Excellent sentiments, Diana. When I was growing up in the 1960s, I saw the film about Odysseus starring Kirk Douglas and then read the book several years later. What struck me was the reliance on the Goddess of Hospitality to drive home several points: Strangers are to be received as welcomed guests no matter how poor, and they were obliged to treat their host(ess) with outstanding behavior. That tenet made a big impression on me as it came when I was exposed to the Broadway play and Film "South Pacific" and its very important message that one needed to be "carefully taught how to hate and fear." Learning how to combat such behavior and the detrimental socialization/enculturation that promotes it all is something that one often must learn for oneself in the West despite the examples I cited and many others. As we're seeing, the Global majority wants equity and equality from all and an end to what can be broadly termed hegemony and coercion. We must keep working to attain that status.
The election prospects are terrifying. Do the American people reward genocide or get the other who so many dread (me included)? Let's hope some things change for the better before the election.
Thank you for continuing the conversation here, Diana. I really appreciate your artwork and find it a kind of therapy in the midst of so much conflict in the world.
Thanks so much, Heidi. Doing the artwork is definitely a form of therapy for me, although I haven't had a chance to do much lately. All of these paintings are quite old, but I only now have the courage to share them. I've been very shy about my artwork, but now I'm getting over it, I guess.
You've made so many good points Diana. However, I kept going back to your earlier comment where - you said you avoid some people like the plague. They're no longer in your circle, and nor are they within your circle of influence. Weeding out people within our circles who aren't egalitarian might seem easier, but we've eliminated potential for change where it's most needed. Who will ever challenge their arrogance, self-centeredness, naivety, or ignorance? I grew up surrounded by all of these and I like to at least think that I've toned down some of these attitudes by asking the right questions or making the right comments.
People who respect others in spite of their faults, can end up being respected and therefore listened to. That's a complicated and risky concept, but then again, so is life.
Hi Mark, I appreciate what you're saying and, actually, once I wrote this I realized it was pretty black and white, and that there are exceptions.
I haven't so much weeded people out, but I eventually find we don't have enough common ground to have much of a relationship. Power dynamics as opposed to egalitarian relationships puts people on a very different wavelength.
However, I have friends who tell the odd untruth, and it's sometimes painful, but who are still in my life, and we can discuss these things when they happen. It's a caring and mutually beneficial relationship, bumps and all.
I actually edited the post, since it wasn't exactly accurate before. I agree that black and white perspectives are often dangerous and counterproductive.
When I discover that I have been lied to I feel angry. I feel that the liar is morally corrupt and cheap. I don't think the Israeli or the US leadership cares one whit if "the rest of us" believe their lies. They don't care much if what they do is right or wrong either. They care about making money and feeling powerful. We need a new system of governance. Voting those presently in power out only leaves more space for more money grubbing power hungry people. When we are bullied in our personal lives, we may be able to find help and support through friends family and therapy. When we are bullied by power, that help and support may be found in activism.
I like your artwork in this piece. Thanks for that.
All of our destructive behaviours, including bullying and domination of the Earth are learned from an early age. The sickest and weakest humans mimic others' worst behaviours, thinking such is success. What is learned can be unlearned.
But it will take time to learn cooperation, caring and compassion. We need to act and show this as success. To view this as success would be a victory for every species on Earth. It is success because we humans are no longer destroying the Earth; we are living in harmony with it.
Excellent sentiments, Diana. When I was growing up in the 1960s, I saw the film about Odysseus starring Kirk Douglas and then read the book several years later. What struck me was the reliance on the Goddess of Hospitality to drive home several points: Strangers are to be received as welcomed guests no matter how poor, and they were obliged to treat their host(ess) with outstanding behavior. That tenet made a big impression on me as it came when I was exposed to the Broadway play and Film "South Pacific" and its very important message that one needed to be "carefully taught how to hate and fear." Learning how to combat such behavior and the detrimental socialization/enculturation that promotes it all is something that one often must learn for oneself in the West despite the examples I cited and many others. As we're seeing, the Global majority wants equity and equality from all and an end to what can be broadly termed hegemony and coercion. We must keep working to attain that status.
I agree, Karl. I still haven't had time to watch South Pacific, but will one of these days...
What a lovely message about the Goddess of Hospitality!
Love your artwork illustrating this piece.
The US is in a bad, bad place. An election year. A fascist and genocide enabler. A Stephen King novel.
The election prospects are terrifying. Do the American people reward genocide or get the other who so many dread (me included)? Let's hope some things change for the better before the election.
Thank you so much for this piece Diana. Everyone should be treated with respect; even thier points of view. I enjoyed reading this 😊
Thank you for continuing the conversation here, Diana. I really appreciate your artwork and find it a kind of therapy in the midst of so much conflict in the world.
Thanks so much, Heidi. Doing the artwork is definitely a form of therapy for me, although I haven't had a chance to do much lately. All of these paintings are quite old, but I only now have the courage to share them. I've been very shy about my artwork, but now I'm getting over it, I guess.
Totally understandable!
You've made so many good points Diana. However, I kept going back to your earlier comment where - you said you avoid some people like the plague. They're no longer in your circle, and nor are they within your circle of influence. Weeding out people within our circles who aren't egalitarian might seem easier, but we've eliminated potential for change where it's most needed. Who will ever challenge their arrogance, self-centeredness, naivety, or ignorance? I grew up surrounded by all of these and I like to at least think that I've toned down some of these attitudes by asking the right questions or making the right comments.
People who respect others in spite of their faults, can end up being respected and therefore listened to. That's a complicated and risky concept, but then again, so is life.
Hi Mark, I appreciate what you're saying and, actually, once I wrote this I realized it was pretty black and white, and that there are exceptions.
I haven't so much weeded people out, but I eventually find we don't have enough common ground to have much of a relationship. Power dynamics as opposed to egalitarian relationships puts people on a very different wavelength.
However, I have friends who tell the odd untruth, and it's sometimes painful, but who are still in my life, and we can discuss these things when they happen. It's a caring and mutually beneficial relationship, bumps and all.
I'm glad to hear it. Black and white perspectives are so often dangerous and counterproductive.
I actually edited the post, since it wasn't exactly accurate before. I agree that black and white perspectives are often dangerous and counterproductive.
When I discover that I have been lied to I feel angry. I feel that the liar is morally corrupt and cheap. I don't think the Israeli or the US leadership cares one whit if "the rest of us" believe their lies. They don't care much if what they do is right or wrong either. They care about making money and feeling powerful. We need a new system of governance. Voting those presently in power out only leaves more space for more money grubbing power hungry people. When we are bullied in our personal lives, we may be able to find help and support through friends family and therapy. When we are bullied by power, that help and support may be found in activism.
I like your artwork in this piece. Thanks for that.
"Their sense of superiority includes the belief that they’re above the rest of us, and that we will believe their lies, no matter how outrageous."
It's not that they think we'll believe it. It's that they know we can't do anything about it.
All of our destructive behaviours, including bullying and domination of the Earth are learned from an early age. The sickest and weakest humans mimic others' worst behaviours, thinking such is success. What is learned can be unlearned.
But it will take time to learn cooperation, caring and compassion. We need to act and show this as success. To view this as success would be a victory for every species on Earth. It is success because we humans are no longer destroying the Earth; we are living in harmony with it.
Perfect!