This week a man attempted a terrorist attack in New York’s Port Authority subway station, but his bomb detonated early and the attacker was the only one seriously injured. Despite what Twitter would have you believe, New York – as it does – went on very much the same. People groused about subway delays and went on with their day. It was just one of many days that made me proud to be a native New Yorker. We could all take a lesson from that sort of resilience and attitude, to be honest: we won’t let terrible people make us feel terrible. We will live our lives, and refuse to be terrorized.
On a happier note, though the outing of abusive men continues, the world is starting to recognize the power of women behind this incredible cultural moment: Merriam-Webster named “feminism” the word of 2017. Now we just have to continue to make it the movement of the year (and next year, and the next) until women can start to feel safe in their own country.
Glass half full
The unthinkable happened and Doug Jones won the Alabama special election. It’s a low bar – getting excited over an accused child-molester and explicit racist losing – but in a time when wins are few and far between, I’ll take it.
What I’m RTing
Hollywood, you are seriously so fucked up about women. Look at the outfits. pic.twitter.com/2gQiTHN5JY
— Melissa Silverstein (@melsil) December 8, 2017
Last night Alabama came very close to sending a candidate who:
— Adam Serwer 🍝 (@AdamSerwer) December 13, 2017
Was credibly accused of molesting teen girls
Believes Muslims shouldn’t be allowed to serve in Congress
Believes homosexuality should be illegal
Twice removed from the bench for defying federal law
Is a birther
just another helpful reminder about who saves our ass every time: https://t.co/7JJT0qjuKN pic.twitter.com/yRICXGDDmf
— E. Alex Jung (@e_alexjung) December 13, 2017
Are you really trying to bully, intimidate and slut-shame @SenGillibrand? Do you know who you're picking a fight with? Good luck with that, @realDonaldTrump. Nevertheless, #shepersisted. https://t.co/mYJtBZfxiu
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) December 12, 2017
Who I’m reading
This whole package on sexual harassment from the New York Times Magazine is great, but the conversation between Collier Meyerson and Jazmine Hughes is incredibly important; Rebecca Traister hits it out of the park again on why the #MeToo moment isn’t just about sex, but work; and Helen Rosner on Mario Batali and the “appetites of men” is outstanding.
What I’m writing
On #MeToo and the misplaced empathy for what happens to men.
How outraged I am
On a scale of one to ten, I’m at a zero – not because there’s a lack of things to be outraged over, but because I’m doing my best this week to ignore it. We all deserve a week off from anger, don’t you think?
How I’m making it through this week
Life is short, things are hard and we didn’t want to postpone joy. Meet my family’s latest addition, Bruno.
Note to New Yorkers
Join the Guardian (and me) to slam the door on 2017 on 19 December. Cocktails, conversation and a chance to hear Guardian writers discuss the biggest stories of the year. Get your tickets to The Guardian Live: Making Sense of 2017 now.
