The WHAT IT'S LIKE Newsletter

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I used to be a middle school science teacher, and one of my favorite kids — let’s call him Ryan — was sensitive. I love sensitive kids because they know exactly what time it is. I marched his class around outdoors a lot and Ryan hated it: the bugs, the branches, the grass…
Jesslyn Shields
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It’s the last day on the Gregorian year 2020, and I have broken down crying about a sofa twice in the past 24 hours. We just moved into a new house last…
Jesslyn Shields
2
A friend of mine has trouble talking to his dad about politics. This is not an uncommon problem, nor is having an elderly white dad who voted for Donald…
Jesslyn Shields
3
The other day I was on a video conference with some people I didn’t know, and the host thought it would be fun if we all introduced ourselves by…
Jesslyn Shields
“What did you think you were going to be like when you grew up?” asked my friend Kate today, after she told me about how she knew she was going to be…
Jesslyn Shields
4
In my family, as in the world, there are some things I can’t have because I’m a girl. You wouldn’t believe how agitated people become when I say this…
Jesslyn Shields
2
My grandmother passed away last week. Gigi died well, in her own home, holding the hand of somebody she loved very much. One day I’ll tell you more…
Jesslyn Shields
Yesterday afternoon I was walking the dog when two little neighborhood girls came sprinting at me up the sidewalk. “ODESSA’S MOM!” the older one…
Jesslyn Shields
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