Tolerance (or "Intolerance?")

I went to bed last night entirely disturbed at the growing intolerance in the USA. I grew up during a period of intense civil rights action. I literally watched Watts burn. I watched segregation, desegregation, gender inequality in my work place, anti-semitism, communist nuclear fear, volumes of bigotry, fear and hatred of OTHERS. From the time I was a little girl, I ALWAYS hated this.

I volunteered for peace making; between my parents when they fought, at school when there were civil rights action committees, and on the internet when I see wicked posts in the guise of PATRIOTISM. I BARF and then comment.
Dear God, what is wrong with people?

The answer to that is FEAR.

Just when the world has become a truly WONDERFUL place for some of us who can travel to communist countries, FRIEND people to whose countries we can't travel to, but can learn about; a HUGE seemingly insurmountable challenge of HATRED and FEAR has presented itself. Obama being called a Marxist? (people go read the works of those radicals that ain't Obama), fear of a house of worship being built in the USA for a religion being libeled with bigotry and mistrust? Whites still live in fear of blacks, Christians still dislike Jews (with the exception that they seem to unite to thwart Islam - the new kid on the block) and everyone wants to conspire for invented conspiracy ideas against their government! (people: take a good humanities class to clear up your lack of understanding on European History).

The single common element is FEAR. Why do we always have to come to the party dressed in a costume of fear? What is wrong with coming to the party dressed in an outfit of REASON, EDUCATION, PATIENCE AND TOLERANCE?

It takes so much energy to live in hate and fear....of ourselves. If one travels to places of other cultures, one understands that all of humanity is basically the same, the fringe is radical, and governmental institutions are in the business of fear mongering and power grabbing. But the masses - are generally just looking to get through life's daily challenges, survive and create a sense of community and welfare. But, when the masses lose their focus and their tolerance, they are waylaid into a world of destruction, loss of balance, hate, degradation of welfare, mistrust and less than productive living. We are only increasing our burdens by living in a world of fear and hate.

I offer these truisms: "Love thy fellowman," "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and "he ain't heavy, he's my brother (The Hollies)," and "let it begin with me."

I am reminded of these words in salutation,
"Peace Brother"

Enjoy a day filled with LOVE not hate, it will dispel your fear.

LSU Chalk Trip

This isn't your Mother's Capitalism!

I had to ask "why can't I buy good quality substantial underwear these days?!" As I wandered in to Victoria Secrets (next to Bath and Body Works - original destination) I figured save some time and go get some underwear. NOT.

I have shopped VS for 30 years. I can't believe it! For that reason alone I should not stop in. My experience represents a case in point. (It could as well be JC Penny's if you'd prefer the visuals.)

The fabric was "nothingness" and I'm not saying that in a good way. There was nothing to it. (NO. Not that way, either!) Thirty years ago the fabrics were thick and when you ran it between your fingers there was something to feel. And, when you washed it, it held up, over time. I still have some of it... (I will probably never wear in this lifetime), but it certainly points out the quality differences. I walk into another store Kohl's and I walk out because I am bombarded by cheap, one season, thin, synthetic yucky options.

Where did the quality go? I decided after much thought, that my Mother's Capitalism was that of opportunity for buyers and sellers. Remember that "value added" thing? Glasses at gas station, blue chip stamps, thicker cottons, heavier fabrics, beautiful cashmere's? Those were all post war scenarios of how merchandisers and retailers sought your business by advertising MORE QUALITY for the money.

What is the difference today? Clearly, MORE CHEAP goods for the money. All capitalists can do these days is offer you quantity. Quality vs. Quantity. Because the consumer can be lured with that concept. Capitalists are fighting for survival and consumers are fighting for survival. And, everyone is forgetting to keep their eye on the ball. The solution is not cheaper and cheaper goods. If we support this type of system we are corrupting capitalism and our own quality of life. My advice is to rethink our values. Stand with some integrity for QUALITY. Open our mouthes and tell the market what we REALLY want and stand with some integrity behind quality products. You don't NEED EVERYTHING. Like Cheryl Crow says the point is not to have what you want, but to "want what you have." I asked myself yesterday...I can't buy good underwear anymore. Is this really the price of freedom and the Free Market System?! Compare that to the Communism of thirty years ago, where they used to have minimal variety and crappy selections....that makes me really stop and think!

Undermining the Artists' Industry

I hope this doesn't turn into a rant. But, there is no way around this. I wish civic groups would quit asking artists to do things without financial compensation! God, how it lowers the industry of the Arts and works diametrically opposed to artists earning a living. If artists weren't so desperate to do their art forms and would act in concert with each other under some kind of alliance and business standard, they wouldn't allow themselves to be abused and financially swindled.

Come on people! art in public areas needs to be funded and real artists paid. There needs to be standards; there needs to be a sense of professionalism. Banners, transformer boxes, contests, parking awnings, billboards, all the solicitations that are being made by Art Commissions and civic groups to "convince" artists that they are receiving an equitable exchange: A wolf in sheep's clothing! It is nothing more than giving something away for free which should be paid. Sometimes the results are only example's of "self expression" and certainly NOT skilled artwork!

And what happens to the INDUSTRY of the Artist?! It is in fact buried and becoming non existent. Remember that old saying "why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?" (my Mom used to use that one for discussing gender relations and the appropriate behavior needed to secure a marriage). Guess what? it has just as much relevance when trying to earn a living as an artist!

It would be a different story if artists weren't scrambling for $$$ and doing free work to start. Why don't these groups go ask architects or engineers or skilled paid labor or art students to do these things? Why are they expecting REAL artists to do something that undermines the word ARTIST? There are appropriate places to ask for free work, but not to the Artist who already must give everything before compensation.

Appealing to artists innate insecurities in society - is terribly without ethics.
And further undermining them as an industry is even worse.

A Conversation with my Son...

I'm a painter...so I should know when something looks good or doesn't. But, sometimes I am the worst judge of my own work because I fall in love with the act of painting, and the work itself is not very good.

I asked my son if he thought I was a talented artist. He said I was, but if I really wanted to find out what people thought I should put my work on the web to strangers...because people that are close to me won't tell me the truth. This contradicts how I behave. I can tell the truth to the people to whom I am closest, and I would not be able to tell the truth to strangers. I am concerned about alienation. It was very interesting how our views differ (and our insecurities) on what we perceive hurts another person, and under what circumstance we withhold the truth.

My son indicated that there are a culture of people on the computer whose mission it is to judge (criticize) what other people construct. I thought about whether a "consensus" of opinion could be important....maybe not...once people agreed that the earth was flat and woman were witches. Why ask people who don't paint? ...and even the one's that do, may have different opinions.

And you know what is said about opinions....

I guess it is best to learn to paint for oneself and be happy in that form of self expression for nothing more than personal reasons that don't need justification from any external source. This is a new concept for me.

Making the Most of What YOU Can Contribute

As I prepare to immerse myself in an different culture - that of Mexico (which is probably more dominated by Canadian tourists where I am staying!) I am wondering WHY it is human nature to "blame" others for things which we don't want to take responsibility?

It became clear when the Rodney King Riots happened in Los Angeles, that everyone just had to blame someone! And, you know what? Absolutely nothing came out of that except siphoned energies that could have been used to REBUILD, MAKE PROGRESSIVE CHANGES, AND FIX CORRUPTED SYSTEMS. I am clearly reminded of that today with the plight of American Health Care, American politics, Middle Eastern Politics, and the Haitian Earthquake.

I will tell you a clear and unequivocal truth: You and Everyone, gain nothing from blaming. You and Everyone make yourselves victims. Victims are happy where they are and want to whine and they contribute nothing. Think about this: Blaming contributes NOTHING. CONTRIBUTE (it releases you from victimization.) Don't pass one more email that whines, complains or blames. DO SOMETHING. Commit yourself to contributing to changing one thing that you dislike or are dissatisfied.

If you want to PASS a statement of blame PROMISE ME that you are ACTING ON IT YOURSELF. Otherwise share it with the other whiners and victims. I am NOT going to go to my grave having been a victim. I am going to be a contributor.

LAE