Friday, October 1, 2010

Inspiration Avenue Weekly Challenge: uncalled for

Another thought provoking challenge, this week's theme is "uncalled for." I was watching the news (something I very, very seldom do) and saw two local politicians duking it out in words and actions, while thousands watched on TV and hundreds watched in person. Then I saw a national segment in which a boy committed suicide because he had been outed as gay when some "friends" posted a private video on one of the social network sites.

This may not be what Priti.Lisa (or just Lisa to her friends) had in mind when she threw down the gauntlet for this week's Inspiration Avenue Challenge, but as I watched these two disparate acts, both brought on by small minded people, I thought about bigotry, prejudice, racism, homophobia, ignorance, bias, and the resulting emotion they all stem from: hate. I discovered there are now 288 documented supremacist groups listed in the US, plus all the individuals, like the kids who posted the You-tube video, and the politicians who are supposed to set good examples, all of whom are willing and eager to spread hate. Although I would hope to see hate eliminated in my lifetime, I know it won't happen, as long as people say and do things that are uncalled for.

If we can't eliminate it, lets at least draw a line through it. Let's tell everyone these words and actions are never appropriate, no matter what setting they are in.

I started with a background I created quite awhile back and added the grosgrain ribbon with my hand written words using a black Sharpie. Sorry about cropping the scan a bit too much on the left side. It also appears my glue bled through on my ribbon. So much for UHU twist and glue! Click to enlarge.


Today's blog belongs to Lisa at Priti Studio. Lisa draws some beautiful and expressive faces. She turns those paintings into stunning mixed media art. She is in the process of creating a Tarot card deck that is gorgeous. Even though Tarot cards are not something I have ever gotten into, the lovely ladies she draws to represent the characters will make you smile. But faces aren't all she makes. She'll dabble in just about anything, and I fell in love with a broken goblet she encased in concrete. Please say hi to Lisa today and thank her for this challenge, too.

21 thoughtful remarks:

Healing Woman said...

I really am glad you addressed the horrendous incident of the two young people, probably "friends" on Facebook or another network, who made and posted the video of the gay man. HOW CRUEL! When I saw this last night on the news, I was so very angry. I am not sure it was hate though, as you suggested,although hate may have entered into it, but more sensationalism that they were looking for. I have noticed that posting on the social networks seems ENCOURAGE people to go one step further, post anything that will get them ATTENTION. It is the attention that these students were looking for...Well..they got it.

Your hate piece is striking and the subject needs to be discussed.

Thanks so much Elizabeth

Best,
Cheryl

Julia Dunnit said...

Very striking piece Elizabeth - love thebackground - makes the letters so pronounced. I can't agree with you more. Am delighted to report that I think (as a crass generalisation) that my daughter's generation are far, far better at the tolerance and acceptance; hate is usually born of fear and misunderstanding and it is noticeable to me how much less used even the word is. But I do have some trivial and petty hates that will not change.I blame my age. We share the biggest - panty hose!!

Dianne said...

very strong statement, one that cannot be misinterpreted, and expressed through color as well as words. The dark background contrasted by the pink sharp-edged word is extremely effective. I just wish the people who really need to see it would actually "get it." thank you for this post. I think 'Apathy' is another attitude that is never appropriate!

Shelinwa said...

Hey you
OH WOW I have been here before added as a follower now yeaah!!!
Love your entry too btw
Shel

Lynn Cohen said...

Great reaction art to this horrible crime!
To seek attention by demorializing another human being shows a very immature and disturbed mind if you ask me. Who taught those kids that it was okay to taunt someone else? Who didn't teach them to respect his privacy? Who taught them to be homophobic? Mean spirited? Cruel? Shame on all of them! It breaks my heart. I hope they do get a stiff punishment for this crime so others will know they can't keep getting away with it.

Terri Kahrs said...

What a powerful piece you've created, Elizabeth! I think your Muse was waiting to send a message. Many blessings & much love, Terri xoxox

PS Thanks for your sweet, generous offer of help with my laundry! Your kind offer brightened my day more than you know!!!

Priti Lisa said...

Hi Elizabeth! This is exactly what I had in mind...it is more than a waste of energy to hate, it is a waste of the human spirit, which I believe is a spirit that links us all. Hate, fear and envy are all uncalled for aand dehumanizies us all.
Thank you for playing with us. Your art work is beautiful and strong :)
XoX

PS: Thanks for the shout out!

Caterina Giglio said...

great statement E, just love your stand, and love your blog pick of the day, she is cutie, and sweet and talented too! xx's

She Who Doodles said...

thanks, a great message.

Lori Saul said...

Your piece is beautiful in its power and symbolism and knock your socks off color use too! People are just so out there now with a lack of regard for privacy, speech and sensitivity. I am afraid that the internet and youtube and the likes have made it too easy for people to just put things out there without thinking of the repurcussions of their words or acts. The internet is an astonishing tool but as in all things it is abused by as you say the small minded, bigoted and ignorant. Thanks for sharing your important art and post!

donnalouiserodgers said...

if no one speaks of remarkable things? - the real crime is committed by each and every person who has tolerated the hate - people who commit the crime know no better and can be educated - the silent majority who understand the injustice of hate crimes and say nothing are more difficult to re - educate...they already know they should be defending and protecting minorities....not standing idly by

I'm back in the land of blog dear friend - thank you for your support last week,

Dx

jacqueline said...

Dearest Elizabeth, this is such a beautiful piece! I can't agree with you more. Have a lovely merry happy weekend and love to yoU!

Cindy McMath said...

Wow Elizabeth, this is fantastic. Your collage is awesome and I thank you for the post. You are drawing attention to a very important subject.

Cindy :)

artangel said...

This is a very powerful piece and I love the thought behind it.

I believe that most hate stems from fear, which at least allows some hope that we can help to overcome it by education, and setting examples of love and tolerance in our own lives and actions.

ooglebloops said...

I LOVE your take on "uncalled for" - very good!!!!

Bleubeard and the catnip gift are a hoot!

Maggie said...

Hate and cruelty and intolerance ~ if only we could eliminate them. It's wonderful to get the message out through art. I love this piece, I wish the appropriate people could see it!

Robin Norgren, M.A, R-YT, Spiritual Director said...

One of the reasons I turn to (dare I say CLING TO) art is because the world seems to be getting more and more thoughtless and inconsiderate of the other. When we get back to change STARTS with me and the notion of being the change I want to see in the world...well if nothing else, it is one person's way of crossing out hate! Very powerful piece my friend BRAVO!

Victoria said...

Fabulous..and awesome and powerful!!
Victoria~

gma said...

YES! Hatred is absolutely uncalled for.
Beautiful words and art.

Felicia Kramer said...

All I can say is "amen." Great post.

SewPaperPaint said...

Perfectly spoken.