I once read how white privilege includes being able to choose what news I do or don’t watch or read. I understand that statement as highlighting how my life feels comfortable because I can choose to ignore the tragedies and injustice happening around the world or the city where I live and only watch Netflix and only read Thomas Merton…but only his contemplative stuff not his social action commentary – which got him silenced for a while.

I’ve tried to be more intentional about keeping myself aware of world and local issues, including … big sigh… politics, domestic and international…even south of the border. So I watch CBC news, even though some say it’s just a propaganda tool for the gov’t and read the Guardian and Winnipeg Free Press – online (full disclosure – for free). Recently I discovered SubStack (so much good stuff out there) and this morning I read a string of comments about Bezos and the WaPo (I’m so woke) and learned (yes I’m slightly embarrassed that I didn’t know this, full disclosure – I had to check the spelling of his name) that he owned Amazon and is freaking rich. Anyway I also read folk who are calling for a boycott of Amazon in support of freedom of speech and democracy…my interpretation. So, after consulting with Linda (who doesn’t watch much Prime or likes me ordering books anyway) I’m cancelling my Amazon account today. I’ve also decided to ride this moral high ground (to mix my metaphors – I guess if I wrote…ride my white horse on this moral high ground, I’d be combining metaphors…ain’t I witty), hopefully with some humility at being part of questionable social media constructs (continual discernment needed) for so long, … I’m cancelling my Twitter / Z account due to Musk’s questionable way of being. That election is really messing with my life … darn Americans. Sorry about all the (…)s – that internal running commentary is annoying to me too.

A brief sidebar about me and social media – I’m sticking with FaceBook, mainly so when I blog  I can let folk know what I’m thinking and doing – announce my moral high ground in a humble way. As you may have read I’ve thought of cancelling FaceBook too. If I did I’m sure my life wouldn’t change that much, other than missing birthdays of people I don’t connect with. Continuing with FaceBook is primarily a way for this aging, introverted, contemplative, Five energy to stay engaged.

Leaving Amazon & X means I’ll have to pay more for books and some stuff and miss some brilliant comments by many interesting folk. BOO HOO And SubStack will provide more than enough spiritual, insightful comments. And I’ll be buying more local and supporting local booksellers, something I want to do more – so it’s a good thing on many levels and I do feel good doing it. All this is still somewhat white privilege and a deep desire to promote justice – so maybe it all works out in the end. And I’m still trying to listen to Love. Blessings for wisdom, peace, hope and love for us all, especially this week for our friends to the south.