So I got a Facebook page (long) - Democratic Underground

GoddessOfGuinness

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Mon Aug-24-09 01:29 PM
Original message

So I got a Facebook page (long)

Edited on Mon Aug-24-09 01:30 PM by GoddessOfGuinness

because I received a MoveOn letter requesting that people make their opinions on public healthcare option known to Hoyer on his page.

One thing led to another, and I started taking polls and responding to them. Well, a friend of mine was taken aback by my responses, and sent an email to me which included this:

I also realized that facebook could be another mechanism for reaching people about my paintings and of directing them to my blog where I write about art rather extensively.

So, I’m sorry but I’m deleting the link to your facebook page from mine. I have too many friends and relatives who supported President Bush and who are Christians (as am I) and I would be horrified to have my family encountering all this political anger. Got to say that I was surprised myself to find you expressing such adamantine views in such a public forum. I wouldn’t post anything on the internet that I wouldn’t as gladly have affixed to my resume.

In my writing about art, I am trying to reach out to a very broad audience of people that I must naturally assume believe many different things. Since art is my topic, I leave them all to enjoy their other ideas in perfect peace. And in so doing, I think I tacitly respect the diversity that I know is out there. My own personal philosophy, perhaps like theirs, consists of many strands – having sources in innumerable books, experiences and conversations. I doubt that anyone on the planet sees the political landscape in exactly the same way I do. Were I trying to reach people with my art who are somehow exactly like me, I’d be writing to maybe two or three people. And what would be the point of that?

Art is something that can reach millions of people. Republicans, Democrats, and all the other political groups of whatever stripe, have common ground in things like art, music and literature. Anyone can enjoy a vase of flowers, the intricate melodies of J.S. Bach, the exotic stories of Mario Vargas Llosa. So, me, I don’t express any political views at all in my art writing. It is none of my concern nor any of my business who my readers voted for or what kind of government they desire. In any case, the election of any American president lasts eight years at most. In contrast, art can change people generation after generation by speaking to their deepest longings as human beings.

So, I deleted the link. I’m very sorry to have to do so. And while it’s unlikely that my dear elderly aunt would find my facebook page, I would be horrified if she did -- to think of her reading your comment about Bush’s illegitimate presidency, when she was his ardent supporter and is now a very dedicated supporter of Governor Palin. My aunt is one of the kindest, most selfless people I have ever known, having opened her home to I don’t know how many strangers because she felt that God called her to share her roof, through the agency of her church, with numerous strangers who needed temporary lodging.

I also think it’s an awful shame, (GoddessOfGuinness). You know so much about music in general and the violin in particular. Through facebook you can meet countless fellow musicians. It would be a pity to reduce friendship to political tags and miss the experiences of knowing other talented people simply because they voted differently.

The photo you used, too, I must say is so incredibly lovely. Have you any idea how beautiful you look in that photo? It’s rather the opposite of the comments. I look at that picture and feel like I can almost hear the music.

Hope your family is well. It’s hard to believe that so many years have passed since our kids were kindergarteners.

You should check out (jazz violinist on youtube). There’s a growing body of work on the internet now for her – especially, of course, on youtube. You more than I can understand the beauty of her virtuosity. (link to violinist's video)

Best wishes,

Then she sent another email with a "better link" to this musician she wants me to hear. So I'm baffled. I'm under the impression that she wants to remain friends as long as I don't express my "nasty" political beliefs.

I wrote the following, but have not yet sent it, as I want to be sure I'm clear-minded when I respond:

Dear ______,

So sorry that you took personal offense at my political opinions. After eight years of enduring rule by a man and a party who expressed contempt and total disregard for the values of my party as well as myself, a man who was placed in office as a result of a Supreme Court decision rather than an election, and whose party played such a pivotal role in the financial debacle we now face, not to mention the deaths of thousands of innocent people, I suppose I do sound a little bitter.

There was a time when I felt, as you seem to, that it's best to keep silent about such matters, so as not to offend anyone, and have a constant circle of people who approve of me and like what I do. It's a very safe position to take, and probably helps a musician find more employment, to be sure. But I can't stand by and watch people scoff at the global warming which is destroying our environment, and listen to them speak hatefully of people of different religions, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds.

My music is for everyone. It doesn't mean I'm not entitled to voice my opinions like everybody else. I'm sorry if your aunt, whom I'm sure is a well-intentioned soul, would be horrified that someone else might have a different opinion of her political idols, and that you might be as accepting of that person's views as you are of anyone else's. I feel that isn't my problem; but I respect your desire to shield her from such a frightening prospect. I will not, however eliminate your link. I feel diverse opinions require expression, and welcome any intelligent discourse, though I am admittedly impatient with those who are not prepared to offer facts to support their positions. It's a shame you don't feel the same way.

You would do well to consider that Shostakovich, Picasso, Dickens, Alcott, Robeson, Ibsen, Guthrie, Stowe, and countless other artists of various media have used their art to express their socio-political views. Art is not always about painting a pretty picture or giving people a pleasant tune. Art must be free to convey the gamut of emotions, including the ones that make us uncomfortable.

I only joined facebook to post on my representative's page about the need for a public healthcare option, which ultimately would help reduce the population of homeless shelters...at least for those who lose everything as a result of hospitalization and inadequate or nonexistent insurance. I hadn't really thought of using it for career purposes.

I wish you well in your endeavors, and hope that one day you will include people with different political and religious views into your circle of friends without fear. The door is always open.

Until then, peace,

So tell me, do you believe this is too reactionary a response?
Your replies are greatly appreciated, as is your patience in reading this through. :-)
(I posted this in the Lounge originally; but had requests to post it here, so......)