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Apr 20, 2004 A young man walked in to the artist gallery where I work on Saturdays. His piece had been juried and accepted and hung in the current installation. Part of my job is to listen to people as well as assist them in other ways. An upcoming show will be called “Controversy”. He wanted some suggestions. He said that having grown up here in Florida, he somehow cannot think of anything controversial. One thing I suggested was of interest. The image of flying the American flag and the Confederate flag together. The young man said that he saw no controversy there, after all, we live in a country where you can express yourself. Well. I know there are legal limits set upon the population about just how much you can express yourself. In fact, in this day and age, a more traditional behavioral norm is being promoted on one side, and a bold, totally opposite behavior is being promoted on the other. There is, however, a universal or Federal law against hate- mongering. At least, I thought there was. I also thought that we had fought our only civil war; a bloody, horrible war over our national identity; part of this battle, where so many lives were lost, was the emancipation of the slave. I realize that this was a terrible time in the South. I realize the pain and suffering endured that final defeat, after years of deprivation, must have brought. And further, the Civil Rights movement which brought more unwanted changes to many. But, a war was fought over the principal that a life built on slavery was wrong and could not longer be permitted to continue. And a public declaration was made that slavery is wrong and will not continue in this country. And the promise of our Constitution of Liberty and Justice for ALL needed to be fulfilled. It’s not only principle, it a matter of respect. No. A person shouldn’t have the freedom to fly a rebel flag next to the flag of the United States. The dead may not have feelings, but isn’t the ultimate action of their lives, the sacrifice of their lives, of any significance? Yes. Both sides lost their sons and mourned them. But the evil of slavery lost, and those who lost their lives in that cause lost. What does it mean to fly this flag, this symbol of the South? Dehumanizing someone makes it easier to do things to that person. Makes it easier to see that person as less than. Less than a person. Less than equal. Less deserving. Inferior. Animal-like. And how we treat animals is a reflection of our inhumanity. It is a reflection of our lesser selves. Our unrealized selves. Recently, in a local neighborhood, an animal, a dog, was tortured and poisoned. It crawled home to die. Animal cruelty is punished here. It is one step to cruelty to humans. And in these same neighborhoods, there is a lot of abuse in families. Humans acting inhumanely against each other and against lesser creatures. I understand that in some Oriental language, an animal is called a walking thing. It is understood traditionally that if you beat a man, he in turn with beat a dog, or other lesser creature. It is not hard to harm another creature if you deny that it has feelings and can feel pain, too. It all seems part of a vicious cycle. Man dehumanizes other humans who then release their anger and fury on animals, women, children and others. Is this flag flying just a desire to continue in our nasty ways, only people would again grin and bear it more? Would stay in their place, more? Would hide their rough edges, their lack of education and erudition? Is it that people are mourning the lack of gentility and wishing for a return to a more polite society? That can be achieved, I think. I don’t see how a negative act, such as flying a symbol of oppression, is the best way to achieve public cooperation and support. Is it just too hard to recognize another’s humanity? Is it just too easy to believe that it is hopeless? Maybe it isn’t possible to break this cycle. Maybe it is what it is because it is necessary. Everyone creates his/her own reality. How can we know the good without the bad? The beautiful without the ugly? Maybe we should not strive to improve, but rather accept and follow a fatalistic approach to life. It is what it is and so be it. No. It is what it is, but everyone can overcome their limitations, frustrations, obstacles if they desire to do so. I’ve seen autistic children who had not spoken in years, speak, out of a desire. Life loving life. This should never be subverted. ------------ Email Risa: risa008@yahoo.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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