Where is the boundary between what’s called implicit or unconscious bias—internalizing and enacting beliefs about specific groups without being consciously aware of doing so or the harm it causes—and culturally encoded entitlement, the conviction of having the prerogative—even the duty—to exert authority over others? Hint: the answer definitely can be found on YouTube. We are …
If you’re ever on social media, you’ll see that people are up in arms over #IMPOTUS’ stated plan to hold a campaign rally (unmasked, at close quarters) in Tulsa, OK, on June 19th. This is a holiday called Juneteenth, commemorating the long freedom struggle of African Americans. The timing is one flashpoint. The rally’s planned …
Months before the 2016 election—but just a few days after police officers killed Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge and Philando Castile not far from the site of George Floyd’s murder—I wrote about the call to abolish the police. Two readers challenged me, the first to write next about her contention that “white people have no …
All this past week, I’ve been publishing writing by François Matarasso as part of his “virtual residency” on my blog. Yesterday we hosted a Zoom conversation with artists who place their gifts at the service of community. We put our heads together to talk about possible futures, knowing that while prediction is pointless, preparation and …
Welcome to the fifth and final installment of François Matarasso’s virtual residency on my blog. Following on my virtual residency with François earlier this month, I’m hosting our second residency. Between 31 May and 4 June 2020, François is publishing guest posts here, offering a selection of his past writings on art and community that …
Welcome to the third installment of François Matarasso’s virtual residency on my blog. Following on my virtual residency with François earlier this month, I’m hosting our second residency. Between 31 May and 4 June 2020, François is publishing guest posts here, offering a selection of his past writings on art and community that were originally …
Welcome to the second installment of Francois Matarasso’s virtual residency on my blog. Following on my virtual residency with Francois earlier this month, I’m hosting our second residency. Between 31 May and 4 June 2020, Francois is publishing guest posts here, offering a selection of his past writings on art and community that were originally …
Welcome to the first installment of Francois Matarasso’s virtual residency on my blog. Following on my virtual residency with Francois earlier this month, I’m hosting our second residency. Between today and 4 June 2020, Francois is publishing guest posts here, offering a selection of his past writings on art and community that were originally published …
Community-based arts work depends on close, collaborative relationships. Much of it relies on gathering in groups to take part in processes of self-discovery and to exercise the right to culture. It may be a path to personal development or political action. But whatever the intentions, community-based arts work braids pleasure and purpose to generate within …
A few days ago I wrote about the utter neglect of equity and wider awareness in arguments for their own funding being issued by “mainstream” arts advocates. “So what should they be saying and doing?” some readers asked. This is my answer. I’d be interested to know yours. First, a little context. There’s a persistent …