Art vs. Life

The Importance of Art and loss of intelligent life in America

I  rarely get involved in politics, it is interesting Street Theater most of the time and it wastes the time I have to create, not only create a life of meaning, but art that can influence and inspire the world in which I live.  

I went to Syracuse this weekend for the premiere opening of  THE EXPRESS,  starring Dennis Quaid, and filmed at University  I had the opportunity to meet Dennis , and the other talented actors and actresses at the gala events that city so beautifully prepared.

You don't want to miss the beautiful film about Ernie Davis the first black Heisman Trophy winner  and the  struggle of  an entire culture to come to grips with its dark side.   Having lived through this era and being married to football coach, who coached both college and pros for forty years I was overcome by the  power of mythology to convey to a diverse population the issues that eat away at our collective souls and rot our true character and the   ethical  meaning in our lives. 

The most offensive manipulation in this election is the way the middle class and lower

middle class are segregated by those who actually prey on their vote.    The common buzz is that those who have been so lucky to go to our top colleges are to be scorned as elite, isn't this the beauty of the AMERICAN DREAM, that all people will have a running start to bring their talents and innate intelligence to the highest level.   The politicians have I believe spoken down to those who are working to raise themselves up.   I have several good friends who never went to college who are self educated and perhaps some of the most inventive and brilliant people I know.   I wish often they had a bit more resource because I know from my own education that study, exposure and experience only make life better and allow each individual to give the gift of their own life to the common good.

It's an insult the way the spinmeisters suggest that the "quote" common  man knows more that the educated man about what real life is.   It suggests that intelligence belongs only to rich and priviledged.

Some of the most influential people in history were artists and writers who died paupers but left the world enlightened.   Since when should we downgrade the movie industry that so artfully portrays our history to the largest population so we can all know more about the human journey.

I heard Dennis Quaid on CNN describe Ernie Davis and the coach he played as humans who were blessed with an understanding of  the  grace of God.      Since  when did being openminded, generous and creative become associated with headonistic secularism.

It's time for those of us in the Arts who grew up in public schools that taught liberal thought and connected it to the Christian message of grace and hope, to  expose this sham for what it really is, lets take back our flag.

I am not  really sure  what conservative means, or  liberal for that matter.  I am an artist who believes that creativity, excellence, God and the flag all belong together with nuance , patience, civility and kindness.  If this is what is not popular, I hope I am not popular.   Lets take back our  Flag and fly it high in our public schools, and teach tolerance, art and culture so that there is no child left behind, left out of the beauty of a deep, nuanced, soul filled life.

Not  a template party line filled with fear based, lack of intelligent life.  HELP  we have to wake up. We are in deep trouble.  We are being had.  If we don't wake up soon we are no longer going to have an American Dream.

A culture who can not articulate its path, which is what Art does, is a culture with no value and no future.