Recent events in this country – particularly the shooting deaths of black men by police officers, the subsequent fatal attacks on police officers and the GOP’s nomination of Donald Trump for president of the United States –have left me practically paralyzed with despair. I watch CNN far too obsessively and I waste hours daily on Facebook, despite knowing full well that both outlets exacerbate my anguish.
While I’m tempted to hide on Cape Cod in my beautiful garden, with my devoted dog Stella, I’ve pushed myself to ask: What can I do to make a difference in the world right now? What’s my biggest contribution to helping heal a world filled with hatred, pain, prejudice, spite and anger?
I can support causes with my money, time and energy, of course, but I want, I need to do more. Even if I only succeed in making myself feel better and neutralizing the negative energy that’s threatening to overtake me, I can still try and have an impact. And my best tool is and always has been my words.
With that I start my blog. My goal is to write daily, even if it’s only a few words. I’ve been stuck for so long – since I finished Legendary Locals of Newton probably. Writing here daily will be good for my creativity. And my productivity.
I want to share my thoughts, the ones I’m reluctant to write in a Facebook post. I want to write about what it feels like to be a white, privileged upper-middle class woman right now. I want to vent and make somebody laugh. I want to share and make someone cry. I want to make people stop, think and consider an alternative point of view. I want to speak my mind.
A word about the name for this blog: Before I was hired as editor, I wrote a column for the Newton TAB. I titled it “Consider This,” because really, that’s all I ask of my readers.
gailspector.com 
Thank you for going public with your sexual assault story at this important time in our country’s history. Bravo for being so courageous. I too was assaulted when I was about 11 or 12. It was only after reading your post that I realized what happened to me would be considered sexual assault. GI carry the scars to this day. There is a place on my back that I call my “hot spot.” It’s where that creepy older man put his hand up my shirt. Anytime someone touches me there ( even my husband ) I jump. I dare say thousands of women have been permanently scared by such monsters. To be those who dismiss the threat posed by the possibility of electing one such monster to the highest office in this land I say…think twice. If he assaults women without regard to the consequences what will he do if he is given the power of the presidency? The blood will be on the hands of those who voted for him!
stormdotrider: I’ve been asked to write a story for the Women’s Media Center on how survivors of sexual assault are responding to the election of Donald Trump. Would you consider being interviewed? I would probably need to use your name. Thanks. Gail
I’ll contact you off line to discus this Gail
Thank you so much for commenting. I’m sorry that you went through that awful experience. I didn’t realize that what the boys did was sexual assault until about ten years ago, but even then I didn’t feel anything. It took Trump to make me really confront it.
Hi Gail –
We were on The Cape in August for the first time. We had a blast, and especially enjoyed the whale watching.
Have you read “The Power of Now”? In my humble opinion, it is the path to change the world. And since you are a wonderful wordsmith, you can make a difference. Within its pages, I believe you will find your healing.
Best,
Chris
Chris: Thanks for the book suggestion. I’ll check it out.