This week a man attempted a terrorist attack in New York’s Port Authority subway station, but his bomb detonated early and the attacker was the only one seriously injured. Despite what Twitter would have you believe, New York – as it does – went on very much the same. People groused about subway delays and went on with their day. It was just one of many days that made me proud to be a native New Yorker. We could all take a lesson from that sort of resilience and attitude, to be honest: we won’t let terrible people make us feel terrible. We will live our lives, and refuse to be terrorized.

On a happier note, though the outing of abusive men continues, the world is starting to recognize the power of women behind this incredible cultural moment: Merriam-Webster named “feminism” the word of 2017. Now we just have to continue to make it the movement of the year (and next year, and the next) until women can start to feel safe in their own country.

Glass half full

The unthinkable happened and Doug Jones won the Alabama special election. It’s a low bar – getting excited over an accused child-molester and explicit racist losing – but in a time when wins are few and far between, I’ll take it.

What I’m RTing

Melissa Silverstein (@melsil) Hollywood, you are seriously so fucked up about women. Look at the outfits. pic.twitter.com/2gQiTHN5JY

Adam Serwer 🍝 (@AdamSerwer) Last night Alabama came very close to sending a candidate who:



Was credibly accused of molesting teen girls

Believes Muslims shouldn’t be allowed to serve in Congress

Believes homosexuality should be illegal

Twice removed from the bench for defying federal law

Is a birther

E. Alex Jung (@e_alexjung) just another helpful reminder about who saves our ass every time: https://t.co/7JJT0qjuKN pic.twitter.com/yRICXGDDmf

Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) Are you really trying to bully, intimidate and slut-shame @SenGillibrand? Do you know who you're picking a fight with? Good luck with that, @realDonaldTrump. Nevertheless, #shepersisted. https://t.co/mYJtBZfxiu

Who I’m reading

This whole package on sexual harassment from the New York Times Magazine is great, but the conversation between Collier Meyerson and Jazmine Hughes is incredibly important; Rebecca Traister hits it out of the park again on why the #MeToo moment isn’t just about sex, but work; and Helen Rosner on Mario Batali and the “appetites of men” is outstanding.

What I’m writing

On #MeToo and the misplaced empathy for what happens to men.

How outraged I am

On a scale of one to ten, I’m at a zero – not because there’s a lack of things to be outraged over, but because I’m doing my best this week to ignore it. We all deserve a week off from anger, don’t you think?



How I’m making it through this week

Life is short, things are hard and we didn’t want to postpone joy. Meet my family’s latest addition, Bruno.

Note to New Yorkers

Join the Guardian (and me) to slam the door on 2017 on 19 December. Cocktails, conversation and a chance to hear Guardian writers discuss the biggest stories of the year. Get your tickets to The Guardian Live: Making Sense of 2017 now.



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