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Mary Moon's avatar

I do not think we are living in a dystopian novel. I think we are living in Dystopia which is far more frightening.

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Addison's avatar

Mmm so well-written! Thank you Elizabeth. It’s most certainly a dystopia. What brings me comfort are the people like you that at least recognize it as such.

This moment feels like a major vindication of Aimé Césaire’s writing that made the argument that fascism is the logical effect of colonial practices, of colonialism turned inward. Since American citizens are far from the first or worst victims of this machine, I’m finding writing from colonized authors who know this terror to be some of the most helpful right now, regardless of genre. Most recently I’ve been assigned to read about Zapatista philosophies, and I’ve found it very easy to find “common ground” with who I’m reading! If you have the time, this lecture is incredible:

https://youtu.be/TA2VljL36LE?feature=shared

I too am a librarian and teacher and I like to keep abreast with what the kids are into. It’s hard to be sure that my perceptions are correct, but dystopia and horror both seem much more prevalent than when I was a kid (90s, early aughts). Interesting you seem to feel the same. I think the kids feel what’s up in the world and are using this art to prepare their emotions for the world’s real and mounting horrors. I’m constantly trying to think of how best to engage with these youngsters. Can I add something useful to the mix? What genres do we need right now? It’s good to prepare to cope; but what can also prepare us to fight on the side of life? How can we help each other insist on living and dying well?

I’ll be thinking about the questions you pose here.

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