I have a theory: the Left died with the Queers. Not just from AIDS, although that was massive, but the subsequent domestication of queerness, culminating in legalized gay marriage. The assimilation of homosexuals into mainstream culture via popular media and legal structures deprived the Left of its most vital, creative, and feisty component. I’ve never seen it discussed or written about, but Bohemianism was critical to the vitality of the left, and queers were critical to Bohemianism. When queer culture stopped being subversive, the Left never recovered. And here we are today with the Right ascendant.
This is one for the great meth memoirs anthology, (selections from Gary Indiana, Sedaris) from before it exploded as national plague. I do recall SF giving that buzz/lifestyle/nightmare a certain cast, v well captured here. But dude: cross that with being an actual teen? Mother Machree!
Apr 13, 2022·edited Apr 13, 2022Liked by Cintra Wilson
This was around the time you where teaching me how to "correctly" ring up pies at a natural bakery in Noe Valley.... a vivid evocation of SF in the the 1980's, thanks
Wow, Cintra, thank you so much for posting this. You two made such a phenomenal impact on my life back then. So now, as I lie here in a hospital bed hooked up to bags of chemicals (not the fun kind of our youth), this story got me super emotional about how the universe orchestrated our friendships.
Todd told me to meet him at the apartment, and you’d let me in to wait for him.
Listening to you read this brought up the cutest memory of you jumping on Todd's bed to the newly released 1st Madonna album. The only thing I don't remember is if it was a record or cassette...hahaha, bad DJ, bad DJ.
You're so gifted with writing to become a mental view master.
So interesting how seemingly unlikely people can be Christ figures. I would like to have met Todd. Your friend Paul's theory is compelling. I think we do need a radical left for balance. Something's gotta give; the 'ascendant Right' is hell.
I have a theory: the Left died with the Queers. Not just from AIDS, although that was massive, but the subsequent domestication of queerness, culminating in legalized gay marriage. The assimilation of homosexuals into mainstream culture via popular media and legal structures deprived the Left of its most vital, creative, and feisty component. I’ve never seen it discussed or written about, but Bohemianism was critical to the vitality of the left, and queers were critical to Bohemianism. When queer culture stopped being subversive, the Left never recovered. And here we are today with the Right ascendant.
Thoughts?
This is one for the great meth memoirs anthology, (selections from Gary Indiana, Sedaris) from before it exploded as national plague. I do recall SF giving that buzz/lifestyle/nightmare a certain cast, v well captured here. But dude: cross that with being an actual teen? Mother Machree!
excellent text, cool painting !
This was around the time you where teaching me how to "correctly" ring up pies at a natural bakery in Noe Valley.... a vivid evocation of SF in the the 1980's, thanks
Damn. Excruciatingly beautiful.
Wow, Cintra, thank you so much for posting this. You two made such a phenomenal impact on my life back then. So now, as I lie here in a hospital bed hooked up to bags of chemicals (not the fun kind of our youth), this story got me super emotional about how the universe orchestrated our friendships.
Todd told me to meet him at the apartment, and you’d let me in to wait for him.
Listening to you read this brought up the cutest memory of you jumping on Todd's bed to the newly released 1st Madonna album. The only thing I don't remember is if it was a record or cassette...hahaha, bad DJ, bad DJ.
You're so gifted with writing to become a mental view master.
So interesting how seemingly unlikely people can be Christ figures. I would like to have met Todd. Your friend Paul's theory is compelling. I think we do need a radical left for balance. Something's gotta give; the 'ascendant Right' is hell.