Educated

by Tara Westover

had begun to understand that we had lent our voices to a discourse whose sole purpose was to dehumanize and brutalize others—because nurturing that discourse was easier, because retaining power always feels like the way forward.

never again would I allow myself to be made a foot soldier in a conflict I did not understand.

It had never occurred to me that my voice might be as strong as theirs.

It’s strange how you give the people you love so much power over you,

But vindication has no power over guilt. No amount of anger or rage directed at others can subdue it, because guilt is never about them. Guilt is the fear of one’s own wretchedness. It has nothing to do with other people.

I am not the child my father raised, but he is the father who raised her.