Thank you Hen. What stood out for me, and what really resonates, is how quickly attention moved away from the woman who lost her life.
I’ve often wondered whether this is, in part, a psychological defence. Perhaps our fascination with the perpetrator says less about them than it does about our own need to believe the world is understandable, and therefore safer. If we can make sense of the person responsible, we create the comforting illusion that we are somehow less at risk ourselves.
My sister Lolly was murdered in 1995. Thirty-one years later, people are still far more likely to ask me whether the person responsible was ever caught than to ask me about our Lolly - who she was, how she lived, what she loved or what she meant to those of us who knew and loved her so deeply. She was 22 years old.
I feel so much for this woman’s loved ones, whose lives are forever changed in ways that we cannot even begin to know.
You’re very welcome. I had read your reply and felt that while your broader point was important, it was also important to acknowledge your personal loss.
I’m still getting used to the ins and outs of Substack. I sent you a note directly to I think your profile. I’m not sure if you saw it, but it was a reply under your Times article link. Let me know if it ever finds you.
Hi Sandra. Thank you for reaching out. And for your follow! I’m also not too active here. Sorry about my late response. I am going away for 5 weeks on Saturday and my practice is crazy this week. Wishing you all the very best. Debbie 🌺
No worries, I just had no idea if I sent it to the right place. I wrote you a long somewhat personal post. I’m not sure if you’re able to write someone privately on here or not? But if you’d like to get back to me when you return ( wow 5 weeks! How nice!). Have a nice holiday!
If you have the desire to respond, feel free. Maybe we’ll speak when you return. Be well🌼
That is exactly what I thought, too. Furthermore, I'm tired of Jews having to always give that caveat - we know it's not all 1.9 billion Muslims - when it's yet another Islamist attack.
I just read your piece and thought of a brilliant essay Hunter Biden recently wrote on Substack about how the media and social media so rapidly turned him into a cudgel for political lies and disgrace. It’s worth reading as it talks about the speed with which communication and propaganda take flight and how those being attacked lose their voice, their humanity and their truth. I recommend you read it. It might help you with your message. I follow you and your work because I think it’s important. I’m sorry that you have not felt safe because of speaking your truth.
I’ll be short, politically incorrect, and to the point. There are almost two billion Muslims. 10% are Islamists or lean in that direction. That translates to 200 million nut jobs. We have problems.
The shared values of Islam and the West the left supports so much, by supporting mass immigration of Muslims. Don't they see how they support people who despise everything they believe in? Isn't that a sort of conflicting in their view? Or oppression is subjective for them, as long as they hate Israel? And everything the West stands for along with it. Maybe they should read about the paradox of tolerance.
Hen, the essay I just referred to was called ‘the economy of reputation’ by Hunter Biden. Excellent essay about how quickly a ‘story’ can be followed, believed, distorted, monetized and ultimately become an act of violence. Especially if one has no voice or way to shift or stop it. If even possible by then. The essay was about Hunter’s own story, but your essay about how quickly social media ‘news’ grows and takes on its own life matters.
During these times, I believe, ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that comes down the pike is evaluated, first and foremost, in terms of whether or not it is suitable for use AS a talking point.
Thank you Hen. What stood out for me, and what really resonates, is how quickly attention moved away from the woman who lost her life.
I’ve often wondered whether this is, in part, a psychological defence. Perhaps our fascination with the perpetrator says less about them than it does about our own need to believe the world is understandable, and therefore safer. If we can make sense of the person responsible, we create the comforting illusion that we are somehow less at risk ourselves.
My sister Lolly was murdered in 1995. Thirty-one years later, people are still far more likely to ask me whether the person responsible was ever caught than to ask me about our Lolly - who she was, how she lived, what she loved or what she meant to those of us who knew and loved her so deeply. She was 22 years old.
I feel so much for this woman’s loved ones, whose lives are forever changed in ways that we cannot even begin to know.
With warmth, Debbie 🌸
I’m sorry for your loss of your sister.
Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness Sandra 🌺
You’re very welcome. I had read your reply and felt that while your broader point was important, it was also important to acknowledge your personal loss.
Debbie,
I’m still getting used to the ins and outs of Substack. I sent you a note directly to I think your profile. I’m not sure if you saw it, but it was a reply under your Times article link. Let me know if it ever finds you.
Hi Sandra. Thank you for reaching out. And for your follow! I’m also not too active here. Sorry about my late response. I am going away for 5 weeks on Saturday and my practice is crazy this week. Wishing you all the very best. Debbie 🌺
I think I am responding to your reply Debbie .
No worries, I just had no idea if I sent it to the right place. I wrote you a long somewhat personal post. I’m not sure if you’re able to write someone privately on here or not? But if you’d like to get back to me when you return ( wow 5 weeks! How nice!). Have a nice holiday!
If you have the desire to respond, feel free. Maybe we’ll speak when you return. Be well🌼
What a terrible thing. I am sorry for your family and for Lolly.
Thank you for saying her name. Lauren-Lolly to us 🌻
I would like to see more of the 1.9 billion Muslims speak out about the continual attacks by people acting in their name.
That is exactly what I thought, too. Furthermore, I'm tired of Jews having to always give that caveat - we know it's not all 1.9 billion Muslims - when it's yet another Islamist attack.
I just read your piece and thought of a brilliant essay Hunter Biden recently wrote on Substack about how the media and social media so rapidly turned him into a cudgel for political lies and disgrace. It’s worth reading as it talks about the speed with which communication and propaganda take flight and how those being attacked lose their voice, their humanity and their truth. I recommend you read it. It might help you with your message. I follow you and your work because I think it’s important. I’m sorry that you have not felt safe because of speaking your truth.
I’ll be short, politically incorrect, and to the point. There are almost two billion Muslims. 10% are Islamists or lean in that direction. That translates to 200 million nut jobs. We have problems.
The shared values of Islam and the West the left supports so much, by supporting mass immigration of Muslims. Don't they see how they support people who despise everything they believe in? Isn't that a sort of conflicting in their view? Or oppression is subjective for them, as long as they hate Israel? And everything the West stands for along with it. Maybe they should read about the paradox of tolerance.
"He is a specific man with a specific record. His crime was his own. It speaks for itself."
But the issue is that while not all Muslims rejoice a the death of a jew, 3/4 of them do, by poll of comments.
Hen, the essay I just referred to was called ‘the economy of reputation’ by Hunter Biden. Excellent essay about how quickly a ‘story’ can be followed, believed, distorted, monetized and ultimately become an act of violence. Especially if one has no voice or way to shift or stop it. If even possible by then. The essay was about Hunter’s own story, but your essay about how quickly social media ‘news’ grows and takes on its own life matters.
During these times, I believe, ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that comes down the pike is evaluated, first and foremost, in terms of whether or not it is suitable for use AS a talking point.