Today marks the 40th anniversary of the shootings at Kent State, when National Guardsmen opened fire on student demonstrators protesting the U.S. invasion of Cambodia, killing four students and wounding nine others...a moment of silence.
The prevailing political climate doesn't seem to have changed much since then. There is still a culture of extreme partisanship, paranoia, and the categorical demonization of those who disagree with us. Politicians work not so much for the people as to gain political advantage over the opposition. Ill-informed and inflammatory rhetoric issues from all sides of any political debate, lately centered on Arizona's SB1070. Informed, civil, political discourse seems to have died sometime in the fifties. Initially peaceful demonstrations erupted in (largely unreported) senseless and irrational violence on Saturday, while illegal aliens continue to die in the desert along our border. A small event occurred here in Flagstaff while history repeats itself: inflamed by the media, a Latina acted out vicious racial hostility on me yesterday at the market. I elected to walk away while I could, without engaging. Bad precedent to set, but I just didn't want to fight yesterday, especially with an irrationally enraged person.
I'm devoutly hoping, on this day of remembrance, that we will learn from history in order that history not repeat itself. Another moment of silence...
That said, this is a small abstract mail art piece I worked up yesterday morning. It's titled, "Sunrise, Inner Gorge," representing a dawn view of the Colorado River, from the peaceful depths of the Grand Canyon.
Destined for my friend in Greece, Katerina, it's made with Golden acrylic paint on untreated 300 lb. watercolor paper, overlaid with a wash of quinaquidrone nickel azo gold. Kris has asked me to paint another one, but much larger, to hang in the house, so yesterday's shopping trip included a stop at the artist supply to buy a big canvas and a large supply of Golden's Titan Buff, which is, I think, maybe, the source of the translucent light I'm seeing. Upon lightening the value of my palette, the Muse hollered, "Titanium white?! For Pete's sake, no! Titan buff, titan buff!" Yes, ma'am, says I...I think the magic worked.
Let me leave you today with these words from Desiderata:
"Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
"Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
"If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
"Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But don't distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
"Therefore, be at peace with the Divine, whatever you conceive that to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."
Blessed be, blog friends.
Thanks for visiting; come again soon!
Sharon, your colorado river thru the canyon is beautiful and powerful! Please share the larger piece when you're ready!!
And thank you for posting Desiderata! It has been years since I've read/listened to it, and it has a very different--expanded--message for me today. Much more than what I received from it many years ago.
Posted by: Barbara Hagerty | 05/04/2010 at 05:22 PM
Oh,Barbara! I don't know why, but I'm crying here, reading what you just wrote. Full, poignant, grateful, happy tears...Thank you so much! Desiderata was the Muse's idea. As I was proofreading my little political statement, she kept whispering, "Go placidly amid the noise and haste...Go placidly amid the noise and haste..." and it just felt right to wrap up with it. Like you, I hadn't read it years, either, and found it to hold much deeper meaning than it did in the early seventies. Maybe we're deeper people, with a lifetime of experience in between readings. Thank you for kudos on the Inner Gorge! Thanks for visiting, and thanks for your comments! You're awesome!
Posted by: sharon | 05/04/2010 at 05:52 PM
Yes, what tremendous power and beauty in your words, your painting, and of course the Desiderata. Thank you so much for sharing this. I have been quite stired up discussing said legislation and I am grateful for what you've shared.
Posted by: Vanessa | 05/04/2010 at 06:11 PM
Oh, Vanessa, thank you! I guess we all needed to hear it again...words of quiet wisdom from the depth of our inner canyon. Okay, I'm starting to tear up again! Thanks so much for visiting, and leaving you mark here in my little corner of the world. I think of you often. Hugs.
Posted by: sharon | 05/04/2010 at 06:39 PM
I love your painting of the canyon!! "They too have their story" and "many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness" particularly struck a chord as I read the text of the Desiderata after reading your account of what happened to you in the store. It seems that nowadays people operate much too often from a place of fear... it's very saddening to think that this outlook is becoming the norm in our society rather than the exception.
Posted by: Jennifer | 05/11/2010 at 07:31 PM
Thank you Jennifer. I'm almost finished with the large scale version of the canyon picture, and can't wait to post it! While I was writing the incident at the market the Muse kept whispering "go placidly amid the noise and haste...go placidly amid the noise and haste..." I took the hint and posted the Desiderata. It seems like alot of us needed to read it again...I agree, it is long since time we were again able to engage in informed, rational political discourse.
Posted by: sharon | 05/12/2010 at 07:22 AM