So I got a facebook page...(long)

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... :hi:

Far better than Sensitive Artist deserved.

Edit: brainfart on wording

I'm not sure if she's really arrogant; but she does seem to prefer keeping her head in the sand.

Real artists are true to themselves and don't try to pander to a one-size-fits-all mentality in pursuit of the almighty dollar.

And if she thinks presidents only affect things for eight years, she needs to get out more.

EDIT: I also liked your response to her.

Several of her paintings are nice. Just nice. For her, art is creating something pleasant to look at.

I don't knock that. Everybody enjoys looking at pretty things. Still, I appreciate beauty more deeply when it's presented by artists who don't back away from pain.

Thanks for your kind reply. :hi:

I think you phrased it better than I did. On a basic technical level, she seems like an artist with some knowledge of the craft, but on a personal/introspective level, it doesn't seem like there's much there.

:hi:

Maybe for her, art is a place to escape.

For me, it's also a place to confront.

Your response was a lot kinder than mine would have been! Is she protecting all her FB friends from your political opinions? I don't even begin to understand that!

:yourock:

It seems a little odd since she said, "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."

I'd say that was pretty hypocritical...

She should be embarrassed but I get the feeling that isn't the case, nor would it be even if she realized her hypocrisy.

PM me for my FB link name ;)

:loveya: GoG!

:hug:

I really like this line:

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.

The 2000 Selection made a different person of me.

Is that what that brown still life was all about? :rofl:

And quite frankly -and I'm trying to be tactful here -your friend has major issues if she wants to un-friend you over something like this. Her style and tone of writing in this letter is both rude and arrogant, as if she somehow feels herself morally superior to you when really she sounds like an inferior, insecure, prissy, petty little person. She seems to think she is an intellectual but she actually sounds quite shallow. She almost sounds like Barbara Bush with her "beautiful mind" commentsd a few years ago.

Anyway it is not as if, by clicking on her Facebook profile, her poor old aunty :eyes: or anyone else would be exposed to your political views. They'd have to actually click on your profile (in which case they wouldn't be able to see your comments and polling history unless they're your friend) or, if you added a pro or anti-Bush comment on your status update, they could see it when they looked through her list of Friends. If her friends are so delicate that they will melt over a status update, I don't even know what to say

Your reply to her was far more tactful, more diplomatic and more dignified than I would have been able to muster:thumbsup:

on me keeping silent. Too bad. I've been there and done that.

Thanks for your support! :hug:

articles about health care, etc, clearly stating my views on the subject. I got a similar response
from one friend, although she wasn't quite as condescending as your friend, but clearly wanted
me to know she was 'conservative' and also not interested in carrying on a discussion about health care.
Another friend, a professed 'teabagger' does post judgmental comments on my wall (despite trying to exclude him from that) and I regularly delete them. I really try to take advantage of FB to disseminate
factual information.

FB does have, by and large, a right wing membership.

That said, I think you are quite polite and appropriate in what you've written.

Yes, there are definitely a number of fundy-whacko types.

Seems to me that if she didn't like my views, she could simply not comment on them. But I guess she, like most thugs, is only interested in silencing those who differ with her.

I appreciate your support! :hug:

I'm sorry your friend was not as gracious.

:hug:

send the email.

:)

aA
kesha

:hug:

I'll probably give it until this evening before I send it. I'm still a little rankled. :hi:

Why don't you wait another 24 hours and judge your letter then? You'll be better able to judge it with a little more time.

Thanks! :hi:

I especially like these two sections:

"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."

and

"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."

that she wouldn't have thought about the great painters who were outspoken in their views, and let it be known through their art. Maybe she's more of a Thomas Kincade artist than I realized.

Don't you know that you should just appreciate art, sit down, and just shut up?? :eyes:

You might offend her poor aunt!! :eyes:

Never heard of the Adamantines...

I'm ashamed but I admit it.

:rofl:

:rofl:

There are poor, helpless, Sarah Palin supporting aunts out there. How dare you introduce reality to their lives???

That was a really outstanding rebuttal, GOG. :thumbsup:

for your kind response! :hug:

PM me your facebook name if you want, i can add you!!!

:hi: :hug:

Would love to add you to my list of friends!

and your "friend" is a control freak with a lovely streak of "I Need To Punish You For Your Own Good."

Deliver us all from Professional Christians.

Anyway, I would change one thing in the first paragraph - instead of "financial ruin," I would make it "economic and financial ruin," which is more accurate and more inclusive.

And, after this sentence: Art must be free to convey the gamut of emotions, including the ones that make us uncomfortable. - I would add a sentence like, "It is incumbent among artists to be tolerant and curious about the beliefs of others, because without that, our growth is stunted."

In short, remind her that she's only seeing as far as the end of her nose.

Otherwise, a truly great and remarkably restrained response. Mine would have been only three words.....................

These are great suggestions!

I'm glad I waited to send it off. :hug:

That sums it up most perfectly.

but I always thought a prat was the same thing as a prig. I learned an important vocabulary lesson today! :rofl:

there is a lot of wing-nuttery in the world. when i first joined FB, i left my political and religious views blank. it's a social network, whatever that means - and i was just connecting with fam and friends. over a period of time, it was revealed on FB that i have some far-right palin supportin' ("also too, in what respect Charlie?") friends (friends kind of like the saintly aunty described above by your friend - where you just scratch your head and wonder why they are repubs?) that haven't any qualms spouting their political views on a social network. so i went ahead and changed up my political and religious views to reflect what i believe.

and apparently my birther friends talk about me behind my back. "did you send that email to shugah? she needs to know!" but no one sends me that email, because they know i will de-fucking-bunk it... and they really don't want to be debunked, do they? kudos to you GoddessOfGuinness, for debunking them where they didn't expect it!

if you PM me your facebook ID, i'd be happy and proud to be your facebook friend :-)

Look forward to seeing you there! :-)

I thought you expressed yourself in a very straightforward but completely non-aggressive fashion. I would be pretty proud of myself if I responded to her message in that fashion. Very nice work. Shoot, it makes me wish I knew you in real life so that I could friend you on Facebook!!

Check your inbox. :D

Your response was OK with me, and you were just pointing out the obvious.

Her tone sounds almost passive-aggressive...never actually admitting to being a republican, and hiding behind conservative relatives to justify her exclusion of me.

shut up or I won't be your friend on FB anymore.

Mind you this is the brother who kept sending me right-wing asshat emails for 8 years, but he can't stand to see anything liberal on *MY* FB page.

I guess Mom & Dad being dead kinda put a damper on the old "I'm gonna tell" stuff he used to pull on me, huh.

So I told him, Nope, not going to shut up. If you don't like it, there is a "hide" option. Or you can defriend me. Either one. I don't care.

He's still my FB friend. :eyes:

dg

It's sad when politics splits families. :hug:

Mr "I'm never posting on your FB page again" just posted last night. :rofl:

dg

Goddess, I suggest you post this to GD so it can get the recs it desrves.

I respect the tone your friend took in the conversation about your art and the existence of politics and ideology in relation to it, but your response is stunning and on the nose.

Some people may turn to art for pleasure alone, but such a decision is the viewer's to make. Should you choose to use your art or any public forum to push for social reforms or political views you espouse, you hold every right to do so. Viewers can watch, turn away, or express whatever emotions they wish. As an artist, you put it out there and remain open to the recourse.

I beg you, repost this in a forum that allows recommendations.

:hug:

I will... :hug:

Unless you are posting your political beliefs to her wall (which she can delete) or she comments on your status updates, etc. then none of her friends should be able to see your posts (unless, of course, they are also friends with you). She seems to be trying to use that as an excuse to cut off friendship, except that then she seems to want stay in touch. So, as I said, I'm confused by her remarks.

Unless her friends go exploring her friends' pages, nobody would be aware of my political/religious leanings. And if they did, who cares?

It's like she wants to be my friend as long as I don't talk politics with her. That wouldn't bother me if she just said so; but she seems to be suggesting that I should not express my feelings at all.

Weird.

I would send the letter you wrote.

I can't think of a better way to say it.



:pals: :yourock:


Also, your political views (and wonderful knowledge of art and music) will be happily welcomed on my FB pages, such as they are! I have only found a few libertarian and non-humanistic views to rile me a bit among some of my friend's pages, but I will gladlly debate them as long as they are civil. It takes all kinds to make up a world, but I disagree with your friend strongly that political views and their necessary part in great art and music, make no difference.

Your friend has taken great pains to disguise her anger at you and you have responded with dignity and truth. Send it. She needs to hear what you have to say. BTW, excellent point about Picasso, Dickens etc. The artist is often, maybe always, driven by a specific passion. In your friend's case that passion appears to be mediocrity.