Sarahbeth Caplin's Blog, page 2

The cultural gaslighting of moms who miscarry

Two years ago at this time, I was joyfully expecting my first baby. What I didn’t know, and wouldn’t until mid-March, was that my baby girl passed away in my womb, near the end of the first trimester. When I thought I was growing life, my womb carried a corpse instead. It was, and remains,… Continue reading The cultural gaslighting of moms who miscarry

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“Joyous despair” is a real thing

The social media algorithms want me to be angry, and there’s certainly no shortage of things to rage over. Headlines are purposely alarmist to get clicks: I know this. I used to be in that line of work. I used to live in a place of perpetual anger, and while I made decent money doing… Continue reading “Joyous despair” is a real thing

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To rebuild or not to rebuild

I remember going through my Facebook friends list in 2016 and removing everyone I knew who voted for the candidate the media said was a Nazi. Their reasons for their vote didn’t matter: they supported Hitler 2.0, and therefore they were a threat to my very existence.  Most people in that cut were acquaintances I… Continue reading To rebuild or not to rebuild

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I left Judaism, but can’t fully leave

In my last post on antisemitism, I touched on Christians celebrating Jewish feasts, and how it causes offense to many Jewish people. I’d be a hypocrite to not expound further on how my own actions as a Jew-“ish” believer can be just as offensive.  To an extent, there’s not a whole lot I can do… Continue reading I left Judaism, but can’t fully leave

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What is (and isn’t) antisemitism?

With so many people talking about Israel and Gaza, perhaps it’s worth visiting what antisemitism actually is. That is, if we can all agree on how that is defined. In the same way that racism can be more complex than burning crosses and white hoods, antisemitism is more than Nazis and concentration camps. I would… Continue reading What is (and isn’t) antisemitism?

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Give me blood and guts

I used to have a crucifix necklace that I purchased at the Vatican during my semester abroad. Upon returning home, I made the mistake of wearing it to a meeting at Campus Crusade for Christ, my alma mater’s campus ministry. People chastised me:  “You don’t want to wear that, people will think you’re Catholic!” “Crucifixes… Continue reading Give me blood and guts

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The biggest surprise of motherhood so far

People sometimes ask me what I find most surprising about motherhood. My response isn’t quite what I expected: just how fun it is. “Fun” is really an understatement. It’s truly incredible to view the world through her eyes. Everything is new and fascinating: her feet, Josh’s mustache, my hair, different fabrics and surfaces. I can… Continue reading The biggest surprise of motherhood so far

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Post-election thoughts from the politically homeless

I’ve had many thoughts since the election results were finalized, but wanted to hold off for a day or so to let them marinate. I have a strict policy for myself not to post anything while dealing with heavy emotions: something I did not practice in 2016, much to my detriment.  Back then, I firmly… Continue reading Post-election thoughts from the politically homeless

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“If you’re voting for XYZ, swipe left”

Once upon a time, we went years without knowing our friends’ politics. We could attend their birthday parties and holiday dinners and never once bring up who we’re voting for. That era is long dead. I’ve wondered whether it’s better that way. What if, after years of playdates with your kids as you sip coffee… Continue reading “If you’re voting for XYZ, swipe left”

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Ta-Nehisi Coates and moral relativity

Did you hear about the interview with writer Ta-Nehisi Coates on the Trevor Noah podcast, in which he admits that if he had grown up in Gaza, he might have joined in Hamas’ massacre of Israelis on October 7th, 2023? Publicising his new book, The Message, on Trevor Noah’s podcast, US writer Ta-Nehisi Coates –… Continue reading Ta-Nehisi Coates and moral relativity

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