Thank you for all you do Sarah and please let know you have support! You are one of the few truth tellers in America and for that and more, we are so grateful. Hope you and your family are doing well.
With many articles and newsletters, I very often read by skimming over them and then stopping or going back to the parts that have caught my attention. But with your work I always stop what I’m doing and read every single word as if savoring a great meal. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and a bit of yourself with us. For this I am truly grateful. Thank you.
I am deeply sorry for your losses and for the struggles of this year. I don't know you, of course, but you have meant so much to me, ever since I saw a twitter post from John Rogers on election night 2016 telling everyone to read everything you write. I am glad that you left Gaslit Nation and I am glad you started this newsletter. It's a pleasure reading it, and I mean that! You perfectly and beautifully express what I struggle to. Peace and joy to you, Sarah, and thank you!
Sarah, I was originally drawn to your writing (from Flyover Country) because I grew up in St. Louis. Over the years your books have given me much deeper insights into the political landscape we are traversing - but they have also caused me to re-assess much that I grew up with (Veiled Prophet!!). On the positive side - I have frequently told people that I thought St. Louis was a great place in which to grow up, precisely because of the free museums and public amenities. This lovely essay takes me right back to the Art Museum and Art Hill. I am so sorry that this past year has been so difficult for you - please know how thankful we are that you have found this new outlet. It's a pleasure to be able to subscribe and to lend a little support to you and your readers.
Every time I read one of your letters I cry. You are such a heartwarming writer. I would to contribute to your writing, I have to wait for next year though, my year has been terrible. I have to moved back to UK. And has been a toll for both of us. Love everything you do. Thank you for being you.
Sitting here with quiet tears for my own 2023 grief. Your values and your writing are a treasure, Sarah Kendzior. I'm sorry for your struggles, thanks for putting us all on the carpet while we navigate our current personal and national challenges. And, yes, let's protect the institutions that serve our higher selves.
The most important thing you’ve taught me is to break down the tribalism I’ve boxed myself in, and try to empathize with many of my fellow Americans, because that’s one of the only ways we’re going to get through this. A lot of people are saying don’t even try, you’ll never reach them. Maybe so for many. But you identified that at the root we’re all being presented with unsatisfactory options. Keep showing me why. I’m so happy to support your work here.
Thank you so much for these kind words. But, it is I who owe you a “Note of Gratitude”.
On November 19th, 2016, the week after Chump became our President, a friend and colleague, who incidentally grew up in Missouri, handed me a few sheets of paper containing an interview that you did in 2013. He said, “You’re going to love this.” He was the one coworker who mostly shared my ideological leanings and knew me pretty well.
Since that day, I’ve read many of your past articles, all three books, listened to every single episode of Gaslit Nation, and have viewed every live interview that I am aware of. Someday I might be called your “Stan”, which, for anyone who really knows me, would know how true and false that is, and a handle I would gladly accept.
One night in the early 90’s, while out with friends, the topic of “Role Models” came up and they began sharing their stories. The usual parental figures along with a few well known public icons were revealed. When it became my turn to share, I could not. I said the closest I could come was a fictional character, Jean Luc Picard!
Since then, despite being two decades your senior, I’ve learned that, as an adult, our best teachers are our children. Though you are not a child, you are definitely a role model and inspiration.
I paid for gaslit nation when I had money. I am unemployed now for almost a year. We are struggling. I am happy you are not putting your wonderful writing behind a paywall & I am grateful.
I love the museum story with your baby girl. My stepdaughter (to be) came over yesterday for thanksgiving dinner. She is so grown. She is getting her undergrad at CUNY in education & is student teaching in a poor neighborhood elementary school; a neighborhood where I had lived with my ex-husband. I had fallen in love with a hundred year old house. It was in my price range in 2002.
She told me that there are no libraries in elementary schools in NYC anymore. I wanted to cry. In her school, the kids read in the classrooms. They have access to Chromebooks; they cannot take them home. The New York City Public Library has an online app, Libby, that I make use of daily. If schoolchildren do not have tech at home, & with Mayor Adams closing libraries down to fund robo cops in the subways, how will these kids read? Museums are far from Staten Island. You cannot even get to Snug Harbor on this island easily by bus.
There are no free public spaces for people who do not have money on Staten Island.
This was a beautiful essay. Thanks Sarah for sharing your life. I am grateful to be able to support your work and I appreciate your research into this quagmire of current and past political drama. BT
I am sorry for your difficult year and beyond grateful for your vulnerability and prodigious talent. You make the world a better place for us.
Thank you for all you do Sarah and please let know you have support! You are one of the few truth tellers in America and for that and more, we are so grateful. Hope you and your family are doing well.
With many articles and newsletters, I very often read by skimming over them and then stopping or going back to the parts that have caught my attention. But with your work I always stop what I’m doing and read every single word as if savoring a great meal. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and a bit of yourself with us. For this I am truly grateful. Thank you.
I am deeply sorry for your losses and for the struggles of this year. I don't know you, of course, but you have meant so much to me, ever since I saw a twitter post from John Rogers on election night 2016 telling everyone to read everything you write. I am glad that you left Gaslit Nation and I am glad you started this newsletter. It's a pleasure reading it, and I mean that! You perfectly and beautifully express what I struggle to. Peace and joy to you, Sarah, and thank you!
Your kids and us readers are lucky to have you. Can't wait to learn more about this new book!
Sarah, I was originally drawn to your writing (from Flyover Country) because I grew up in St. Louis. Over the years your books have given me much deeper insights into the political landscape we are traversing - but they have also caused me to re-assess much that I grew up with (Veiled Prophet!!). On the positive side - I have frequently told people that I thought St. Louis was a great place in which to grow up, precisely because of the free museums and public amenities. This lovely essay takes me right back to the Art Museum and Art Hill. I am so sorry that this past year has been so difficult for you - please know how thankful we are that you have found this new outlet. It's a pleasure to be able to subscribe and to lend a little support to you and your readers.
Sister!
I was 27, broke, and I raised my daughter in the free Cleveland Museum of Art.
I love your work in so many ways.
Please believe I will send you some $ as soon as I can.
Every time I read one of your letters I cry. You are such a heartwarming writer. I would to contribute to your writing, I have to wait for next year though, my year has been terrible. I have to moved back to UK. And has been a toll for both of us. Love everything you do. Thank you for being you.
If someday I ever proceed to tell my own story, I hope I do it at least half as well as you tell yours.
Sitting here with quiet tears for my own 2023 grief. Your values and your writing are a treasure, Sarah Kendzior. I'm sorry for your struggles, thanks for putting us all on the carpet while we navigate our current personal and national challenges. And, yes, let's protect the institutions that serve our higher selves.
The most important thing you’ve taught me is to break down the tribalism I’ve boxed myself in, and try to empathize with many of my fellow Americans, because that’s one of the only ways we’re going to get through this. A lot of people are saying don’t even try, you’ll never reach them. Maybe so for many. But you identified that at the root we’re all being presented with unsatisfactory options. Keep showing me why. I’m so happy to support your work here.
So much gratitude for your voice and presence in this world— thank you for being you!
Dear Sarah,
Thank you so much for these kind words. But, it is I who owe you a “Note of Gratitude”.
On November 19th, 2016, the week after Chump became our President, a friend and colleague, who incidentally grew up in Missouri, handed me a few sheets of paper containing an interview that you did in 2013. He said, “You’re going to love this.” He was the one coworker who mostly shared my ideological leanings and knew me pretty well.
The interview was with Sam Bakkila on the topic of Internship and The Prestige Economy (https://www.mic.com/articles/48829/why-you-should-never-have-taken-that-prestigious-internship#.OLY4yy4dj).
He was correct.
Since that day, I’ve read many of your past articles, all three books, listened to every single episode of Gaslit Nation, and have viewed every live interview that I am aware of. Someday I might be called your “Stan”, which, for anyone who really knows me, would know how true and false that is, and a handle I would gladly accept.
One night in the early 90’s, while out with friends, the topic of “Role Models” came up and they began sharing their stories. The usual parental figures along with a few well known public icons were revealed. When it became my turn to share, I could not. I said the closest I could come was a fictional character, Jean Luc Picard!
Since then, despite being two decades your senior, I’ve learned that, as an adult, our best teachers are our children. Though you are not a child, you are definitely a role model and inspiration.
During my research into everything Dr. Kendzior, I became aware of an article, (https://thecorrespondent.com/5696/were-heading-into-dark-times-this-is-how-to-be-your-own-light-in-the-age-of-trump/1611114266432-e23ea1a6) running in The Correspondent titled, “We’re heading into dark times. This is how to be your own light in the Age of Trump”. In it, you asked for a favor. It was a challenge that I gladly accepted. And in 2019, I gave all my friends a nice notebook, a Blackwing pencil, and a copy of the Correspondent piece for Christmas.
I’m still working on mine and it brings me joy.
So, thank you for everything. I am truly grateful.
Thank you for telling the truth. Your courage is an inspiration. I am so scared but knowing there is at least one other journalist like you helps.
I paid for gaslit nation when I had money. I am unemployed now for almost a year. We are struggling. I am happy you are not putting your wonderful writing behind a paywall & I am grateful.
I love the museum story with your baby girl. My stepdaughter (to be) came over yesterday for thanksgiving dinner. She is so grown. She is getting her undergrad at CUNY in education & is student teaching in a poor neighborhood elementary school; a neighborhood where I had lived with my ex-husband. I had fallen in love with a hundred year old house. It was in my price range in 2002.
She told me that there are no libraries in elementary schools in NYC anymore. I wanted to cry. In her school, the kids read in the classrooms. They have access to Chromebooks; they cannot take them home. The New York City Public Library has an online app, Libby, that I make use of daily. If schoolchildren do not have tech at home, & with Mayor Adams closing libraries down to fund robo cops in the subways, how will these kids read? Museums are far from Staten Island. You cannot even get to Snug Harbor on this island easily by bus.
There are no free public spaces for people who do not have money on Staten Island.
This was a beautiful essay. Thanks Sarah for sharing your life. I am grateful to be able to support your work and I appreciate your research into this quagmire of current and past political drama. BT