M Y O P I N I O N — I really try to keep my blog about my collections and my art and their place in the world, and rarely delve into the political aspect of it all. I have political activist blogs I read and comment on daily for that. This New York Times Op-Ed by Frank Rich though, has SO much in it that's relevant to everything I hold dear—art, censorship, the AIDS pandemic, this country's right-wing wackos and Fox News that supports them, etc—that I thought I'd link to it. Rich is really cooking in this piece, and relates the millions of thoughts that go through my head on a daily basis, in just a short column of words. The fact I met one of the artists before he died, Keith Haring, makes this article a bit personal to me, but you don't have to have known him, or any other person he mentions to find the truth in what Rich writes.
Frank Rich Op-Ed, The New York Times, Sunday Dec 12, 2010, "Gay Bashing at the Smithsonian" :
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That was a very well done article by Frank Rich. Somebody has to bring these events into the light, something is going on in our Nation's Capitol and it's moving quietly like smoke trailing from the backrooms and down the halls of Congress.
ReplyDeleteI think I am going to end up being thought of as a `Oliver Stone-like wacko` before I vanish into dust. But there is something afoot and I don't think I like it one bit.
Every time someone with an ounce of credibility like Frank Rich writes something like this it should be passed along - it sure as heck isn't making the national news.
After 9/11 America went into this FEAR mode and it has been cultivated and promoted by a whole bunch of people in power. And I think this event caused an opening in the skin of Americans that is allowing "certain" politicians to let other old fears fester and grow there.
Thanks, Casey, you keep a good balance on your blog and no one should be upset by an occasional social statement by you.
Casey, this really goes back to what we were talking about last week. Until the generation harboring these feelings die off, nothing will really change. At least the generations following us are more enlightened. It took several generations for black Americans and women to gain their civil rights, I suspect we can expect the same for gay rights. I wish the pace would quicken, but NOTHING happens quickly in Washington anymore.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with Annie, keep the social statements coming.
Thanks. I really do try to strike a balance, even when all I can think about are the injustices in this country.
ReplyDeleteGood point, PX, a lot of it is generational, but you have Tony Perkins, the vile head of the hate group, Family Research Council, and he's 6 years YOUNGER than I am. And you have Annie, who's a few months older than I am who's on the right side of history. : )
I don't really know the answer, but I know we have to keep asking the questions and calling out bigotry and hate when we see it.
Plus, there is a LOT to be said about the fear in this country after 9/11. It shows up in all sorts of ways. In a lighter, non serious way, it showed up in car design, to relate it back to a favorite topic here. Cars that have come out since about 2004, the lead time necessary after 9/11/01, car windows have gotten smaller, bodysides have gotten taller, cars look much more "armored" now than they did before that. I really think it's about the feeling of cocooning the occupants now, even though it's entirely psychological. I haven't really read any other writers making this comparison, but I really think it's true.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the cars to a point - but beltlines also follow a cyclical trend. I'll use one of your favorites, the 70-71 Imperial, as an example. Very high beltlines on those cars.
ReplyDeleteSocial change is like turning around and ocean liner at sea, it's never easy and SLOW. At least we can see the changes happening in our lifetimes - the fact that gay marriage and partners benefits and the like even exist at all is a giant leap forward. These things were unheard of of when we were growing up. I understand your impatience, but the MOST important thing is that most people have recognized the fact that gay people deserve the same rights as everyone else, and there is dialogue out there supporting it. We have come a long way in the last 40 years. Imagine what it will be like in another 40.
in another forty I'll be 93. OMFG! : )
ReplyDeleteAnd I will be 93 plus a couple of months!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd still the same great guy - quit your bitchin ! Your not the only only getting older, lol!
ReplyDeleteOh X, your name was brought up under Antique Fire Apparatus, I can't understand why. lol
ReplyDeleteAnnie, must have been referring to my fire hose, lol!
ReplyDeleteOMG.........rofl..........
ReplyDeleteditto, ROFL !
ReplyDeleteSince we read one of the same blogs, Casey, it's no surprise to see you link to Rich's column. It really is right on target and extraordinary.
ReplyDeleteI have to say my own blog, which is full of many more political rants than yours, really helps me to clarify my own thoughts, and helps my general wellbeing by letting me get stuff off my chest.
You're an excellent writer. I enjoy seeing the nostalgic collection stuff but I love reading your life experiences and the opinions they generate, so don't censor yourself!
GOOD NIGHT CASEY GOOD NIGHT
ReplyDeleteGRANNY
thank you, ish, I really appreciate your comment! there will definitely be more posts that are personal in nature coming up.
ReplyDeleteps: I really try not to censor myself here, but because of my fake cars, and their audience of younger people from Motor Trend, CarSpyShots and other car sites, I try to not get too serious or militant, as I could so easily go, lol. I don't want the younger crew that come for my cars to feel awkward about clicking on the site. If I ever get more time, I might spin the cars off with their own blog.
ReplyDeleteCasey, thank you for posting this - I think it needs to be seen. I get so frustrated with all of Washington -- I'm not used to being this angry and I try to keep it under control most of the time. Fortunately I work in an environment where my colleagues and I can vent to each other -- yes, we're preaching to the choir but at least there's a choir to preach to.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll be 102 in 40 years! I don't want to wait that long!
Paul, NYC
P.S. -- As to turning off the younger crowd that follows your chops, I think it can only help for them to see that not all car enthusiasts are exactly like them, but that we are everywhere and in all walks of life. They say people's minds change when they get to know gay people so let's be known!
Casey - listen to Paul - I agree with him 100% !
ReplyDelete