Never forget so it never happens again

Honoring the May 4 Coalition at Kent State University.  Forty-four years later these events still render me speechless.

479 feet

Dear Mr. Mayor:

This makes me sad.

This is only a partial viewing of the detritus I encountered in a mere 479 feet.  I got up early that morning. Decided to beat the heat by walking early, and beat the crowds of silliness (e.g. pants on the ground).  To my dismay this is what I saw in 479 feet.  Again, it's not a comprehensive viewing.  There was more.

How do I know it was only 479 feet?  Because I looked it up on Google Earth, which I love.

I haven't seen this much liter since the 60s.  Okay, it's the hood, but it's our home.  Shouldn't we take pride in it?  Why should someone else have to clean up your poison?  (booze bottles, cigarette butts, cans, used ketchup containers and used condoms?)  This is our home.  Take pride in our home.

I heard a young man at the bus stop lamenting that he was broke.  Said he didn't have the money for the bus. Said he needed a hustle.  I wanted to say "Duh!"  But said nothing.  Pick up the cans in the hood!  You can probably make $10.00!  And wouldn't even have to work too hard.

Dear Mr. Mayor, I will clean up the litter when I am out and about.  If you will buy me one of these:

Trash grabber from Grainger.  I'd pick it up now, but I can't bend over.  I could even be your ambassador in your new Safe City Initiative.  I read about your initiative to make Akron safer in the City News, Summer 2013 edition.  We can even have wrist bands, like these made:

Custom wrist bands from Wrist Warehouse.  Then these ambassadors of pride can pass out the bracelets, as a reminder.  I can also use social media to its fullest advantage.

Let's have pride in our home!  Please don't litter!

The Second Amendment

I had a fun fashion post scheduled for today.  When I saw the tragic news this morning, my heart was broken. Once again.  Suddenly fashion was unimportant, frivolous and shallow even.  My prayers go to the families, victims and survivors of the shooting in Connecticut.  How many of these tragic incidents do we need to happen before we stop the insanity? A discussion of weapon ownership is long past due.  Silence and cowardice are no longer luxuries we can afford.  Indeed if we continue to keep silent, we are complicitous in this insanity.  In other words: if we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem.  We each must take responsibility for our role in this tragedy.  It is blatantly untrue that this is a complex issue.  Here's a good place to start the discussion. Let's look at what the Second Amendment actually says.   The Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States states in its entirety:
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"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
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Isn't it amazing how such a few words can be so hotly debated?  I have read the Amendment over and over, and it seems to me the intent is that a Militia shall bear arms (e.g., the armed forces).  I see no reference to the rights of individuals to bear arms. In any event, this amendment was adopted in 1791. It is my belief that we should all lay down our arms.  At the very least, the amendment should be re-evaluated to clear up its ambiguity and to clarify its language. We no longer use language in this fashion, so we must be clear on its intent.
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Keep in mind, the argument that "criminals" will still obtain weapons is an invalid one. A thorough examination of the mass shootings in the U.S. shows that most weapons used have been obtained legally.  Let's use this marvelous technology to affect real change.  Please, let's lay down our arms.  It's the right thing to do.  It really is that simple.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

I know every one's already seen this video, but I can't help commenting on it.

I wept when I watched this.  I know we all share her sentiment.  But think for a moment how deeply profound this is.  As a culture we have harmed a little girl with our meanness.  She feels it.  And then we wonder why children bully each other.  They learn it from us.  I've never seen so much name calling of the Commander in Chief.  It's shameful.  I've heard President Obama compared to Hitler (Glenn Beck); called a retard and that the GOP should start attacking his children (Ann Coulter);  that he was shucking and jiving during the debate (Sarah Palin) and many more vicious, disrespectful and uncalled for attacks.  What are we teaching our children?  Meanness.  This is yellow journalism at its worst.  This type of journalism is an insult to the profession, has no dignity and no place in modern society.  There is nothing socially redeemable about it.  Isn't it ironic that people actually get paid to harm the psyche of the nation in a time when so many are unemployed?

We need to start practicing empathy and compassion, there is not a moment to waste.  If interested in a long political diatribe on the need for empathy and compassion, please see my post below.

The Politics of Compassion

Dear readers, I've had so much I wanted to say for so long.  Before I get started, I'd like to offer my love and prayers to the people who have been impacted by hurricane Sandy.  I'd also like to thank President Obama and Governor Christie for doing the right thing.

I barely know where to start, and I am so exhausted I'm not even sure I want to.  I've been rethinking my blog for so long.  I'm sure every blogger goes through this.  They get busy and don't have the time they'd like to devote to it, or they grapple with how much personal information to share.  I do love reading blogs where I feel as if I am getting to know the writer, and I love blogging.  The ability to share and get feedback is a wonderful thing, and I am so grateful to the people who take the time to read my blog.

I have been rethinking my blog since July 20.  That is the day of the shooting in a Colorado movie theater.  I am mystified that people still defend the rights of individuals to own assault weapons.  Every time there is a shooting, it breaks my heart.  

As you know, I've been dealing with a strange illness for the last three years.  My condition is such that at the moment I must remain calm.  The election has been a particularly difficult time for me.  Never have I seen our nation so divided.  Never have I seen Congress act so deplorably and disrespectfully toward the Commander in Chief.  They have blocked many bills that the American people need.  We all know what's going on with Congress, its racism. There I've said it.  The time for racism is over.  They are not hurting Obama, they are hurting the people they are supposed to be representing.  Congress needs to be reminded that they work for us.  It is sickening that they act in accord with their own greedy agendas above the needs of their constituents.

I'm part of the 47% that Governor Romney referred to in his controversial speech.  I live in a very poor neighborhood.  I wish Romney could come spend a day with me and see what I see.  Yes, we need jobs.  But even more importantly, we need education for today's technological jobs.  Even if this neighborhood were infused with jobs, the people are not educated enough to qualify for the jobs.  And they don't have  wealthy parents to borrow the money from for education.

I'm one of the victims of the situation Obamacare seeks to prevent.  I am one of those Americans who got sick and lost everything.  I'm probably not what you think.  If you saw me walking down the street, you'd probably think I was a teacher or a librarian.  I did everything right, I worked hard for many years, often working overtime while putting myself through college.  I paid a helluva lot of taxes.  After many years, I finally got a good job and then I got sick.  My employer did what many employers do at such a time (which is one reason why we don't want to run America like a corporation).  They threw me out like a piece of crap.  Fortunately, Obama had passed the ARRA of 2009.  Thanks to the COBRA subsidies provided by the ARRA, I was able to receive lifesaving surgery.  Looking for help when faced with homelessness was excruciating.  Jumping through the hoops when I was feeling so poorly was almost impossible.  I wondered what people with less tenacity (not that I had much) did.  I was mystified every time I heard the words "safety net."  As someone who needed public assistance, I am here to tell you there is no safety net.  It's a lie.  The system is designed with so many catch 22's it is damn hard to navigate.

I spent many days at the food stamps office.  It was always packed.  My mom asked me if the people in the waiting room looked  like "losers."  When I asked what she meant, she said, "You know, homeless, dirty, crazy-looking people.  You know, like the people we see on the street and ignore."  No, I told her they all looked like me.  Normal, college educated, middle aged women for the most part.  Most single and without family.  Many dealing with illness.

The United States is suffering with a lack of empathy of epidemic proportions.  We need to remember that every one of us will deal with illness or lack at one point or another.  Every one of us will need help at one point or another.  There are times when the strong must carry the weak.  And they must do it with humility and compassion, not resentment and contempt.  They should be cognizant of the fact that it is easier to be in a position of being able to provide help than it is to need help.  And above all, they should be grateful for what they have.  We must eradicate poverty entirely, so that it becomes an impossibility.  And not just in the U.S. but in the entire world.  The poverty of one encroaches upon the comfort of us all.  This is not about class warfare, it's the right thing to do.  The wealthy do not need to be fearful of losing what they have.  But let's face it, a few people could have a little less, so that many people could have a little more.  We need to set aside fear, there is plenty to go around.

Yes, I've been called a naive liberal many times.  But I don't see it that way.  It's simply a matter of doing the right thing.  Making sure that every American has food, shelter, medical care AND education is the right thing.  Setting aside arms is the right thing.  Ending war is the right thing.  Taking care of the environment is the right thing.  Sharing the wealth of the world in a more equitable fashion is the right thing.  If I'm a socialist, then so be it.  But slapping labels on free speech in order to silence it, is cowardly indeed.

What does this have to do with my blog?  Well, I sometimes feel as if I write about frivolous things when the world's people are in need of so much help.  I feel the pull to help change things.  However, I do think focusing on beauty can be an important reminder. For all the horrible things humans do, they also do amazing and wonderful things.  I am always amazed at the artistry of humans.  Writing about art and design can be political.  In fact, all acts are political in one way or another.  Just like all acts are artistic in one way or another.  We are all connected, so politics and art are one.  I believe that's why I love public art so much.  Everyone needs beauty in their life, and there is plenty to go around.  Why don't we just start being more compassionate to each other and make life easier for each other?  It really is just that simple.

There.  It's out of my system.  Maybe I'll be able to sleep tonight.  If you've read this long diatribe, thank you so much for your attention.  If you haven't done so already, please vote for President Obama.

Speechless

I scarcely know what to say about the horror that took place in Norway this weekend.  Norway.  The spot where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded.  My heart is breaking for this peaceful nation.  Such acts of violence are incomprehensible to me, and I want them to remain that way.  I don't want to understand what makes a mind capable of this type of action.  I know this, however, if weapons exist they will be used.  I beseech the world's peoples - let's lay our arms.  Please.  It really is just that simple.

Image of beautiful weeping woman courtesy of flickr user NotforSale.  Montage by Peggy.

Opportunities

The morning of November 5 was a jubilant one. Walking to work, people were smiling and had their heads up. Many were cheering. And everyone was saying good morning!

Indeed it was a great day. An optimistic day. At the stoplights people remarked that a new day had arrived. I have seen so much in my lifetime - a man walk on the moon, the invention of CD players, DVD players, the internet and cell phones, and now a black man elected president. But the election is not about that. It's about the hope and vision Obama brings. It's about the end of old boy politics. And I hope to see in my lifetime - the end of war.

I want to be a part of the recreating of America. For the first time in my adult life, I am excited about politics. Thank you for that great gift, President-Elect Obama.

I have already written about our responsibility to help our new president.

Here is one thing we can all do that is very simple. Change our language.

Let's replace the word challenge with opportunity. Instead of saying Obama has great challenges ahead, let's say we have great opportunities ahead.

We have a great opportunity to recreate America. And it can be fun. It doesn't have to be work.

Politics is Art, Art is Politics

I hope my readers will forgive my digression. As a sensitive, artistic soul, I have found it impossible not to be focused on politics of late.

I cannot stress enough that we must help Obama recreate America. He can't do it alone. He needed our votes and now he needs our support.

What does this have to do with art? Well, everything is art, and everything is political. Through this blog, I hope to demonstrate an integrative theory of art and politics. Politics needs the tempering of art, and art needs to be political. Art and politics go hand-in-hand. And how could they not? All things lead to the same path. We are all one. Or as Obama puts it, "Our similarities are greater than our differences."

Make no mistake, this election was not about race. It was about change and optimism. Old boy politics is over. Americans want and need change. And the only way to bring about the change we need is with love and compassion.

Obama's image is already becoming an iconographic representation of optimism and change.

Jenn Ski is one of my favorite artists. I love her illustration of Obama! For more iconographic art, see my previous post here.

Image by Peggy.

A touching moment from the rally in Columbus.

And another. This one says it all, doesn't it? Images from Obama's flickr set (link).

Opportunities Lie Ahead

Do some Good.

The energy lightened in the United States last week. Tangibly. On November 4, as I walked home from work, the sunset over Lake Erie was one of the most beautiful I'd ever seen. It wasn't necessary for me to watch the results, I knew. I knew Barack Obama was destined to be president. Not just because of his tenacity, but also because of the tenacity of voters.

U.S. citizens should be very proud of themselves for protecting their right to vote this election. Our last two elections may have been stolen from us, and we have been approaching fascism. Many volunteered at the polls to make sure Americans' votes were protected. When poll workers turned voters away because they were at the wrong site, a fleet of cars was available to take voters to the correct location. Lawyers volunteered at every site to resolve any discrepancies onsite.

For my international readers, I would like you to know that the majority of Americans are opposed to the war in Iraq. Yet, we were rendered powerless during the last administration.

The current foreign policy and its over- zealous attitude toward "terrorists" is bordering on witch-hunting. In the last eight years we have lost civil rights, and these must be regained, otherwise the terrorists have indeed won.

WTF? He looks like robocop! Who exactly do we need protection from? This is an example of one of the many armed forces in the United States. Frightening isn't it? Was this guy protecting the citizens of the U.S? No, we was watching a small peaceful group of homosexuals exercising their constitutional right to assembly. The U.S. is dangerously close to becoming a military state. It seems we did not learn the lessons of Eisenhower.

Americans are not complacent, nor lazy (after all most of us work 50 hours per week and never take vacations). They are afraid - and with good reason. However, we need to set aside our fear and recreate our beloved America.

The only people who didn't lose jobs in America during the Bush administration were cops. One night a friend and I were counting the number of armed forces that we knew of. City cops, state cops, county cops, FBI, DEA, ATF, Homeland Security, CIA, Secret Service, Department of Treasury..... I know I'm missing some. Then the universities have their own police forces, the RTA has its own police force, the metropolitan housing agency has its own police force. Yet, any time I have ever needed the assistance of the police, they never came.

What's the point of all of this? The point is Obama cannot do this alone. We must help him.