FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE ARTIST’S EYE, 2018.
2018: The year that the words “rape,” “assault” and “harass” became inescapable, appearing seemingly everywhere online and in news media across the United States. The year heads rolled and lives were ruined. The year tales were discredited and others simply forgotten. The year of too much jumping on the bandwagon. The year of attempted payback, misguided payback and zero payback. The year of not enough follow-through and pitiful justice.
2018: The year of triggers, and wounds unwound, and Nia Wilson, and Brett Kavanaugh, and nausea. The year the words “F.B.I. investigation” elicited instant eye rolls and a crushing sense of déjà vu.
2018: The year women were taught that little has changed and that they’re still not safe. The year I learned some new tools and was reminded of some old, forgotten ones. The year I became even more proud of so many of us — and remained ever unsurprised by the actions of so many more.