Janette Watt (she/they)
@janettewatt.bsky.social
Janette reflects on issues affecting us all. A career as a lawyer, academic, and a government policymaker - what has always driven her is a passion for a better world for everyone.
SUBSCRIBE: https://janettewatt.substack.com/
SUBSCRIBE: https://janettewatt.substack.com/
Survival of the fittest is a phrase that was always flawed - from the beginning. It never reflected reality. YET, it's been used to prop up injustices, inequalities, and every "ism" that hurts and divides us. Read more on my Substack this week: janettewatt.substack.com
#justice #equality #TOGETHER
#justice #equality #TOGETHER
November 28, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Survival of the fittest is a phrase that was always flawed - from the beginning. It never reflected reality. YET, it's been used to prop up injustices, inequalities, and every "ism" that hurts and divides us. Read more on my Substack this week: janettewatt.substack.com
#justice #equality #TOGETHER
#justice #equality #TOGETHER
I seek out those who go beyond their own pain recognizing their experiences are part of broader struggles. Those who work to foster solidarity and understanding. People brave enough to take their voices into the streets alongside the rest of us who care.
More here: janettewatt.substack.com
More here: janettewatt.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:56 PM
I seek out those who go beyond their own pain recognizing their experiences are part of broader struggles. Those who work to foster solidarity and understanding. People brave enough to take their voices into the streets alongside the rest of us who care.
More here: janettewatt.substack.com
More here: janettewatt.substack.com
YOU and I #SURVIVE and #THRIVE through acts of mutual aid AND NOT when we compete to see who's the "fittest". This isn't a new idea. Homer wrote "By mutual confidence and mutual aid - great deeds are done, and great discoveries made." A short reflection here: janettewatt.substack.com/p/a-dangerou...
November 26, 2025 at 4:58 PM
YOU and I #SURVIVE and #THRIVE through acts of mutual aid AND NOT when we compete to see who's the "fittest". This isn't a new idea. Homer wrote "By mutual confidence and mutual aid - great deeds are done, and great discoveries made." A short reflection here: janettewatt.substack.com/p/a-dangerou...
Einstein understood that we need each other to survive, to thrive ... it has NEVER been about "survival of the fittest" ... it is "survival because we have one another" ... Read more on my substack this week titled: A Dangerous Lie: "Survival of the Fittest" here janettewatt.substack.com
#community
#community
November 25, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Einstein understood that we need each other to survive, to thrive ... it has NEVER been about "survival of the fittest" ... it is "survival because we have one another" ... Read more on my substack this week titled: A Dangerous Lie: "Survival of the Fittest" here janettewatt.substack.com
#community
#community
Many of us continue to believe in "survival of the fittest". It's a dangerous lie. It's never been the strongest, biggest, or most aggressive individuals that win - not in life. Even if they have those attributes - they need others to survive. To read more/click on image. #survival #justice #TRUTH
A Dangerous Lie: "Survival of the Fittest"
When you hear the phrase “survival of the fittest” - what do you think of?
janettewatt.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:14 PM
At different times in our lives we are lost for words. In those moments, we can sit in silence with ourselves and each other. Other times, we can lean into, lean on the words of others … More on this in my short reflection below. Please come sit with me awhile, and let me know you’re here … jw.
Tears and Laughter, Words and Silence
Language, words sometimes have their limits — don’t they.
janettewatt.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:38 PM
At different times in our lives we are lost for words. In those moments, we can sit in silence with ourselves and each other. Other times, we can lean into, lean on the words of others … More on this in my short reflection below. Please come sit with me awhile, and let me know you’re here … jw.
✨️ I learned very early in my life what people need to do to survive - it was never about competition. We need each other and we need to understand how to go about that...
- jw. Never far. ❤️ find more of what I think about, write about here janettewatt.substack.com
#humanity #culture #socialissues
- jw. Never far. ❤️ find more of what I think about, write about here janettewatt.substack.com
#humanity #culture #socialissues
November 21, 2025 at 5:15 PM
✨️ I learned very early in my life what people need to do to survive - it was never about competition. We need each other and we need to understand how to go about that...
- jw. Never far. ❤️ find more of what I think about, write about here janettewatt.substack.com
#humanity #culture #socialissues
- jw. Never far. ❤️ find more of what I think about, write about here janettewatt.substack.com
#humanity #culture #socialissues
Hannah Arendt wasn't known for her poetry but she carried her own poems with her, all of her life. I think I know why.
...when words fail the sharpest minds, what comes then?
first silence, then poetry ... - jw. More about this here: janettewatt.substack.com/.../tears-an....
#Arendt #Wittgenstein
...when words fail the sharpest minds, what comes then?
first silence, then poetry ... - jw. More about this here: janettewatt.substack.com/.../tears-an....
#Arendt #Wittgenstein
November 20, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Hannah Arendt wasn't known for her poetry but she carried her own poems with her, all of her life. I think I know why.
...when words fail the sharpest minds, what comes then?
first silence, then poetry ... - jw. More about this here: janettewatt.substack.com/.../tears-an....
#Arendt #Wittgenstein
...when words fail the sharpest minds, what comes then?
first silence, then poetry ... - jw. More about this here: janettewatt.substack.com/.../tears-an....
#Arendt #Wittgenstein
Paintings inspired by poetry, poetry inspired by literature, literature inspired by paintings - all of it inspired by experiences that the ordinary placement of words just can't seem to capture ... I write about the poetry part (and silence too) here: janettewatt.substack.com/p/tears-and-...
November 19, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Paintings inspired by poetry, poetry inspired by literature, literature inspired by paintings - all of it inspired by experiences that the ordinary placement of words just can't seem to capture ... I write about the poetry part (and silence too) here: janettewatt.substack.com/p/tears-and-...
Children know it and then we relearn it - when something can't be expressed any other way, we do it with tears or laughter or silence - or #poetry, sometimes rhyming always lyrical mirroring what we're experiencing ... I reflected on that here janettewatt.substack.com Would love if you visit.
#write
#write
Tears and Laughter, Words and Silence
Language, words sometimes have their limits — don’t they.
janettewatt.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Children know it and then we relearn it - when something can't be expressed any other way, we do it with tears or laughter or silence - or #poetry, sometimes rhyming always lyrical mirroring what we're experiencing ... I reflected on that here janettewatt.substack.com Would love if you visit.
#write
#write
It wasn't Russia Adrienne Rich wrote about (she said so) and she could be writing this now if she were still here with us. Gratefully she left her words behind.
Find Poem in: Dark Fields of the Republic: Poems 1991-1995 or online @The Poetry Foundation.
#poetry #writers #HOPEevenNOW #AdrienneRich
Find Poem in: Dark Fields of the Republic: Poems 1991-1995 or online @The Poetry Foundation.
#poetry #writers #HOPEevenNOW #AdrienneRich
November 18, 2025 at 5:04 AM
It wasn't Russia Adrienne Rich wrote about (she said so) and she could be writing this now if she were still here with us. Gratefully she left her words behind.
Find Poem in: Dark Fields of the Republic: Poems 1991-1995 or online @The Poetry Foundation.
#poetry #writers #HOPEevenNOW #AdrienneRich
Find Poem in: Dark Fields of the Republic: Poems 1991-1995 or online @The Poetry Foundation.
#poetry #writers #HOPEevenNOW #AdrienneRich
Words sometimes have their limits. How often have each of us found ourselves saying “I don’t know how to say this, or explain this to you —” it can be especially hard when it’s feelings based — and not what can be seen. So, what do we do then? My Monday reflection (below) #poets #writers #philosophy
Tears and Laughter, Words and Silence
Language, words sometimes have their limits — don’t they.
janettewatt.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Words sometimes have their limits. How often have each of us found ourselves saying “I don’t know how to say this, or explain this to you —” it can be especially hard when it’s feelings based — and not what can be seen. So, what do we do then? My Monday reflection (below) #poets #writers #philosophy
- jw.
Life. Mine.
Not the whole time,
When I hit bottom --
I start climbing again
(Photo by me, "The Junction" Toronto)
#life #contemplation #KEEPgoing #struggles #HOPE
#writers #poets #creatives #thinkers #philosophers
Life. Mine.
Not the whole time,
When I hit bottom --
I start climbing again
(Photo by me, "The Junction" Toronto)
#life #contemplation #KEEPgoing #struggles #HOPE
#writers #poets #creatives #thinkers #philosophers
November 16, 2025 at 3:46 PM
- jw.
Life. Mine.
Not the whole time,
When I hit bottom --
I start climbing again
(Photo by me, "The Junction" Toronto)
#life #contemplation #KEEPgoing #struggles #HOPE
#writers #poets #creatives #thinkers #philosophers
Life. Mine.
Not the whole time,
When I hit bottom --
I start climbing again
(Photo by me, "The Junction" Toronto)
#life #contemplation #KEEPgoing #struggles #HOPE
#writers #poets #creatives #thinkers #philosophers
✨️ ... today is nothing fancy... everything so far at least.
I'm sending love-vibes out, skirting between raindrops ... on their way to you 💕 - jw.
(Photo by me of our home as we finished brunch. November 15th 2025)
#grateful #peace #peacefulness
#writers #poets #thinkers
#culture #kindness #atHOME
I'm sending love-vibes out, skirting between raindrops ... on their way to you 💕 - jw.
(Photo by me of our home as we finished brunch. November 15th 2025)
#grateful #peace #peacefulness
#writers #poets #thinkers
#culture #kindness #atHOME
November 15, 2025 at 8:47 PM
TROLLS are now EVERYWHERE! MANY are harmless, SOME are NOT! I wrote about that, about my experiences that may be like yours ... or not.
janettewatt.substack.com/p/what-to-do...
#TROLLS #STAYINGsafe #socialmedia #ISSUES #CULTURE #MUTEthem #BLOCKthem #IGNOREthem #REPORTthem
janettewatt.substack.com/p/what-to-do...
#TROLLS #STAYINGsafe #socialmedia #ISSUES #CULTURE #MUTEthem #BLOCKthem #IGNOREthem #REPORTthem
What to do with Trolls - including the DANGEROUS ONES
TROLLS that hide behind their screens.
janettewatt.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:25 PM
TROLLS are now EVERYWHERE! MANY are harmless, SOME are NOT! I wrote about that, about my experiences that may be like yours ... or not.
janettewatt.substack.com/p/what-to-do...
#TROLLS #STAYINGsafe #socialmedia #ISSUES #CULTURE #MUTEthem #BLOCKthem #IGNOREthem #REPORTthem
janettewatt.substack.com/p/what-to-do...
#TROLLS #STAYINGsafe #socialmedia #ISSUES #CULTURE #MUTEthem #BLOCKthem #IGNOREthem #REPORTthem
ANNIVERSARY! 🍾 A year ago I began to post reflections on Substack meant to capture our shared experiences and help us to keep going. My (now weekly) reflections can garner over a 100 views which may not seem a lot by some people's measures but every view means the world to me. A HEARTFELT THANK YOU!
November 14, 2025 at 7:33 PM
ANNIVERSARY! 🍾 A year ago I began to post reflections on Substack meant to capture our shared experiences and help us to keep going. My (now weekly) reflections can garner over a 100 views which may not seem a lot by some people's measures but every view means the world to me. A HEARTFELT THANK YOU!
Started today again with writers who are thinkers, feelers - who try or tried to understand, experience, and express but not always in that order. I've learned that understanding doesn't always come first. Writing can sometimes allow for understanding and experiencing while creating. I think. #write
November 14, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Started today again with writers who are thinkers, feelers - who try or tried to understand, experience, and express but not always in that order. I've learned that understanding doesn't always come first. Writing can sometimes allow for understanding and experiencing while creating. I think. #write
I have a story in progress inspired by this image -- the art of Colin See-Paynton* ... my story is about creatures who meet and who are too different to be friends -- but who learn to co-exist in harmony ... jw. #poets #writers
*the art of Colin See-Paynton can be found here: www.see-paynton.co.uk
*the art of Colin See-Paynton can be found here: www.see-paynton.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 5:45 PM
I have a story in progress inspired by this image -- the art of Colin See-Paynton* ... my story is about creatures who meet and who are too different to be friends -- but who learn to co-exist in harmony ... jw. #poets #writers
*the art of Colin See-Paynton can be found here: www.see-paynton.co.uk
*the art of Colin See-Paynton can be found here: www.see-paynton.co.uk
In Scandinavian folklore TROLLS are mischievous, disruptive, and sometimes malicious creatures - just like online TROLLS. They troll or bait us so that we'll respond emotionally. But what if they want more than just a reaction? I share two experiences on my Substack (click below).
#TROLLS #StaySAFE
#TROLLS #StaySAFE
What to do with Trolls - including the DANGEROUS ONES
TROLLS that hide behind their screens.
janettewatt.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Some TROLLS show up as a group to harass and overwhelm discussions. Many are just bored, others think they're maintaining social justice (from their perspective), and still others - in the extreme, are callous sadists. Some can be ignored, some can't.
Please read more here janettewatt.substack.com
Please read more here janettewatt.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Some TROLLS show up as a group to harass and overwhelm discussions. Many are just bored, others think they're maintaining social justice (from their perspective), and still others - in the extreme, are callous sadists. Some can be ignored, some can't.
Please read more here janettewatt.substack.com
Please read more here janettewatt.substack.com
... ✨️✨️ ... express yourself ...
photo by me, about an hour ago ... in our home, a spot where I read ... one expression of me.
#ExpressYOURSELF #FREEDOM #DIVERSITY #EQUALITY #briefREFLECTIONS
photo by me, about an hour ago ... in our home, a spot where I read ... one expression of me.
#ExpressYOURSELF #FREEDOM #DIVERSITY #EQUALITY #briefREFLECTIONS
November 11, 2025 at 10:19 PM
... ✨️✨️ ... express yourself ...
photo by me, about an hour ago ... in our home, a spot where I read ... one expression of me.
#ExpressYOURSELF #FREEDOM #DIVERSITY #EQUALITY #briefREFLECTIONS
photo by me, about an hour ago ... in our home, a spot where I read ... one expression of me.
#ExpressYOURSELF #FREEDOM #DIVERSITY #EQUALITY #briefREFLECTIONS
🔥TROLLS behind screens can have a very real effect "out here". A mere annoyance OR something much more serious. What do we do with these TROLLS? I wrote about two of my experiences - the first were annoying trolls - the second were DANGEROUS.
Read it here: janettewatt.substack.com/p/what-to-do...
Read it here: janettewatt.substack.com/p/what-to-do...
November 11, 2025 at 4:07 PM
🔥TROLLS behind screens can have a very real effect "out here". A mere annoyance OR something much more serious. What do we do with these TROLLS? I wrote about two of my experiences - the first were annoying trolls - the second were DANGEROUS.
Read it here: janettewatt.substack.com/p/what-to-do...
Read it here: janettewatt.substack.com/p/what-to-do...
Mostly we can ignore TROLLS but when TROLL behavior threatens our lives they can't be ignored. We need better ways of tracking them and holding them accountable. We haven’t come far enough in the 20 years since it happened to me and my students. Read here: janettewatt.substack.com/p/what-to-do...
November 10, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Mostly we can ignore TROLLS but when TROLL behavior threatens our lives they can't be ignored. We need better ways of tracking them and holding them accountable. We haven’t come far enough in the 20 years since it happened to me and my students. Read here: janettewatt.substack.com/p/what-to-do...
❄️❄️❄️ I went outside to watch the snowfall, barefoot. Didy followed me, stayed close -- nudging me. Now that I'm back inside and sitting down, he's laying on my cold foot (my other foot is tucked under me) ... he's keeping me warm ... we don't just take care of them, they watch over us ❤️
#snow #love
#snow #love
November 10, 2025 at 12:08 AM
❄️❄️❄️ I went outside to watch the snowfall, barefoot. Didy followed me, stayed close -- nudging me. Now that I'm back inside and sitting down, he's laying on my cold foot (my other foot is tucked under me) ... he's keeping me warm ... we don't just take care of them, they watch over us ❤️
#snow #love
#snow #love