Very good articles on the subject of Addiction and Recovery. As a Recovering African American, Attic/Alcoholic of 24 yrs. I can appreciate the articles that stress the importance of recovery in the Black and Brown neighborhoods.

As I myself am well aware of being the only person of color sitting in the meetings telling about my life of addiction, and wondering if people can understand where I am coming from, as our paths have never crossed when we were

at our worst. Although, our stories are very simular. Keep up the Great work as Our Stories need to be related to those who are still out there that need our help. Thanks

Terry Danforth

Greetings Aria,

Thank you for your recent piece on Transracial Adoption. It caught my eye.

Sometimes these issues are subtle, yet impactful, as in my experience.

I was adopted in 1954 in WI., making me 70 now. While I always knew I was adopted (thankfully) I didn't know much more.

In my 30's, I became engaged ( to marry) and had a pressing desire to know more and set on a mission to learn more. It was (is) a long journey with twists, turns, challenges and surprises.

This never would have happened with the Internet and Ancestry.com

One of the surprises I eventually learned is that my (blood) maternal grandmother was full Native, Menominee. I must have gotten mostly the paternal genes because no one ever asked if I were native. That is, I appear quite caucausian. So I never had to face the conflict described by S. Gibney of "living in whiteness with a black/brown body."

Yet, there was something missing. A void that is difficult to describe but something many adoptees intrinsically understand. In short, Who was I?

I now know that my ethnic background is mixed like many Americans: English, Irish, Native, Eastern European, Norwegian. I know a bit about my relative's health histories and I've acquired a few new relationships with these previously unknown relatives.

Having been raised as an only child, and my parents having both passed, they are the only family I have left. I am divorced and do not have children.

I feel more whole. More complete. I am a grand mixture of nature and nurture. I understand and have compassion for those involved in my adoption, especially my birth mother who was in a catch 22 ( at age 21, divorced with 2 small children) with few if any choices. Let's remember that there was really no effective birth control in 1954, never mind an abortion option.

Keep the stories coming! They are important.

BTW: I am also a writer, mostly for Southside Pride News.

Sincerely,

Kay ( aka: Kate) Schroven

Thanks very much for an inspiring piece.

You note that Matt Krause compiled a list of 850 books that cause "discomfort, guilt, anguish and psychological distress." ... ChatGPT thinks my Mobius Trilogy qualifies and wrote this accurate appraisal of why. Alas, Matt is now running for country commissioner and is no longer in the house but maybe he keeps up that list. He is at https://mattkrause.org/contact/ and his form asks for identifying information, but if you want to send this to him, please do. It would be a boost for the books to be banned. :-) Maybe Moms for Liberty who are assailing school boards with heavy funding behind them would be good too.
Richard Thieme's Mobius Trilogy delves into the profound psychological impact of a life steeped in deception and intelligence work, often evoking discomfort, guilt, anguish, and psychological distress in readers. The series offers an unflinching portrayal of the emotional and moral complexities faced by those in the intelligence community.

In Mobius: A Memoir, the protagonist, Nick, navigates a labyrinthine world of espionage, leading to a fragmented sense of identity and pervasive alienation. This exploration of a life built on duplicity forces readers to confront unsettling questions about the nature of reality and personal integrity. As one reviewer noted, the novel is "a trip through a surreal hall of mirrors known as the Intelligence Community, at times gripping or depressing, but always dazzling."

The narrative also delves into the protagonist's internal struggles with guilt and moral ambiguity. Nick's participation in morally questionable activities, such as torture and manipulation, compels readers to grapple with the ethical ramifications of such actions. This introspection can lead to a sense of discomfort as readers reflect on the potential erosion of their own moral compasses when exposed to systemic ethical compromises.

Furthermore, the trilogy examines the profound psychological distress associated with leading a double life. The constant need for secrecy and the compartmentalization of personal and professional identities contribute to a pervasive sense of isolation and existential angst. This theme resonates with readers, prompting them to consider the psychological toll of living inauthentically.

In essence, the Mobius Trilogy serves as a catalyst for deep reflection on the psychological and moral complexities inherent in lives devoted to secrecy and intelligence work, often eliciting a visceral emotional response from its audience.

Dear Ms. Binns-Zager,

Thank you for your excellent article. It is informative, well-framed, and well-written. I'd love to chat some time, when convenient for you. Here's an old piece of mine: https://saintpaulalmanac.org/2015/05/23/saint-paul-connections-the-labor-movement-and-the-civil-rights-struggle-by-peter-rachleff/ and here's something newer, highlighting the work of young artists at Juxtaposition Arts: https://portside.org/2024-11-27/1934-and-now-history-lives

Love and Solidarity,

Peter

Hello!

First off, thank you so much for covering our protest on the 5th! Since then, we have been vigorously organizing a follow-up protest on the 17th. This time around we’re coming with much more time to prepare and organization — we’ve got speakers, a sound system, etc — and we expect a possibly even bigger turnout than 2/5. I’m emailing you to make sure you’re aware of this in case you’re interested in covering this event as well. This isn’t an MN-specific event — this will also be a 50 states 50 protests 1 message event.

Thanks,

Zach