In a previous post, Katy pondered what love might have to do with visiting other worlds. She partly landed on love as a way of preventing us from objectifying the other, to engage with others respectfully. I want to take that a little further. Katy admits that she is uncomfortable with the idea of love in politics. But I think love can be a kind of language that allows us to start thinking about politics. Visiting According to Hannah Arendt, visiting is the process of expanding our … [Read more...]
Solidarity and equity in pandemic times: A new paper and a panel discussion
It's vacation season here in Southwestern Ontario. even though COVID-19 has restricted travel, I know several people taking the time to visit cottages or go camping. Perhaps you need something to read or watch on your vacation (or staycation)? Then check out these links! During the pandemic, many of our "At Home with Arendt" posts have focused on solidarity. Find some of my recent work in the links below (and of course, previous blog posts here). New article: Virus Interruptus The first is … [Read more...]
Positive and negative solidarity in pandemic times
In a previous post, Janet raised questions about how solidarity might spontaneously arise during the pandemic to challenge anti-Asian racism. Drawing on Arendt and Dean, Janet emphasizes that responsibility to others, rather than feelings of affection or good will, must be central in a conception of solidarity. I have also drawn attention to the need for a relational account of solidarity in relation to public health ethics. In the past month, the spontaneity of solidarity seems to have … [Read more...]
Spontaneous solidarity – a new way forward?
What does solidarity mean? This is a question I’ve been grappling with since the pandemic started. It might be a strange topic to be thinking about, given that a lot of people are concerned with public health and vaccines, but I think their questions and mine are related. Think about it this way: aren’t the lockdown measures a symbol of solidarity? By complying with the stay-at-home orders, we’re demonstrating solidarity with the sick and vulnerable, friends and colleagues, our family, and even … [Read more...]
Thoughts on attentive listening in a masked, post-pandemic public
"When are things going to get back to normal?" is a question I hear often. Others point out that "normal" will be drastically different. On April 27, Ontario released A Framework for Reopening Our Province. The plan emphasizes the slow and the incremental. I imagine what changes I will encounter in the future: Will a server take my temperature before I enter a restaurant? At the movie theater, will there be several empty seats separating me (and the popcorn bucket) from my friends? Will I wear a … [Read more...]