So the thing I was most worried about happening when I sent that last email?…
(You know, the one where I drew the line in the sand, and said Fuck Ice?)
Well…it happened.
“Shame on you. Ignorant as possible”
That’s all she said, before unsubscribing.
My heart dropped into my stomach, and nauseous, I started panic-checking my email, dreading more missives like hers.
Shame.
Shame.
Shame.
One of my least favorite feelings.
But here’s the thing-
She couldn’t be more wrong.
“I think this was my favorite email from you…I loved the Desmond Tutu quote (I'm also a quote collector). But the part I loved the best? . . . you finding your voice…But beyond that, and more important, you used your voice . . to convey something significant that unites so many of us in our collective grief over these past 47 - now 58 - days. And, you gave us your expression through your art. So, I would love to receive one of your Pretti Good Whistles. And I will match your donation to the ACLU, as well.”
And you know how I feel?
I feel proud.
I feel hopeful, because not only did the whistles sell in under an hour, but, I received more messages than I have EVER received from an email, and with the exception of that single message shaming me, the rest were all messages of support, love, and hope.
I’ve got a list of close to 50 people who want a whistle.
"I would love to have one, and I stand with you 100%."
"H Erin - I love this email so much and it’s just what I needed to read today. Thank you for standing up and using your voice and your incredible talent to put good into this world!"
"You are on the right side of humanity. As artists, its our job to shine light…"
"Thank you for your email-you so elegantly voiced exactly how I feel."
"I am so proud of you!! It is so hard to know what to do or know what to say in this awful space we are in! Fuck ICE and fuck any one who unfollows for what you said or what you have to say. Good riddance!! I MEAN THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID. it was not ugly to anyone except the lawless hate and murder. They had whistles. 🙁
"I love these and your post was terrific. Even for people on the other side. It wasn’t confrontational, it was perfect"
"Wow, Erin, these are just beautiful. I have no words for what's happening in this crazy world, either. It's senseless. I love that you pour yourself into these stunning objects you create. The little gold one….❤️
Erin, Thank you for having the courage to say what needs to be said. This brought me to tears, I am actually crying right now. Yah...FUCK ice. The whistles, just OH MY!!!! I recently taught myself to knit and am making "melt the ice" hats.… Onwards and upwards my friend!
Yes, sis. Yes. I love this so much and appreciate your honesty, your work, your sentiments…you.
This really did make my heart happy to read.
Thank you for doing this -- your work and the hard work of stepping into that scary non-neutral space.
Beautiful words! Thank you! Yes, I would like a whistle please! Thank you for making such beautiful pieces and again for the thoughtful and brave post and email!
Hello Erin.. Omg… what an incredible email you have composed… I had to read it in pieces… not all at once. Thank you so much for writing that and sharing it. You have such incredible artistic talent in writing/composing this as well… overwhelming but with such strength and power and honor for these souls.
Your email today certainly hit the spot for me. [your words] were strong and powerful and for those few followers you lost, at least they were exposed to your words, and might unconsciously think about what you said even though they won't come right out and say so...rather than stay in their own bubble of comfort and ignorance, and not hear them at all.
“This is so eloquently written Erin. Sometimes I find , women especially conflate “confrontation “ with just honoring your personal boundaries….confrontation is when you enter, ready for a fight. Or if you express a boundary, the other person responds by putting up their dukes , which turns things into a confrontation….and then we have the choice to engage at the same time even, or simply walk away…In the end the only thing that matters is how we feel about ourselves in these interactions…"
So, I'm not done making whistles.
I’m going to keep making them, and I’m going to keep sending a portion as a donation, not only to the ACLU, but I've found other organizations as well, thanks for a reader who lives in MN and gave me the names of a few more groups who could use our support.
The fight is just beginning.
We are Whistle Warriors.
If you’d like to get one, I’ve opened up two listings for pre-orders.
One options is “artists choice”. If you're not particular about what your bird looks like, I will select one for you and ship it once it is complete.
If you’d prefer to be able to pick out your whistle, I have a listing for that as well.
Once I’ve made another group of 10 whistles, I will send you a photo of the group and you will be able to select the one you’d like.
You will be notified in the order the purchase comes through, so if you are the first to put an order in for this, you will be the first who gets to select)
Each whistle is hand sculpted by me in .950 sterling silver (also called “enriched” silver) so while they will look similar, each one will have their own little personality.
Wait, erin, "sculpted" in sterling? What do you mean?
If you're not familiar with this material, it is silver, but instead of coming as sheet or rigid metal, it is a clay-consistency. Tiny particles of silver are mixed with water and a starch binder. As I work with the material, the water evaporates. Then I fire it in a kiln, and the starch burns away, leaving only the little particles of silver, which fuse into solid metal! As close to alchemy (and magic) as I've ever seen.
(This enriched silver takes 24k gold beautifully, so if you are interested in a whistle with some gold on it (I know the 22k gold whistle is a little spendy) that can be an option. Please email me erin@elmharris.com and we can talk about that option.)
In conclusion. Thanks for being you.
You truly made me feel so seen and supported, and filled me with hope at a time where things are feeling more and more hopeless.
We HAVE to remember, we are the helpers.
(And there are more of us than the shamers.)
As promised
here are those MN specific organizations if you'd like to make a donation.
Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, which provides free legal assistance to immigrants & refugees
Immigrant Rapid Release Fund, a pooled philanthropic fund from the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota which directs donations to where they’re needed most
My Pitbull is Family / North Minneapolis Pet Resource Center This is an INCREDIBLE organization, helping all pets get the food & veterinary care they need. They help arrange short-term foster care for pets when families need. They also provide groceries for pets’ humans too.
https://www.mypitbullisfamily.org/mutualaid
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