While reading the first part of Exile and Pride by Eli Clare, the part that intrigued me the most was the way in which Clare discusses "exile". The manner in which Clare draws attention to the fact that she felt unsafe in her own home due to the sexual and physical abuse she suffered through, and the complexity in the term "home" were all beautifully written out in ways that state clearly that this text was not written to gather sympathy for a disabled queer individual, but to highlight the intersectionality of identity. 

Camphill seems almost too good to be true. They have amazing food, napping stations, and everybody is extremely friendly. What more could we ask for? I’m not too worried about the portrait project. I feel like as long as everyone knows that they shouldn’t expect a masterpiece from me, I’ll be alright. I’m actually more interested in the work we’ll be doing when we’re not drawing. I’m looking forward to the opportunity of baking or weaving with the residents. So hopefully it is too good and true. 

Like Bridget, I felt immensely reassured by our visit to Camphill, primarily because we have been talking for so long about a large project that relies entirely on a relationship with an ambiguous "camper." Knowing only that drawing is necessary and that we will be spending four days in a new environment, it was easy to be intimidated by the skills we assumed were necessary. However, visiting Camphill, I realized that all it really comes down to is a human relationship between two people.

Like Weilla wrote in her post, I too am astonished at Eli Clare's accomplishments, given his hardships, and the interesting perspectives he provides given the struggles that he faced through his childhood and adolescence.  First off, he wrote a memoir which in itself is an accomplishment.  I feel like so many people assert that they’re going to write a memoir and have children, or get a job or a dog or something and never get around to it.  On page 20 he writes, “For years I have wanted to write this story…” and he did.

At first, I thought Clare is advocating the idea of protecting the environment. However, as further I read, I was amazed by the amount of information that Eli Clare compact in these chapters. She connects and criticizes from various aspects— class, race, gender, the environment— which is really compelling and powerful. Other than letting the surroundings to shape who she is, she disrupts our normal thinking patterns and reflects on how she has changed the world. It makes me rethink of myself: have I ever influenced other people’s life?

I feel as though the title that Ally chose, Respectable Eli, is very fitting for the author. Throughout part 1 of the book, even with the issues surrounding Clare's environment back at home, I never felt like the author was trying to gain pity from me. Normally when I read things regarding the environment, I feel as though the purpose of the text is to not only be informative but more so the sole purpose is to make the reader feel guilty about not doing anything to help.

I agree that part 1, when compared to the preface, is a shockingly different feel from what I was expecting. 20 pages into it, I had to stop and remember what I was supposed to be reading. I had figured that it was going to be more about Clare's disability, since his story with the mountain worked best with that struggle. I was confused when it shifted to environmental issues, but I went with it. I'd like to believe that his discussion about the detriment of clearcutting on salmon population can have a broader meaning.