Thursday, August 28, 2008

Remembering the March on Washington

Tonight, August 28, is the 45th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington. I had been a college activist in the civil rights movement and had participated in two previous marches while I was in college: the children's march and the prayer pilgrimage, both spearheaded by peace activist Bayard Rustin. I was, by 1963, expecting my first child and working for the International Union of Electrical Workers. Because we were bringing in close to a thousand union marchers, my overprotective boss, Jim Carey, stationed me on the Ellipse, near the White House, to handle IUE logistics. He told me not to go to the mall. He was worried about police overreaction and the police were edgy about civil rights violence. I was so eager to get to the "action" however that I did manage to slowly work my way to the reflecting pool. There I witnessed the most wonderful collection of people of every race, dressed for an outing (no jeans and tee shirts), union people, church leaders, doctors, lawyers, legislators--all demanding long denied justice and rights for African American citizens. The singing and the speeches, especially Dr. King's will live with me forever. It was the most loving, peaceful demonstration that had ever been seen.

Today as I consider the nomination of Barack Obama I think with such joy how I have waited for this opportunity to see us overcome the prejudices of the past. We can seize this unique moment in history to create a better nation, indivisible, with justice for all. Will we do it? Yes we can.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Why I Love Scuba

Some readers have asked: "Why do you like to scuba?" So I've given some thought to it. The initial moment of descent is not comfortable (like all efforts before you acquire absolute skill). You must stop, equalize pressure, continue down into the unknown. But once you have equalized and go off, flippers moving efficiently, breathing slow and measured, you feel a new person. And the things you see! In the Caribbean you see coral formations in colors that are never revealed once these chunks are washed on shore. Schools of fish fold in and out like shifting streams of silk. Then there's always the thrill of possibly seeing the big one, as I did when snorkeling --a beautiful, submarine-like Barracuda, veering off just below me, sleek and sure. It was snorkeling that made me yearn for more. And now I just want to improve my skills and dive for as long as I can. Diving is not unlike my experience at printmaking. You think you know where you want to go but the lines in the etching reveal new paths and you have to be ready to take them.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

www.hugerbites.org

The Central Pennsylvania foodbank sent me their newsletter which focuses on the growing number of children in central PA who don't have enough to eat. Among their findings is that:
1 in 8 Americans are food insecure; meaning their access to enough food is limited by a lack of money and other resources.

Increases in the price of heating oil, gasoline and rents have resulted in record numbers of individuals and families seeking food assistance during the last year.

Hunger is on the rise in Pennsylvania. Nearly 1.2 million Pennsylvanians, almost 10% of our population, live in households at risk for hunger. That’s enough people to fill Penn State University’s football stadium nearly 12 times.

18% of Pennsylvania children live in poverty.
46% of PA adults requesting food assistance are employed.
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When people ask me why I have a Barack Obama bumper sticker on my car I can point to these facts plus the tens of thousands in PA with no or inadequate health insurance. We must take better care of each other.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Critical Thinking

Business says it wants workers capable of "critical thinking", adults who think "outside the box." But television, radio, and even newspapers daily provide information that is inflammatory and unsourced. Even though the internet offers sites where people can read contrary and well-researched information, these are deemed "wonky", too issue driven. How do we get our children and their parents to take the time and effort to go beyond the scare headlines? The future of our democracy depends on it.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Important Legislation for Artists and Crafts People

It's not unusual to be asked to contribute artwork or craft to nonprofit organizations for fundraising benefits. Many artists do it quite regularly. Right now the only thing you can deduct from your income tax is the cost of the materials you used for making the work. But a bill in Congress could more fairly compensate artists. H.R.1524 would allow artists to take a fair-market value deduction for works given to and retained by nonprofit institutions. The U.S. tax system now accords unequal treatment to collectors who donate to museums, nonprofits or libraries. It allows them full market value of the work. So if you've ever asked an artist to contribute something to an auction benefit, please call your member of Congress to support this legislation.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Teaching Grandsons Poker

In our family Thanksgiving is always the time for a family poker game. It's been this way for as long as I can remember. When my dear mother was not completely "there", she came to one Thanksgiving dinner and when the poker chips came out, sat down and with the skill of an old time dealer was able to win almost every pot. So naturally, as Thanksgiving is not too far away, I wanted to prepare my grandsons for their first family poker game (penny and two is our usual game). Ages 7 and 9, I thought they would have a hard time learning. I prepared a list of winning hands and began. I had to explain some poker etiquette, like it's not nice to stick your tongue out at the loser. But after that, they proceeded apace. Of course they have spent this visit absolutely killing us. In five card stud they draw full houses, four aces, straights, etc. etc. Luckily we've been playing with poker chips so no one is poorer. I guess it's not right for grandma to plan a career in poker for her grandsons. But it sure is tempting. With luck like that they could afford to go to MIT. Oops, I guess there was a movie about that!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Don't Let Facts Get in the Way

I have just returned from a trip to my favorite health food store where I overheard and was drawn into a conversation about Obama. The two women told me without a doubt that Obama was a Muslim, that he wouldn't salute the flag and several other such items. No amount of evidence to the contrary that I produced for them would satisfy. They warned he would make us all drink poisoned Kool Aid or some other such stuff. I don't know what to think about this. I gave them the name of several websites with journalists debunking these rumors (the AFL-CIO has one) but I could see they were unmoved. The conservative radio here is spreading these rumors, I've heard them. I've also seen publications that are the same. I know we've always had very bitter political campaigns and Jefferson, Hamilton and others all engaged in mud slinging. I would think that was one gift from the founding fathers that we could give up.

South Central PA Gardeners

While reading other bloggers from my region I note that a strong link between us is gardening and craft. I'm also a gardener and draw on it as an inspiration for color, form and content in my art work. See the photo of this year's Chinese Peony and my relief print. As with others I'm overwhelmed with cucumbers this year and plum tomatoes. No problem with the tomatoes, just make tomato sauce. But how many pickles can you eat over a year. I guess my friends will be getting home made pickles for Christmas and Chanukah.

Thinking About Campaign Coverage

Television media in particular spend an inordinate amount of time chasing down every little slip of the tongue of each of the candidates. This creates stories that go on for a week: “Candidate A said so-and-so”, What do you think of that statement? Will it disaffect the white vote? The Black vote? And now, the green vote? The Sunday talk shows mull over the meaning. The pundits representing each candidate or party stroke their beards and behave as if this was an important distinction.

Has there ever been a time when such fine parsing of words dominated the airwaves and even print media? In the words of former Presidential candidate Walter Mondale: “Where’s the beef?” We have watched TV presentations of candidate speeches with long discussions on the one slip or the one provocative comment. But less than one minute spent on the content of the candidates’ proposals. The American people must get energetic about reading the content of these proposals on the candidates’ web sites. They must look at some non-affiliated websites to get solid information. Since south central Pennsylvania is so tax averse, I thought I would list some tax watch dog organizations that explore the issues of fair taxation and monitor government spending.

http://www.nationalpriorities.org/ It has links to these other organizations and more.
http://www.cbpp.org/
http://www.fairtaxes4all.org/
http://www.ombwatch.org/

Monday, August 4, 2008

Loss and Regret

I just learned this morning that my former partner Susan Hager, 63, died suddenly at her home. She had been quite ill some years ago and had a kidney transplant donated by her assistant! If you want to read more about Susan's wonderful career look up: HagerSharp, Washington, DC. We have, within recent years, suffered what seems to be a growing number of untimely deaths among my cohort (people in their sixties) and it makes me regret every hour lost, every book unread, every concert missed, and most of all every friend not seen for a long time. The internet at once links us one to another, as I had always hoped. But it also cheapens the quality of the communication and lessens its emotional and intellectual content. My husband and I just watched all of the John Adams series produced by HBO. I also recently finished the Ron Chernow biography of Alexander Hamilton. One has to be struck by the ability of these correspondents to be literary, thoughtful, clever and prolific. All with a steel tipped quill!

Sunday, August 3, 2008

When a Teacher Becomes a Student

Master woodcut printer Keiji Shinohara learns a new craft to get the student's perspective on learning. One of the Penland stories from a Mint Museum on line exhibition.
http://www.mintmuseum.org/penland/stories/vid_popup.php?id=05a&scroll=68

Teaching to the Test

What do we lose when schools teach to the test? Aside from the obvious loss of meaning and debasement of content, we lose the chance to tap into the joys and engagement of experiential learning.

In the past I learned that from attending The Penland School of Crafts and absorbing printmaking techniques from the students around me. How did I learn printmaking there? I learned by failure, success, stumbling, and striving, and often by frustration.

Sometimes activities, like scuba diving, seem so technical at first that it seems impossible to achieve the required skill. Even after I had my scuba certification I had my difficulties. But as one of my diving buddies told me, "Getting your certification is just a license to learn."

Why can't we see that our children need a "license to learn".