Three Quick Things
It takes me an absurd amount of time to write a proper post—and that time was not available to me this week.*
But as reader-friend David Hirning and I discussed in the comments of last week’s post, connecting with kindred spirits—even briefly—goes a long way to staving off despair. To that end, here are three fortifying things from the past week or so that I wanted to share:
1. The Daily’s interview with Sebastien Lai, son of business/media magnate Jimmy Lai, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement. Here in the U.S., pro-democracy magnates have been few and far between. Since listening to this interview—an incredibly moving one**—I’ve spent a lot of time pondering why Jimmy Lai is so profoundly different from other billionaires.
2. If you know me at all, you know that I have an enduring love for (Golden State Warriors head coach) Steve Kerr. I lived in Chicago back when Kerr was a player, not a coach, and if his buzzer-beating jumper hadn’t been enough to win my heart, his charming retelling of that championship moment surely was. In the decades since, Kerr has continued to distinguish himself—as an athlete, coach, and advocate. This week, despite being told once again to stay in his lane, he’s publicly joined the fight for free speech and academic independence. The open letter that he and other coaches have signed can be seen, and supported, here.
3. In other positive developments, one of you sent me concrete evidence that people can change their minds! Check out this organization, Leaving MAGA. It gives me hope. It also reminds me how critical it is to create a path back—to be compassionate, not judgy; caring, not sharp. That’s going to be tough in some cases, but I can see the point, both on humanistic grounds and from a coalition-building standpoint. I for one shall apply myself.
Thank you for reading.
Until next week,
Kate
*I keep trying to get faster, but my writing process remains stubbornly—shall we say—“artisanal”: Post-Its that become false starts, one of which eventually becomes a draft I like…for two seconds before I hate it, scrap it, and write the thing it turns out I was trying to write the whole time.
**I lived in Hong Kong for many years—that photo is me cooking beer-can chicken on top of a Mid-Levels high-rise for Thanksgiving. But I don’t think you have to have a connection to the place to be moved by this interview. It really is worth a listen. Related: Jimmy Lai briefly owned a bear.
