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