Live blog 1 - Haleh Mawson

I think I missed out on the concept of a live blog, because I wrote all my thoughts as they occurred on a doc, and only now went back to transfer them here.

First, I think it was Esparza, or perhaps her daughter, who described names as a "vibration f love." I was really caught by that imagery. I suppose the surface level of it is that, as someone with an unusual name for this country, I am not used to hearing it. When she said to say your name in your mind and listen to the voice that spoke it, it was my voice, in the firm tone I always use after I've corrected people a few times. One of the things I like about Seattle is that there is a mess of people who have changed their names here, and whenever I correct their pronunciation and tell them not to worry, they reply with "Names are important." It's oddly reassuring. I have never been one convinced of the power of names, but the idea that these sounds, like an altar, are an expression and invocation of love is the most persuasive argument for it that I've heard so far.

Please forgive my poor photography. I am not a screenshot master.