I am an American adult living during frightening times. Since 911 the world has been in a state of emergency. The United States is engaged in a war with no end in sight. That expenditure is draining hope and opportunity on the American home front. People from all ages and walks of life are losing their livelihood.
My home, Michigan has the highest unemployment rate in the country. Michiganders are experiencing reduction of jobs, daily budget cuts, devaluation of property, and lack of opportunity. Hardworking people are struggling to pay their monthly bills. The home foreclosure rate is soaring and many families are being forced to relocate. The creativity that exists in my home state, in its many forms, is what has been my biggest support during these trying times.
During tough financial times people become more afraid than loving, and put on their armor. People and programs that were once valued must suddenly defend their worth. Citizens are pitted against one another competing for their piece of the pie.
Hardship changes people. Loyalty is confused with conformity. Opposition is considered radical. Small programs are used as scapegoats while true problems are ignored. When I watch the news it is all smoke and mirrors. Human Services, education, humanities and arts are the first programs to go. People called to serve in the name of creativity have their security taken from them and are forced into reluctant change.
In the end, they will not say, "Those were dark times,” they will ask,
"why were their poets silent?" - Bertolt Brecht
Some may question why local or national tax dollars should support the arts at all. I think this should be questioned, just as all programs should be questioned and evaluated. Most people are aware of the incredible waste and inequity that occurs within the bureaucratic “system”. The amount that you are paying for the arts is really very small, as compared to the amount of money unaccounted for during the current war. The results are endless and timeless if properly invested. The burden of the US foreign policy is forcing a disinvestment in arts, education and culture. The most recent cuts dropped the state’s art spending from $1.07 to $0.79 per resident. The money raised and spent on the presidential election could instead sponsor every worthy non-profit in the country.
Why I promote supporting creativity. First let’s think about it’s definition.
cre·a·tiv·i·ty n
1. the quality of being creative
2. the ability to use the imagination to develop new and original ideas or things, especially in an artistic context
What a society values reflects volumes. American culture values money, status, independence and power. These values have forged the foundation of a super power and with that has come super problems. President Bush thinks it is America’s job to create values for the entire world. He has exhibited “extraordinary” authority during his presidency and that will leave the country with long-term problems. I don’t want to bore or depress anyone more than they already are, but it is no surprise that our country is hated, our environment is polluted and our youth angry and over stimulated. Religion is considered extremely important to Americans, yet recent research shows most Christians cannot answer basic questions about the bible. The essence of world truths, like the fundamentals of all religions is often confused by the hypocrisy of unscrupulous leadership. Without creativity, we as a people will not survive. We will continue to take pharmaceutical anti depressants to function, decimate the environment and over stimulate our children. Artists serve an important function throughout time. Creative acts help people get in touch with their emotions. It helps people actualize and feel inspired.
We need to revisit history for some creative ideas. I remember learning about how President Franklin Delano Roosevelt established the Work Projects Administration in 1935, as part of his New Deal program. Many New Deal administrators believed that art should be a part of the daily lives of all Americans, not just the elite, and could enrich the lives of all who came in contact with it.
The goal was also to put millions of unemployed Americans back to work. The Federal One Project was established within the WPA as an administration for the arts-related projects. Federal One provided funds specifically for artists, musicians, actors, and writers through the Federal Art Project (FAP), the Federal Music Project, the Federal Theatre Project, and the Federal Writer's Project. The program employed more than five thousand artists in various art projects including the many poster divisions that were created throughout the United States. I propose we quit giving money to Halliburton and Greywater immediately and establish a fund like the Federal One Project. American people need more creativity in their lives, not more fighting.
The courage and the capacity to honor new ideas and to see things in different ways are needed for human survival in this Global World. When I explore the world for inspiration, it is creativity that possesses the strength to soothe the world’s problems. Human beings are here to create. Creativity stimulates intuition and soothes emotions. Creativity comes in many forms including art, music, nature and spirituality. American culture could benefit from some new stories. The ability of a story to transform the world is beyond practicality. We as a people need to imagine our way out of the current political power struggle. Imagination takes creativity and creativity is needed for hope.
"Heroes are not giant statues framed against a red sky.
They are people who say, 'This is my community, and it's my
Responsibility to make it better.'" Tom McCall
Ways to nurture creativity and community inspires the following question,
What are you doing when you feel like you are doing what you are supposed to be doing?
Plant a garden in your yard or a community garden.
Buy from a local farmer.
Shop at local stores and restaurants.
Create art out of trash and modify old items.
Be nice to strangers.
Be kind to your family.
Let yourself do what you love.
Be a part of grassroots politics.
Support artists.
Recycle.
Dance.
Celebrate with music.
3 comments:
Very astute as always! How are you Pet? I miss you. Hope you are well. Drop me a line
Keep on creating Petra and you'll inspire the rest of us out of our slumber.
You're right. We need to get it together and create! Consider this: Indiana University's campus is condsidered one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. We can thank the WPA and local artisans for making it that way! Many of IU's core campus buildings were built under FDR's WPA program using local limestone and local artisans to cut and carve it. The Auditorium is home to Thomas Hart Benton's "Century of Progress" murals, which were painted for the 1933 Chicago World's Fair. They are spectacular and tell a vivid story about the strugle of working people, of racism and hate, of hope and love. It is a reminder that you cannot change the past, but you can do something to make the future a better place for all. Creativity will move us forward ...
Post a Comment