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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (May 8, 2003)
homes, where you create an atmosphere where people feel comfortable speaking their minds and are literally nourished. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had them in our own homes where we are safe and we can have these dinner parties of real discus- sion among our friends and also invite peo- ple with different ideas so we can listen? If we can teach ourselves how to listen to the other viewpoint, what a great idea. If we can get democracy around our own dinner ta- bles. I’m also thinking of the whole idea of shadow. Whether we like it or not, George Bush is our shadow: arrogance, impatience, entitlement, greed capitalism; we are all complicit in that. I’m interested in looking at what that shadow means. This is a time of re- flection, contemplation, calming down and settling. As a writer, I’m trying to find places that test my own courage and comfort. We are a nation at war. Can we have the courage to stay in that place of darkness and not be undone by it, not be undone by de- spair? I have enormous faith in the capacity to transform. This is a powerful time in the evolution of the human psyche — like the Renaissance and the Reformation. Look at the global response of humans to this war. That is powerful. It’s never happened be- fore. EW : It’s interesting to me that we started this conversation talking about the environ- ment, but we couldn’t help but talk about the war. TTW: These are core issues at the heart of the land. We can’t separate them but we have separated them and that’s the problem. So when we talk about the Earth, the animals as one consideration — when you talk about issues of water and politics, every being has a right to clean water, we incorporate con- versations about democracy. We need to be able to treat each other well in order to treat the animals and plants well. It’s a cycle, the embrace. We need to see our limitations as human beings. I don’t think the Bush Administration sees any lim- itations. And how do you create democracy without humility? EW : This country was founded on the idea that anyone, well, white people, could come here and be equal. And be welcomed. And tame the land. TTW: We have to speak out now on be- half of our community and on behalf of the land and say they’re the same thing and say ‘No, we are not rolling over’ and ‘No, this is not a corporate enterprise. This is democ- racy in the fullest sense and we must have regard and reverence and those are the cor- nerstones of a just society.’ EW : Terry, why aren’t more people out on the streets striking, protesting, and refus- ing to pretend that life goes on as normal, at least for the duration of the war? TTW: Again, it’s those words, I don’t know. We have to ask ourselves, ‘What do I have to give?’ and then, ‘How do I give it?’ Whether it’s as a writer, an organic gardener, as a teacher, a social worker, a mother or fa- ther, we can exercise that courage and insis- tence, resistance, and say there’s another way of being, another way of seeing, and I do think that counts. And numbers count. In many ways it comes down to that. ew Take Back the Night May 15, 2003 at 6pm EMU Amphitheatre • 13th & University Anita Weiss: Professor, International Sudies, “A Global Perspective on Violence Against Women”, Gwyneth Kirk: Visiting Professor, Women’s & Gender Studies , Margo Schaefer: Community Outreach Director, Womenspace Domestic Violence Services, Miranda Vorres: Students for Peace. SPEAKERS INCLUDE: PERFORMANCES BY: Nicole Barrett: Singer/Songwriter, Well-Oiled Machine: Circus Act, Womyn at Play: All-women percussion band. E V E N T W I L L B E S I G N I N T E R P R E T E D • F R E E C H I L D C A R E AVA I L A B L E F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N call 346-4095 Your mind and your body will be A RTS and C ULTURE to S ATISFY your M IND. in good hands here in Portland, thanks to the P ORTLAND B IG D EAL. It’s all you need to ensure an unforgettable weekend of music, theater, great food, and a A fabulous H OTEL R OOM to S ATISFY everything E LSE. beautiful hotel room from which, if you’re not careful, you may never emerge. www.travelportland.com/ct — or call — 1-87-PORTLAND (that’s 1-877-678-5263, toll-free) Great music, theater and dance, plus deals on dining and travel on the Amtrak Cascades, not to mention the absolute lowest rates at the finest hotels in town. With complimentary continental breakfasts, free parking and fabulous shopping! www.eugeneweekly.com Rates valid from October 1, 2002 to May 31, 2003, subject to availability. Offer does not apply to prior reservations. Space is limited. Valid for individual/family leisure travel only. Does not apply for business or convention travel. Other restrictions may apply. EUGENE WEEKLY MAY 8, 2003 13
