jillknife
to not bend; to remain rigid; the opposite to jackknife; can also mean to take a stand against something that you know is wrong, even if this may cause you harm
"I'm not going to move on this."
The senator was adamant. Her aide sighed, knowing how stubborn she could be about these things. He loved working for her as she was a woman of principle, strong and resolute. But he couldn't help but think of her as a tree in a storm - only the ones who bend survive: the ones with the thickest trunks that are unable to respond to the bullying shove of the wind will not live to fight another day. They become splintered and shafted and rot down to a stump.
"I know you're disappointed in me, Michael." Senator McLaren looked directly at her aide, the bags under her eyes reflecting the toll the fight was having on her. But they were sharp, glittering with fervour that comes from being right. "But this is too important to be swerving whichever way we're being pulled. It just is. We must remain firm." She paused at the risk of sounding dramatic and added, "Life depends on it."
"It's not disappointment, Senator. It's just, well, I fear for the outcome of us proposing this. You talk about life depending on it but what about ours?"
Senator McLaren gazed steadily at her aide, sensing his fear and acknowledging that she held some too. Deeply. Not that she'd show it. But she sure felt it. It would not deter her though.
Let them threaten. Let them bully. Let them martyr her.
Someone had to take a stand, no matter what.
***
I've not talked about what the Senator and her aide may be proposing - it could be anything that upsets the powers that be, whether it's the right for women to have a choice, or about who should or shouldn't have guns, or something environmental. It doesn't really matter.
However, the principle of standing up to those who want to control or restrict or misgovern is the same, no matter what the issue.
It's got an American feel but it's not specifically about issues in one country. It's about humanity as a whole and having leaders who can speak for us and be strong for us. For all of us.
There is a risk associated with taking a stand. People can be ruthless. But someone has to have the courage to jillknife.
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Comments (21)
Having the courage to have a jillknife. As you said, this is so reflective of everyone as a whole throughout time. Another wonderfully done piece. I can't wait to continue reading your things!
Very good show of strength, definitely could do with leaders with rather more rigidity in their spines these days. I like how you portray the gravity by having the one who would naturally be one of her strongest supporters and who obviously is concerned for her question her moves. It might be worth looking at having this woman talk to some kind of pressure group, again unnamed, and so by doing this you can make the threat seem more explicit, and then we also see how she behave under fire as well as under looming danger. Very good, easy and enjoyable to read. 👍
Wonderful! A new word for an ongoing sense of doing what's right, even in the face of tremendous opposition. Well done, Rachel
Jillknife love it. What the world needs now is many more Jills. Great story. Hints of a new political drama?
I remember scenes like this in my former work. Well done. I felt like I was there.
Well deserved win! I'll have to use that - Jillknife. Love it!
This is a powerful piece, and reminds me of Captain America refusing to budge in Civil War. Standing up for what you believe is hard, especially when there are good people on both “sides”, including people you love and respect.
Reminds me of what Jon Snow learned of Stannis Baratheon. "He's like iron. Unlike steel, he'll break before he bends." I get doing what is right when governing especially in the face of wrongdoing and evil is harrowing. It reminds me of a phrase "When Your opponent goes to stab You with their knife, pick a spot and tell them to move it through slow." Make them realize what they're doing. Bring them to the scene of their crimes. Let their punishment be seeing the punishment that they've inflicted onto others, and how it will topple their house of cards.
Excellent storytelling. The metaphor of the tree is brilliant.
I love this. Sometimes you have to plant your feet ❤️
We could certainly do with more senators like this. Great word!
Such a fantastic word! Congratulations on ru prize 👏🥳xx
Congrats Rachel, on your runner up prize! Well done buddy!,, 😁🎉🎉👏👏
Yayyyyy so happy for you!!! Congratulations!!!!
I love this word and we need it in our lives! Congratulations Rachel. ❤
Very clever! Well done!
Brilliant! So chuffed for you! Super congratulations on great word and the win! 🤍
Congratulations on the Runner up Win!!!
Fantastic word but even better sentiment behind it. We really could do with more jillknifing in the world 🤍
Oh people can be ruthless alright. I truly admire Senator McLaren! Loved your word and story!
Excellent and powerful Rachel. I stand with you and your excellent and meaningful word!!!