Letters to my readers

October 18, 2025

Dear readers,

In this important day celebrating freedom of speech by reassuring the rest of the world that this is a No Kings country, I could not emphasize enough the importance of friendship and its enduring legacy. In my essay My Brilliant Friend, I write about the work of Elena Ferrante and her take on women’s interrelationships. Its value goes beyond Italy and its particular idiosyncrasies, and encompasses the very nature of human behavior.

This picture was taken from an MSNBC broadcast.

I can not stress enough how crucial this connection is in peacefully demonstrating our dissent against tyranny for the sake of our common cause of human survival.

When Chileans came together in the Referendum of 1989 they voted NO to Pinochet, which allowed them to participate in free elections the following year. There was neither need for violence nor disparaging, only the firm conviction of their true values reached their objective.

Today we should use this piece of world history to remind ourselves that when we come together anything is possible. Never forgetting that friendship is the most important vehicle for communication, display of mutual respect, and care in a never-ending exchange of knowledge, gratitude, and strength.

We actually can choose love over hatred, cooperation over greed, and peace of mind over fear and retribution. It’s up to us.

Remember that intimidation is always in the hands of the intimidated; you are as intimidated as you allow yourself to be.


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