Everyone has been busy the last number of years. I started this newsletter as so many other driven people start new ventures, only to find myself not being able to fulfill the work that it took to complete the task. All of our excuses are valid. We are not lazy. Mine excuses include: being accepted to the 2 year political science study to become the well rounded teacher I intended to become, finding full time work as a teacher for the upper secondary department of Norway, and helping both of my teenage children recover from the mental health ramifications of COVID on society in general. And also keeping up with the important day-to-day activities that make life function: cooking, cleaning, laundry, errands, etc. Even with a supportive, feminist partner it’s so easy to drown in the chaos of Life if one is not careful. Priorities must be chosen.
But here I am, two years later. I can now legally teach in the subjects of English, History, Social Sciences and Political Science almost anywhere in Europe. My children are doing fine, participating in society, studying/working and paying taxes so that in theory, people like me can retire one day in the not too distant future. These achievements have not happened too soon - as my personal life calms down, a political dragon rears its head. Political instability in Europe and the United States has reached terrifying levels. All ready a little too late, it’s time to both organise and be politically vigilant, and to also not forget it is important to maintain our joy and humour at times like this. This is where I am focusing my energy now, both when I work with 16 - 20 year old boys (many of whom speak openly of right wing parties) and in my art.
My art will always be overtly feminist and political. Right now, at this beginning stage of taking my art seriously and wanting to share it others, it is my goal to bring forth feminist and/or powerful women from history that have been forgotten or pushed aside by the partriarchy. I am also nearing the end of re-writing Genesis as it should have been written. Examples of this to come soon.
It is also my goal that feminists in my definition of the word - those that want equality for all for the resources we have, including education, healthcare and democratic representation - can join together to find community, create art/literature/music and find space to maintain the joy in life. Without the smallest amount of joy, there is no real point to any of this.