Welcome to Silver and Shadow

"Look at that sea, girls--all silver and shadow and vision of things not seen. We couldn't enjoy its loveliness any more if we had millions of dollars and ropes of diamonds." -L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

This is a blog I will be using for topics other than food. Politics, religion, spirituality, humor, green living, anything that I want to talk about that doesn't fall under the food/cooking category.



Thursday, September 11, 2025

We Need To Talk About "Nice"

My fellow whites,

We need to have a discussion, collectively, about our idea of "nice." What makes a person nice, and why do we tend to overlook problematic issues in a person, if we perceive them to be nice? Particularly, if that person is white like us?

"Nice" is used as a synonym for kind, funny, polite, or pleasant. We call well-mannered people "nice" and think that as long as they don't make a public spectacle of themselves, then that's all they need to be considered "nice," or a good person. Not upsetting the status quo, is nice.

This concept of "nice" is what helps liberal white people remain friends or admirers of right wing whites who work hard to harm so many others. We will overlook it, because it's not our lives they're trying to harm. A person who spent his life advocating taking rights away from others so white people can remain in control, will be mourned when he passes, because white people thought he was also funny, or well-mannered in public. We will overlook the harm done to others, and focus on the superficial elements. This is white supremacy. Literally. Objectivity, fear of open conflict, right to comfort, and defensiveness. All of those elements of white supremacy can be found in our insistence of looking at the superficial and ignoring the harm.

A person who spends his life working to harm others, isn't nice. Or kind, or polite or pleasant. He is the exact opposite, and he should be thought of, and remembered, as such.

I think there's an even deeper reason we think of other whites as nice. It's a reason none of us wants to admit to, but it's absolutely there. It's because, as much as we demand our individuality, and think of ourselves as not part of a greater collective, we see ourselves in each other. A part of us sees ourselves in the harmful white people, and so when something bad happens to them, we can't help but be afraid that it could happen to us, too. So we want to put positivity out there, in case it ever is visited back upon us. We know this person doesn't deserve being thought of in such positive ways, but we can't help it, because of our own personal selfishness. We really are that self-centered. The funny thing is, we're self-centered simultaneously, collectively.

So, let's start rethinking who we deem "nice" and what we choose to overlook in them, and why that might be. We need to think more about who is being harmed by "nice" people, and put their needs and feelings above those of our own selfishness. Because that's what is actually nice...

Sunday, February 9, 2025

Week in Review: Sunday February 9, 2025

Week in Review: Sunday February 9, 2025

Trump Stuff:

Trump Calls For 60 Minutes To Be Terminated And Tries To Rope CBS Into Politico Conspiracy Theory

It's important for us to pay attention to what Trump wants done to the media. A big part of authoritarianism is controlling the media. What they can and cannot say about the leader. What stories get to be told and what just disappears and we never know about...

The FCC’s battle with CBS over its Harris interview is raising red flags.

Legal Stuff:

Trump Third Term Constitutional Amendment

We knew this was a possibility. This is one to watch.

Federal Judge Issues 2nd Preliminary Injunction Trump Birthright EO

US Judge Blocks Trump Sending Transgender Women To Men's Prisons-2025-02-05/

US Judge Temporarily Blocks Musk's DOGE Accessing Payment Systems

Washington State Sues Trump Over Transgender Youth EO

Local Stuff:

Some WA Head Start Programs Can't Access Federal Funds A Week After Short-Lived Freeze

Original Burgermaster Location Closing Date

Seattle Children's halts gender-affirming surgeries after executive order threatens loss of federal funds

How Will Seattle City Council Prepare For Potential Trump Administration Cuts

Fact-Checking Stuff:

Musk Suspends Anti-Trump Users

There's a lot of bad stuff happening right now, so it's really important that we not make it even worse by spreading lies. Even if they fit with our narrative, it's important to focus on reality.

Interesting Stuff:

Incarcerated Firefighter What To Know

Boy Scouts Officially Changes Its Name

Book Recommendation:

This book talks about how authoritarians control the media, and the lengths they will go to in order to do so. This is a true story, and feels very close to home here in the US right now. Pay close attention to how the Trump administration tries to deal with the media. If they try to jail any journalists, consider a red alert.

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Week in Review: Sunday, February 2, 2025

Week in Review: Sunday, February 2, 2025

During the first Trump administration, I did a week in review blog project where I shared the news articles from the week that stood out to me. I also did stuff like review the Constitution, the three branches of government and their functions, and Supreme Court cases. It helped me feel somewhat in control of my life. I also obsessed over what was going on. I gave that man way too much of my mental and emotional bandwidth. Now that he's back, and worse than ever, I should probably be paying even more attention, but it's just not in me. I will try to find a balance between keeping informed, and maintaining my mental health.

Each week, I'll post articles that stand out to me. I will post videos and book recs, as I have them, and anything else that I want to. Readers can pick and choose what to read. And I would also like to note, that I am not an influencer. I am not making any sort of profit with this blog. I am not trying to benefit from this any more than just feeling like an informed citizen. Knowledge is power, and this might be the only power we're able to have in this new era.

Trump Stuff:

Trump and DEI in the Private Sector

Trump Seizes Wartime Powers In Battle For More Fossil Fuels

Donald Trump Pardon Recipients Are Being Charged New Crimes

This Investigation of PBS and NPR is One to Watch. Bogus Charges to Control the Media is a Hallmark of a Dictator

US Government Websites Are Disappearing In Real Time

Fact Checking Stuff:

What We Can Verify Repeal 1965 Equal Employment Opportunity Executive Order

Can ICE now raid churches, schools and hospitals?

Speaking Out, Standing Up Stuff:

Shock And Awe Is The Point. We Have To Move Past It.

Small Acts of Rebellion Are Important In These Times.

The Wall Street Journal Apparently Hates Trump...

Local Stuff:

What To Do If ICE Shows Up At A Seattle Public School.

Lunar New Year Is Now A State Holiday In Washington.

Washington Bill Would Restrict When Outside National Guard Troops Can Enter The State.

Cool Stuff:

Supreme Court Ketanji Brown Jackson Is The Best!

Stuff We Can Do:

Contact Our Congressional Reps.

Those Of Us Who Can Make Donations To Help Our Own Communities Eat, Should. This Will Only Get Worse With Trump's Tariffs.