Taking Scissors to the Arts

We understand the pitfalls of cutting corners, “The lazy man works twice as hard.” Then why do we continue to allow our politicians to make the same decisions while expecting different results?

“There’s never enough time to do it right, but there is always enough time to do it again”

Creatures of habit

We see what is in front of us now, the current and most pressing needs; however, we quickly forget long-term goals. This is a very common problem the poor often overlook. We see payday loans everywhere! Why? Because those too poor to pay their current obligations go to a payday loan to get their immediate needs met. The core issues lie with discipline, consequences and penalties. This post isn’t intended to call-out these failures, instead, the example goes to show that educated people are doing the same thing as it pertains to civic improvements.

Instead of planning for a great societies and powerful communities, we instead make way for more of the same, aka the status quo. Let someone else dream about the future.

“In the Latino culture we call that mañana, or tomorrow.”

Sure we can blame those liberals for wanting to make freeloaders of everyone, or we can blame republicans for advocating no taxes for anyone. Of course these are exaggerations; however, these examples are closer to reality, listen to the radio, tv and blogs, there aren’t enough hands to point all the fingers.

Instead of focusing on the most important matters of our time (unemployment, corruption, crime and hatred), our representatives would have you believe that Obama isn’t worthy of being president and that conservatives want to free the ultra-rich from taxation. Can we come back to reality here? In the end we all pull-up our pants in the same way. Can any of us say without fault, one of us is truly greater than the other? So why not pull together and solve some problems that truly matter?

“Probably because it will infer that what we are doing is somehow incorrect, and our society does not readily approve of humility.”

Community and neighborhood is the way. Look no further than Twitter and Facebook, see how they have affected change. People crave for collaboration and becoming part of something bigger than themselves. Isn’t this why communist nations suppress these concepts, we should know that suppression and oppression crushes the spirit. Dependance, permission, authority and omission produces power.

So why do our leaders want to cut the arts and education funding?

Again, isn’t it easy to take something away from a group that lacks the knowledge and understanding (speaking of all groups that are quick to defund programs)? It’s easy to cut these programs, just like it’s easy to cut things or promote things that people fear. We are creatures that are concerned for the “now” and for our interests; typically, we take care of us first. We reason, “…if the arts get cut, then at least MY taxes don’t go up” or “…I don’t have kids, this doesn’t affect me”. People of power know these things, divide and conquer. People have so many reasons not to care, leaders do not really care what these reasons are. They simple care that no one group would be organized enough to oppose their reason. It’s much easier to support an opposition position than to advocate. Opposition only requires binary, or simple agreement that something is faulty. Advocating requires synergy around similar motives and perceived value.

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Show me the money

While reading this, think about the last time you were charged a late fee, paid penalties, surcharges, set-up fees, convenience fees, etc. Get the idea? How much do these cost you? Chances are that if you did pay a fee, you might have shrugged it off. In researching this post, search for yourself, penalties on credit cards tallied over $20 billion in 2009. Why in the world would you shrug-off these penalties and whine about helping your community? Simple, extra fee here today, you care about you and your need, then you move on.

“Imagine the day, when we love our neighbor as much as ourselves.”

Dallas Politics

Lastly, there is a debate summary posted on Art&Seek which was held at the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, Texas where mayoral candidates discussed the arts, arts funding and arts re-districting. What is most amusing about the piece is how the mayoral candidates hailed the arts for helping to grow the tax base and its employment opportunities by attracting companies here. Additionally, these candidates, also mentioned how neighborhoods were key for civic improvement. Finally, how championing the arts was a way to engage young people and unite disconnected communities.

“A few of these candidates have proposed a 2-cent-hotel-motel-tax and/or dedicating downtown parking fees to cultural activities.”

Currently downtown Dallas is split between two council districts. It seems as though between the four featured mayoral candidates, Mike Rawlings and Edward Okpa are most vocal about advocating for the arts.

Conclusion

Sure, we can depend on our leaders to prioritize the issues for us; however, we have seen it over and over again… it’s politics as usual. As a community we need to come together for the arts, join me in starting an arts revolution by the people for the people. Participate in the discussion here, tell me what you think.