Persimmon Tree is a US literary publication for women over the age of sixty. (I just qualify!) Recently the magazine called for subscribers to offer their thoughts on ‘The Assault on the Cultural and Intellectual Life of America’. As my country, Australia, has just emerged from a spirited national election, in which the vote shifted leftwards, I was quick to respond. You can find my contribution HERE along with the passionate voices of others from around the world. (You’ll need to scroll down.)
Whatever one’s opinion of the US president, it is vitally important that no government shut down the means of free speech. The idea that it’s okay to ban books, for example, only serves to indicate that there’s something fearful or threatening about their message. When we read the poems of Maya Angelou, then yes, the subversive views of writers can be a menace to society: ‘You may shoot me with your words/You may cut me with your eyes/You may kill me with your hatefulness/But still, like air, I rise.’ The complete poem can be read here. Great writing has always dug deeply into the received assumptions about life and how ‘she is lived’. Hopefully it always will.
Persimmon Tree carries a certain gravitas with author Maxine Hong Kingston being on its Council of Advisors and Gloria Steinem as Advisor Emerita. Peggy Wagner, the Editor-in Chief’s key concern (and there are many at present) is the severe cuts to funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. The program sponsors writers’ grants and literary funding of all kinds across the country. We wish her well.
For, what is a society without its artists. A world without a voice is not somewhere we want to be.
WRITINGS AND MUSINGS OF MARGARET MCCAFFREY 
Good on you, Margaret – for responding to the call and having your message added to this vitally important discussion.
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Well done Margaret. Proud to be part of your cheering section.
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What a good read! Thank you for sharing 🌸
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Good job Margaret 💯 well shared
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Good for you Margaret – ‘A world without a voice is not somewhere we want to be’. We have to be vigilant – it’s not just America. Thirty four writers have withdrawn from the imminent Bendigo Writers Festival in Central Victoria, in protest over La Trobe University’s ‘code of conduct’ for writers. This code could potentially silence writers, such as those from Indigenous or Palestinian backgrounds, who may offend or insult others with their views.
Well done for contributing your voice.
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Well pointed out, Helen. It does not reflect on La Trobe University very well. We strive on.
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