his policies in a more detailed manner with regards to his stances on major issues in more detail than perhaps the President himself! On the opening night of the magazine, the founder held a debate with one who supported his stance and one who didn’t and apparently it was one of the liveliest political conversations - but get this - never once did they mention Trump.
Their discussion about why immigration is also an interesting one to read because it explores why we need immigration has changed. In the 1980′s and 90′s, it was necessary for globalisation simply because the more people you had, the more you would progress. Arguably today, as most of the progress has been made, immigration is more about how you would divide up the pie you have rather than make the pie bigger so everyone can earn their share.
It’s so interesting because it talks about how because Trump is outside of the political world, the way that he thinks may actually be good for the ‘political community’ - that is the people. Because he’s not bound to convention or to any politicians so to speak. The funny thing that has been said about this journal, which is called ‘American Affairs’ is that it sounds so unlike anything that Trump himself may say but the awesome thing about it is that it may help people from all political backgrounds to understand why Trump does what he does.
2) NYT - Why I Will Not Leave
This article is a short summary of the powerful story of Jeanette Vizguerra who talks about how she will not be forced out of the country of her children and how hard she has fought for the better futures of her children. At the moment, she has found sanctuary in a church but why should she leave when just the thought of her leaving has caused her three children to have to be treated for depression and anxiety? Is that right?
3) NYT - ‘I Hope to Have My Mind Boggled a Few More Times’
This article is something I haven’t actually experienced before - but basically a compilation of highly rated comments to some of the week’s news.
The first was in reaction to NASA discovering the 7 Earth like planets. The writer expresses hopes that we will be able to continue to see these discoveries by talented scientists as a benefit to mankind. :D
The second was in response to Trump removing the right for gender neutral bathrooms across schools in the US. It’s a heart wrenching short comment; for those of us who don’t struggle with gender, that we shouldn’t assume that our narrow knowledge of gender is the end of all there is to know. Also, some of us fear what we don’t know but that shouldn’t cause us to make those we don’t understand have even harder lives than the hardship they already face. And that means, like anyone else, it’s not anyone else’s business what they do in the toilet.
The third comment is in response to the same issue and for me, I read it with a pinch of salt and a bagful of hope because it explores the idea that there shouldn’t need to be a federal ruling about these bathrooms. That perhaps they would be better dealt with on a local level. I’m just hoping that it is implemented as widely as humanly possible regardless of if there is a federal ruling or not. Culture shouldn’t make it hard.
The fourth and fifth reacted to the deportation of immigrants, the first saying it’s about time we clamped down and the second talking about how Irish immigrants are so well integrated because they’re white that they’re not even questioned. Is this right?
The sixth and seventh are both in reaction to the allegations of Uber being a homophobic and misogynistic workplace. It’s interesting because some haven’t experienced any of this but others are actively calling on those who have to come forward and let the law take its course because without the law being used, it cannot be of use.
The eighth is about the reality of the American working class and I love it because it talks about how old fashioned work, without the idea of a career or a vocation should still be respected, no matter which form it takes and how that is very American in itself. Brilliant!
If there’s anything else you found today, I would love to hear about it