A short dedication: why I heart Heart

Disclaimer: This is going to be soppy post. If you’re not in the mood for slush, turn away now, or read one of my far more numerous rants instead.

The purpose of this post is as I stated in my last entry: to call attention to a blogger whose work is very important to me, but with whom I have had little personal contact. There are always those people with whom one doesn’t get an opportunity to connect, but who nonetheless provide the special encouragement, warmth and truths that we all need to operate in the world.

I haven’t ever spoken to Heart, and I have seldom commented on her blog, mostly because all I can think of to say is ‘Wow!’  She is so inspiring to me that I feel awkward and tongue-tied (or finger-tip-tied perhaps?) whenever I have the chance to comment, just as I was hopelessly unable to communicate when near Catharine Mackinnon and Sheila Jeffreys. 

Womansspace/The Margins is one of my favourite feminist places. Heart is remarkable and diligent in her coverage of feminist issues around the world, and has many times pulled me out of my white western privilege bubble by introducing me to the struggles of women the world over. I never cease to be amazed at the effort she must put in and her sheer dedication to women, in order to bring what is effectively a feminist news service, with analysis, to us. Heart has taken a lot of flak in the inane internet blog wars, but she’s never to my knowledge backed down or sugar-coated to please those who didn’t like what she had to say. At the same time, her kindness and love for women shines through her work, along with the dignity with which she will address thorny issues and interact with those around her. Heart’s place is a wonderful safe space for radical feminists, where one is happy to be called out on one’s flaws, because the calling-out serves as a wake up and a spur to further action. I couldn’t possibly ever address the range of issues that Heart does, and her work has inspired me in mine, and helped me to shed some of my ignorance.

Yes, these sorts of posts are soppy. It is a sad indictment of me that I find anger easier to communicate than love and respect. But with any luck, this post goes some way towards spreading that warmth that I feel in the blogosphere as a result of her work.

Heart, I’m sure I’ve said this before in a comment, but in case you missed it: I heart you.