Opinion Today: How our experiences shape our opinions

Introducing our new podcast, First Person.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story June 9, 2022 By Lulu Garcia-Navarro Merritt Tierce's story begins in a bathroom, on the campus of the Christian college where she found out she was pregnant at the age of 19. As she recounted that moment to me over 20 years later, her voice still shook as she recalled the terror she felt. As we face the potential end of Roe v. Wade, I wanted to understand what it was like to feel like you don't have a choice to end your pregnancy and the lifelong consequences of that. Right now, both sides of the abortion debate are speaking in absolutes, but as many women will tell you, their stories of how they ended their pregnancies — or did not — are filled with nuance and complexity. Tierce's journey from a teenage mother and wife to her life now does not fit neatly into any of the polarized abortion narratives we often hear. In Times Opinion's new podcast, First Person, we will be delving into the stories that helped shape people's opinions today. In America right now, it can often feel as if we have collectively decided to tune out those we don't agree with, and the only voices that break through are the most strident. I'll confess I find it easier not to discuss certain topics with my politically divided family just to make life smoother, and I've felt my understanding of the world I live in circumscribed because of it. In the coming weeks, First Person will be talking to people who intersect with our urgent political moment in surprising ways. The goal is not to persuade anyone about a particular point of view, but rather to invite people to listen to someone they might not regularly interact with and who can explain, in their own words, the often messy and fascinating ways we become who we are and believe what we believe. Listen to the first episode here. The New York Times Abortion Didn't Feel Like an Option. Neither Did Motherhood. At 19, Merritt Tierce found herself unexpectedly pregnant and facing what felt like an impossible choice. By 'First Person' Every opinion starts with a story. Listen to our new narrative show wherever you get your podcasts. Here's what we're focusing on today: Editors' Picks Guest Essay The Door Between Russia and America Is Slamming Shut The post-totalitarian dream of a peaceful, friendly future is over. By Anastasia Edel Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT On the News Guest Essay The Insurrection Didn't End on Jan. 6. The Hearings Need to Prove That. The success of the committee rests on whether it can build a partnership with American voters to see the truth of what happened and what is still happening. By Norman Eisen and E. Danya Perry Frank Bruni Liz Cheney Will Not Tolerate Trump's Lies At the risk of political suicide, the vice chair of the Jan. 6 committee will hold the former president to account. By Frank Bruni David Brooks The Jan. 6 Committee Has Already Blown It It needs to safeguard the next election, not relive the last one. By David Brooks Ideas Charles M. Blow America's 'Psychic Numbing' to Gun Violence Americans have become overwhelmed by the scale of so much death and convinced that there is little they can do to change it. By Charles M. Blow Guest Essay We Need Hope to Combat Violence. That Won't Arrive Without Action. To adequately address violence, we need to take stock of everything at once. By Rachel Louise Snyder Jessica Grose Our Kids Lost Special Moments During the Pandemic. They Won't Get Them All Back. My fourth grader thinks about every event she's missed, and I can't pretend it doesn't hurt. By Jessica Grose Guest Essay The Stories We Tell Ourselves About Sickness and Health Grappling with a recent case of Covid. By Megan K. Stack Spencer Bokat-Lindell Is the #MeToo Movement Dying? Nearly five years later, some have concluded that the forces of backlash have won. By Spencer Bokat-Lindell peter coy The U.S. Tech Sector Is Looking Weak. That's a Geopolitical Risk. Do we need to produce more of our own advanced technologies? By Peter Coy Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Opinion Audio Will Prime Time Undermine or Elevate the Jan. 6 Hearings? Our panelists discuss how televising the House committee sessions could shape the long-haul defense of democracy. By 'Sway' What You're Saying letters Should We Show Photos of Victims of Gun Violence? Readers discuss whether photos of bloodied bodies could garner support for gun safety measures. Also: Guns and politics; Fox News and the Jan. 6 hearings. Subscribe Today New York Times Opinion curates a wide range of views, inviting rich discussion and debate that helps readers analyze the world. This work is made possible with the support of subscribers. Please consider subscribing to The Times with this special offer. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Games Here is today's Mini Crossword and Spelling Bee. If you're in the mood to play more, find all our games here. Forward this newsletter to friends to share ideas and perspectives that will help inform their lives. They can sign up here. Do you have feedback? Email us at opiniontoday@nytimes.com. Contact us if you have questions about your Times account, delivery problems or other issues, visit our Help Page or contact The Times. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for the Opinion Today newsletter from The New York Times. 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