Opinion Today: This conversation changed the way I think about dementia

When dementia develops, caregivers often resist the changes. Anne Basting says there’s another way. [View in browser](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP4QoAWh0dHBzOi8vbWVzc2FnaW5nLWN1c3RvbS1uZXdzbGV0dGVycy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS90ZW1wbGF0ZS9vYWt2Mj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDMxOCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD04Nzg4MyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnByb2R1Y3RDb2RlPVRZJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMjgxNDUmdGU9MSZ1cmk9bnl0JTNBJTJGJTJGbmV3c2xldHRlciUyRjMyNzIxMjY5LWUyNGUtNTMxMS04NzIwLTRiZDBiYmRmN2NjYiZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQJpagVZMvNQ6NSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~)|[nytimes.com](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0SwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwMzE4Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTg3ODgzJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEyODE0NSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZAmlqBVky81Do1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA)[Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-ad-marquee) [Marquee Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0SYaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTYyMTM5JmxpPVRZJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1UWV8yMDIzMDMxOCZ0ZT0xJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzAzMThXA255dEIKZAmlqBVky81Do1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Read more from Opinion](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0S_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc2VjdGlvbi9vcGluaW9uP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwMzE4Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTg3ODgzJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEyODE0NSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZAmlqBVky81Do1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) March 18, 2023 “You have to remind yourself that you know who you are and you are the person who can reaffirm and comfort the person who had reaffirmed and comforted you for so long.” UWM Photo services [Author Headshot](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TGaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvbHVsdS1nYXJjaWEtbmF2YXJybz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDMxOCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD04Nzg4MyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMjgxNDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQJpagVZMvNQ6NSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) By [Lulu Garcia-Navarro](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TGaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvbHVsdS1nYXJjaWEtbmF2YXJybz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDMxOCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD04Nzg4MyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMjgxNDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQJpagVZMvNQ6NSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) Host, First Person In hindsight, there is always a moment that sticks out as the sign that someone is forgetting who she or he is. For my husband’s mother, always an avid reader, it was when she couldn’t seem to concentrate enough to finish a newspaper article, much less a book. As anyone who has experienced a loved one with dementia will tell you, the change is at first disorienting and then terrifying. One in three older Americans are dying with dementia. And even though it is common, many of those struggling with it, are hidden away, in part because we don’t know how to cope with a person we once knew so well becoming someone else. As my husband’s mother slipped deeper into memory loss, he said it felt like she had died already because the person he had known, and who had known him, was gone. That initially led him to withdraw from her, which is an understandable reaction to a distressing situation but it often leaves people with dementia even more isolated. There is another way. Anne Basting has been thinking about how to reach people with dementia for 30 years, since she was a young artist volunteering in a locked Alzheimer’s ward. Her work — which won her a MacArthur Fellowship, also known commonly as a “genius grant” — centers on connecting with people suffering from memory loss through creativity and meeting them where they are instead of trying to tie them to your reality. “It’s asking a person to live in loss and creativity, simultaneously,” Anne told me on this week’s [episode](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wMy8xNi9vcGluaW9uL2RlbWVudGlhLWNvZ25pdGl2ZS1kZWNsaW5lLWNyZWF0aXZlLWNhcmUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDMxOCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD04Nzg4MyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMjgxNDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQJpagVZMvNQ6NSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) of Times Opinion’s “First Person” podcast. But the rewards are great. “If you do both, you’re going to connect with the person that you thought was lost to you. You just have to let go and be willing to move into the moment and where the person is right now.” Anne, whose own mother has dementia, explains how she does that and shares recordings of how it works in practice. I found our conversation surprisingly uplifting and full of hope. We can reach people with dementia and have a meaningful connection without leaving them to suffer by themselves on their journey. [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-universal-0) ADVERTISEMENT [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0SXaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9NTk3ODUmbGk9VFkmbT1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZwPVRZXzIwMjMwMzE4JnRlPTEmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDMxOFcDbnl0QgpkCaWoFWTLzUOjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) What Our Listeners Are Saying While caring for our mom with vascular dementia, my sister and I realized that the end of life journey is still life. Dementia is a tough road yet the brutality was tempered with beauty. I won’t be thrilled if dementia also comes for me, but I hope those who care for me accept my reality and treat me as a life instead of a death that hasn’t happened yet. — [Kitty Norton, Oregon](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP4QBAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tLzIwMjMvMDMvMTYvb3Bpbmlvbi9kZW1lbnRpYS1jb2duaXRpdmUtZGVjbGluZS1jcmVhdGl2ZS1jYXJlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzAzMTgmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9ODc4ODMmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTI4MTQ1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyNwZXJtaWQ9MTIzODI0NDIyVwNueXRCCmQJpagVZMvNQ6NSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) I am 74 and recently had some memory lapses that I fear are forerunners of dementia. (Sobering.) This episode of ‘First Person’ strikes me as a much-needed learning experience for anyone who will come in contact with dementia, or everyone on this planet. This would be immensely helpful for caregivers. Thank you to Ms. Garcia-Navarro for this ‘First Person’ episode. It was eye-opening, and it offered hope for the future. — Ken Murray I’ve been sort of self-conscious around my grandfather the last few years, missing the conversations we used to have. The timing of this episode could not have been better; my dad and I are going to play some fiddle music for my grandfather and his neighbors in memory care housing tomorrow. The awkward nerves have faded. I’m so looking forward to seeing and talking with him. — Hadriane Hatfield [Listen to the full episode here.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wMy8xNi9vcGluaW9uL2RlbWVudGlhLWNvZ25pdGl2ZS1kZWNsaW5lLWNyZWF0aXZlLWNhcmUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDMxOCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD04Nzg4MyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMjgxNDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQJpagVZMvNQ6NSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [[Article Image] UWM Photo services](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wMy8xNi9vcGluaW9uL2RlbWVudGlhLWNvZ25pdGl2ZS1kZWNsaW5lLWNyZWF0aXZlLWNhcmUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDMxOCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD04Nzg4MyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMjgxNDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQJpagVZMvNQ6NSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [This Conversation Changed the Way I Think About Dementia When cognitive decline strikes, caregivers often resist the changes. Anne Basting says there’s another way. By Lulu Garcia-Navarro, Sophia Alvarez Boyd, Rhiannon Corby, Anabel Bacon, Kaari Pitkin, Carole Sabouraud, Isaac Jones, Sonia Herrero and Pat McCusker](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wMy8xNi9vcGluaW9uL2RlbWVudGlhLWNvZ25pdGl2ZS1kZWNsaW5lLWNyZWF0aXZlLWNhcmUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDMxOCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD04Nzg4MyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMjgxNDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQJpagVZMvNQ6NSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) THE WEEK IN BIG IDEAS [[Article Image] Michael Houtz](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyMy8wMy8xNC9vcGluaW9uL21pZGRsZS1hZ2UtbWlsbGVubmlhbHMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDMxOCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD04Nzg4MyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMjgxNDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQJpagVZMvNQ6NSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [This Isn’t What Millennial Middle Age Was Supposed to Look Like “Who has midlife crisis money? We just increase our Lexapro.” By Jessica Grose](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyMy8wMy8xNC9vcGluaW9uL21pZGRsZS1hZ2UtbWlsbGVubmlhbHMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDMxOCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD04Nzg4MyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMjgxNDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQJpagVZMvNQ6NSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [[Article Image] Left, Celeste Sloman for The New York Times, right, Hussein Malla, via Associated Press](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wMy8xMy9vcGluaW9uL21pY2hlbGxlLXllb2gtb3NjYXJzLWVhcnRocXVha2UtcmVsaWVmLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzAzMTgmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9ODc4ODMmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTI4MTQ1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpkCaWoFWTLzUOjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [GUEST ESSAY Michelle Yeoh: The Crisis That Changed My Life 8 Years Ago Keeps Happening As a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Program, I have seen up close how crises like earthquakes can expose deep existing inequalities. By Michelle Yeoh](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wMy8xMy9vcGluaW9uL21pY2hlbGxlLXllb2gtb3NjYXJzLWVhcnRocXVha2UtcmVsaWVmLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzAzMTgmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9ODc4ODMmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTI4MTQ1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpkCaWoFWTLzUOjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [[Article Image] Photo illustration by Guillem Casasus; photograph by Javier Zayas Photography](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wMy8xNi9vcGluaW9uL3BvdmVydHktYWJvbGl0aW9uLXVuaXRlZC1zdGF0ZXMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDMxOCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD04Nzg4MyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMjgxNDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQJpagVZMvNQ6NSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [GUEST ESSAY America Is in a Disgraced Class of Its Own This rich country has the means to abolish poverty. By Matthew Desmond](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wMy8xNi9vcGluaW9uL3BvdmVydHktYWJvbGl0aW9uLXVuaXRlZC1zdGF0ZXMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDMxOCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD04Nzg4MyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMjgxNDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQJpagVZMvNQ6NSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [[Article Image] Illustration by Sam Whitney/The New York Times; images by Piotr Marcinski and Grant Faint, via Getty Images](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wMy8xNi9vcGluaW9uL3NpbGljb24tdmFsbGV5LWJhbmstdmVudHVyZS1jYXBpdGFsLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzAzMTgmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9ODc4ODMmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTI4MTQ1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpkCaWoFWTLzUOjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [GUEST ESSAY I Was an S.V.B. Client. I Blame the Venture Capitalists. It started with a culture of insular self-congratulation. It ended in an avalanche. By Elizabeth Spiers](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMy8wMy8xNi9vcGluaW9uL3NpbGljb24tdmFsbGV5LWJhbmstdmVudHVyZS1jYXBpdGFsLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzAzMTgmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9ODc4ODMmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTI4MTQ1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpkCaWoFWTLzUOjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-universal-1) ADVERTISEMENT [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0SYaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjAxODEyJmxpPVRZJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1UWV8yMDIzMDMxOCZ0ZT0xJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzAzMThXA255dEIKZAmlqBVky81Do1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) Subscribe Today New York Times Opinion curates a wide range of views, inviting rich discussion and debate that help readers analyze the world. This work is made possible with the support of subscribers. [Please consider subscribing to The Times with this special offer](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TMaHR0cDovL3d3dy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS9zdWJzY3JpcHRpb24_Y2FtcGFpZ25JZD05S1hGVSZjYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDMxOCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD04Nzg4MyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMjgxNDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQJpagVZMvNQ6NSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). Games Here are [today’s Mini Crossword](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TEaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vY3Jvc3N3b3Jkcy9nYW1lL21pbmk_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzAzMTgmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9ODc4ODMmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTI4MTQ1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpkCaWoFWTLzUOjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~), [Wordle](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0THaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vZ2FtZXMvd29yZGxlL2luZGV4Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzAzMTgmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9ODc4ODMmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTI4MTQ1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpkCaWoFWTLzUOjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) and [Spelling Bee](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TEaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vcHV6emxlcy9zcGVsbGluZy1iZWU_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzAzMTgmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9ODc4ODMmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTI4MTQ1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpkCaWoFWTLzUOjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). If you’re in the mood to play more, find [all our games here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0S1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vZ2FtZXM_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzAzMTgmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9ODc4ODMmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTI4MTQ1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpkCaWoFWTLzUOjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). Forward this newsletter to friends to share ideas and perspectives that will help inform their lives. They can [sign up here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbmV3c2xldHRlcnMvb3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheW5sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwMzE4Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTg3ODgzJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEyODE0NSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZAmlqBVky81Do1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). Do you have feedback? Email us at [opiniontoday@nytimes.com](mailto:opiniontoday@nytimes.com?subject=Opinion%20Today%20Newsletter%20Feedback). [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-universal-2) ADVERTISEMENT [Ad](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0SYaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9NzI2NTM3JmxpPVRZJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1UWV8yMDIzMDMxOCZ0ZT0xJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzAzMThXA255dEIKZAmlqBVky81Do1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) If you have questions about your Times account, delivery problems or other issues, visit our [Help Page](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TbaHR0cHM6Ly9oZWxwLm55dGltZXMuY29tL2hjL2VuLXVzL2FydGljbGVzLzM2MDAwMTQ4ODI2Ni1OZXdzbGV0dGVycz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDMxOCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD04Nzg4MyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMjgxNDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQJpagVZMvNQ6NSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) or [contact The Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TaaHR0cHM6Ly9oZWxwLm55dGltZXMuY29tL2hjL2VuLXVzL2FydGljbGVzLzExNTAxNTM4NTg4Ny1Db250YWN0LVVzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwMzE4Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTg3ODgzJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEyODE0NSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZAmlqBVky81Do1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-tracking_unit-3) Need help? Review our [newsletter help page](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TbaHR0cHM6Ly9oZWxwLm55dGltZXMuY29tL2hjL2VuLXVzL2FydGljbGVzLzM2MDAwMTQ4ODI2Ni1OZXdzbGV0dGVycz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDMxOCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD04Nzg4MyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMjgxNDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQJpagVZMvNQ6NSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) or [contact us](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TaaHR0cHM6Ly9oZWxwLm55dGltZXMuY29tL2hjL2VuLXVzL2FydGljbGVzLzExNTAxNTM4NTg4Ny1Db250YWN0LXVzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwMzE4Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTg3ODgzJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEyODE0NSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZAmlqBVky81Do1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for the Opinion Today newsletter from The New York Times. To stop receiving Opinion Today, [unsubscribe](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TWaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbmV3c2xldHRlcnMvb3B0b3V0P2VtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwMzE4Jm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcHJvZHVjdD1UWSZzZW5kX2lkPTEyODE0NSZ0ZT0xJnRva2VuPTFkNzRmYzVjMzNiZjdkNWY1NDJhNWZjOGQ1NGNjOWZkZWFiYTBlMTZjMmJmZDQ4ZmExYWZkMTFjZTk4MzNhNGZhNmZmZmZjNDc2NTFhZTIyZjg0YmZkMTQ5ZWQyMjYzNVcDbnl0QgpkCaWoFWTLzUOjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, [manage your email preferences](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbmV3c2xldHRlcnMvbWFuYWdlP2VtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwMzE4Jm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmc2VuZF9pZD0xMjgxNDUmdGU9MSZ0b2tlbj1iYTMzOWY2NmNlYTlmYTI5NDM4M2VjNzkzMmQ5ZjFhNTNiMGM4Y2EyNDFjYTJjMGNiNmY1NDE1ZTk1OTJlZWYwMzhkYTVhYTZjZDMyY2FmYjg1ZjU4OGFhMTIwYWNiOTNXA255dEIKZAmlqBVky81Do1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). [Subscribe to The Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TNaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc3Vic2NyaXB0aW9uP2NhbXBhaWduSWQ9OVJYNzgmY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzAzMTgmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9ODc4ODMmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTI4MTQ1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpkCaWoFWTLzUOjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~)[Get The New York Times app](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TKaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc2VydmljZXMvbW9iaWxlL2luZGV4Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzAzMTgmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9ODc4ODMmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTI4MTQ1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpkCaWoFWTLzUOjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) Connect with us on: [facebook](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0S8aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL255dG9waW5pb24vP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwMzE4Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTg3ODgzJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEyODE0NSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZAmlqBVky81Do1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [twitter](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0S2aHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9ueXRvcGluaW9uP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwMzE4Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTg3ODgzJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEyODE0NSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZAmlqBVky81Do1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [instagram](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0S9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9ueXRvcGluaW9uLz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDMxOCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD04Nzg4MyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMjgxNDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQJpagVZMvNQ6NSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Change Your Email](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TEaHR0cHM6Ly9teWFjY291bnQubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbWVtL2VtYWlsLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzAzMTgmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9ODc4ODMmbmw9b3Bpbmlvbi10b2RheSZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTI4MTQ1JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgpkCaWoFWTLzUOjUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~)[Privacy Policy](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vY29udGVudC9oZWxwL3JpZ2h0cy9wcml2YWN5L3BvbGljeS9wcml2YWN5LXBvbGljeS5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjMwMzE4Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTg3ODgzJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTEyODE0NSZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKZAmlqBVky81Do1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA)[Contact Us](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TMaHR0cHM6Ly9teWFjY291bnQubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbWVtYmVyY2VudGVyL2hlbHAuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDMxOCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD04Nzg4MyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMjgxNDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQJpagVZMvNQ6NSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~)[California Notices](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0TJaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vcHJpdmFjeS9jYWxpZm9ybmlhLW5vdGljZT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIzMDMxOCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD04Nzg4MyZubD1vcGluaW9uLXRvZGF5JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xMjgxNDUmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmQJpagVZMvNQ6NSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [LiveIntent Logo](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0RQaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGl2ZWludGVudC5jb20vcG93ZXJlZC1ieT90ZT0xJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzAzMThXA255dEIKZAmlqBVky81Do1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA)[AdChoices Logo](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRl-C2lP0RQaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGl2ZWludGVudC5jb20vYWQtY2hvaWNlcz90ZT0xJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMzAzMThXA255dEIKZAmlqBVky81Do1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018