It is so hard for me to wrap my head around situations where people have such strong opinions and make comments and sneer and jeer and do their very best to invalidate the words and images that are chosen, written, or highlighted by people who KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. Instead of deciding to stop and think and LISTEN, people just want to invalidate things they dont understand. Why? The ArtPrize Jurors Short List is being derailed with ridiculous comments by people (SO MANY PEOPLE) who probably have not studied art since 7th grade, but for some reason, want to talk about what a load of garbage it is rather than stop to consider why professionals who DEDICATE THEIR LIVES to art and culture and communication chose what they chose. These people chose what they chose for a reason, and its an INFORMED and EDUCATED reason. So maybe you should consider what they have to say. You may still not like the visual appeal of an image but maybe you will have an increased perspective on why the work was chosen - likely for what it communicates in our culture today, not because the composition is solid or the colors look good (I am SO sorry Sarah Scott. Just wow.) My white friends read articles about appropriation written by a black woman who has a PHD in American and Cultural Studies and they call her a reverse-racist instead of recognizing her EXTREME INTELLIGENCE on the issue and stopping to consider that she is trying to educate others on the topic. Yes, we are all allowed to have opinions. But if your opinion is formed from a singular experience or limited perspective (in particular a perspective that is not educated or informed on said topic), and someone who KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT is sharing THEIR perspective, its good and healthy and RESPECTFUL and moral and just plain obvious that its time to listen. This is my call to everyone reading this (and my reminder to myself) to LISTEN. To stop and CONSIDER that other peoples perspectives and opinions are valuable and valid, and to try and learn from people who have knowledge and/or experience on a topic. And in the end if I disagree in some way, I will communicate that RESPECTFULLY and with grace. Come on people. Have some respect and some humility for cryin out loud.
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 00:24:08 +0000
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