As of May 5th, 2012, over $419,000,000 (that is 419 MILLION US dollars) has been contributed to all candidates to run for the position of the President of the USA. Combined, not just one party, so I am not playing favorites here.
$419,000,000
Instead of bombarding us with ads and campaigning, wouldn’t it be lovely if that amount of money went somewhere else…oh, like say create or keep 8,038 teaching jobs (at $50,000 for the school year) for one year, or over 11,000 jobs paying as low as $35,000 a year?
Yeah, drop in the bucket, one may say…but to those 8,000 to 11,000? No, it would be a big deal.
Hard to judge who should get it, where it should go, etc etc etc…yes, it is, especially with so many out of work: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Household Survey Data
Both the number of unemployed persons (12.5 million) and the unemployment rate (8.1 percent) changed little in April
Splitting all that money amongst all unemployed would only garner a check for $35.52. Not much of a help for anyone (well, for someone starving…).
I would rather see that money at least go to something good, something that would be helping others.
I would rather the President’s $191,000.000 fund education, or the Arts (yes, my personal bias: those in the arts need to live too), medical/health care, anti-violence/hate crime programs, the elderly, or something that would help other people. Better that then take up advertising time, spin negative ads against Romney, and such.
THAT would be the person I want running this country. Raise money from those who are fighting being taxed fairly and use that money for the common good.
No religious, political or personal agenda: just helping others.
In January, the number of job losers and persons who completed temporary jobs fell to 7.3 million. The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was little changed at 5.5 million and accounted for 42.9 percent of the unemployed. (See tables A-11 and A-12.)
BTW…this was for “nonfarm payroll employment.” I did not look up anything for farm workers; almost afraid to see how many more that adds to the numbers.
So…the long-term unemployed? Little change, and about 5 and half million: 5,500,000 people who are without work!
This is not taking into any account of those who worked the temp/part time jobs, nor does it state how many fall close to or under the poverty level doing that work. This does not take into account a lot of new college graduates who were not “long-term” employees, nor those who, due to the financial reality of today, are trying to get INTO the workplace, to help support families.
It does not tell the story of ages, of careers/long held positions that are no longer, and people having to move along, finding what work they can….IF they can.
The statistics do nothing to really tell the stories, and it is the stories that matter most, because then we can relate. We can find that bond/thread to someone’s else’s plight.
Do we have to make it personal? Do you have to know the person to really care? There is a reason that the Viet Nam Wall in Washington has such an impact. There is a reason, if you see someone’s name &/or face attached to an atrocity that it makes it more real.
Statistics? Nameless numbers that can get juggled to tell it’s own story.
There were protests across the country, Occupy (insert wherever). No real focus, lots of noise and fuss, that, now, months later, has amounted to a lot of nothing. If there was a protest against the “1 Percent“, it did little to nothing to change anything.
Until we have some really clear focus, and some caring about what is going on, and a REAL PLAN…
To trade goods or services without the exchange of money.
A tagline to a newspaper article caught my eye: “Uninsured Can Exchange Talents for Care.” Lincoln Hospital, in The Bronx, is offering artists in that borough of NYC a chance to get health care; they get credits for each hour worked that can be used towards a variety of medical treatments & prescriptions. Their program, Lincoln Arts Exchange, is modeled after the Artist Access program at Brooklyn’s Woodhull Medical Center.
Bartering is nothing new. It is used in markets across the world, trading goods. Services may have taken a back seat, but the idea works for me. I have no “goods” to barter, but I do have a “service,” and that is my art, whether it’s a performance (Storytelling or Interactive Theater), workshop, or Editing/Copy writing service. With money tight, if I can exchange some of my time and energy to get something I need…bartering is a great idea.
When I ran my theater company (The Brothers Grinn: 1994-2006), I rarely paid for rehearsal space (until the need for an abundance of NYC members of the company). I bartered with a few places (Two churches and a couple of other locations), offering them either free group performances or solo workshops for weekly rehearsal space. This was a huge savings for a company that was young and toured an average of 120 performances a year. We had no “home” space to perform/work out of but the spaces I found worked for us on many levels; the money I saved that way was put into many things the company needed (costumes; sound equipment; insurance; etc).
What Creative Service Do You Have To Barter?
Health Care, rehearsal space, food…what can you add to the list? I’ve only just started a very small section of what could be possible if more would open their minds to the idea: Artists have something to offer.
Do you: Go with your gut reaction? Weigh the pros & cons, and come to a decision you can back up and justify? Do you follow what your friends/family/confidants say &/or do, without question? Do you go against what you believe due to outside pressure?
On my way home from a great Interactive Theater workshop in NYC, I turned on the local NPR station (WNYC 93.9 FM). The program This American Life was on, and just in time: I had been hearing the teasers for the program and was hoping to catch it. A group of 5th graders (ten/eleven years old) were undergoing an amazing Process Drama:
“What if, say, the U.S.-led invasion of Grenada in 1983 had been decided, not by Ronald Reagan, but by a bunch of middle-schoolers?”
The students were led on an amazingly detailed program. Three rooms were set up for them: a press room, a command center, and the President’s office/war room. Split into three groups, the students were in role, being asked to make the hard decisions that adults with “experience” in these matters had struggled with almost thirty years ago.
I don’t want to spoil it for you. I included the link above (first one) so you can listen to the program (there are two other “acts”: one with a 14 year old discussing Global Climate changes and a school in Brooklyn that is governed by…the students). I hope after you listen you’ll come back here and leave some comments.
The second link is from the blog Woman Wielding Words about an amazing experience with practicing drama with kids from a very different culture.
The third link: really, the nuts and bolts of what I love to do with students: have them make personal discoveries and to think for themselves. Weigh it all out, find out what they feel is right or wrong, and then also look at how someone else see’s the same situation; How it is sometimes hard to make a decision at all.
There are applications for Arts in Education in all core curricula, as there is in Art in all aspects of life. That is part of what creativity comes into play.
There are a tremendous amount of very talented people on the internet. It’s a statement that may seem obvious, but there are a number who shine brighter than others. Creative and with a heart: that’s Adriene Joyce, or, as she seems to often prefer, Sweepy Jean. She is a poet, editor and a great online friend and supporter.
I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to talk about creativity on Stuart’s blog. When I first “met” Stu, it became clear early on that I was in the presence of someone who takes his creativity seriously. For his efforts, he produces a lot of good work across genres and disciplines, which serves as an example of what we can all strive for.
For those of you who don’t think you have a creative bone in your body, think again.
Human beings are naturally creative, and evidence of it goes back to the beginning of time through the sheer act of survival. How else is it that we have coped with our environment? As a species, our creativity has led us to the invention of the wheel, the crafting of tools, and to the development of technology. On an individual level, human infants quickly learn the types of behaviors and interactions with others that will increase their chances of getting their physical and emotional needs met.
We build upon these skills throughout childhood and beyond. If we’re doing it right, we never stop coming up with creative ideas for living. I almost think we can’t help but to live creative lives.
Parents find creative ways to teach their children all the time. Planning meals and budgeting our money are creative acts. Even people who have “uninteresting” jobs or jobs that require repetition use their creativity to figure out ways to perform them as efficiently as possible. The list goes on and on.
What about for those of us with a calling to the “fine” arts? As is true of all artists, my work as a poet is influenced by everyday, ordinary life. For me poetry is a creative way to communicate my version of the truth to others.
It’s what all humans do: We tell our stories and compare and contrast them, hoping to arrive at what life really means.
Adriene’s latest creative pursuit is the Third Sunday Blog Carnival for poetry, fiction, and essays on writing. You can find her on Twitter @sweepyjean
One of my Triberr friends who came to my call is Corinne O’Flynn, another Mighty Writer Warrior. Beyond that, though, I got to know Corinne as a writer during the Rules of Three Blogfest I co-hosted in October 2011.
A pretty darn good writer, as she was the winner of our first blogfest, garnering the votes and admiration of her fellow #REN3 writers. Well deserved, among some tough competition.
Her Guest Post echoes feelings I wrote about recently. GMTA! Enjoy!!
The Creativity Series Guest Post:
What Does Creativity Look Like?: Corinne O’Flynn
Whether you are staring down a blank sheet of paper and willing the pen to move, standing in front of a blank canvas wishing the brush would take over, crying over your keyboard and stark white monitor, or lamenting the cluttered space in your house and praying for a solution, we all use our creativity every single day.
In my handy dictionary, creativity is defined as the ability to create.
Create what?
Does creativity belong solely to the arts? Is it a matter of creating something beautiful, entertaining, or enlightening? I am not so sure about that. Does it require bringing something into being where there was nothing before?
I believe strongly that we humans are rather creative by nature. Not everyone can be a writer, nor everyone a painter, but everyone is creative.
As a writer, I am often asked where I come up with the ideas for my stories. I would love to reply that there is a fabulous process with thirteen intricate and specific steps which, if followed, will enable each and every one of you to generate fabulous story lines. But, that’s not the case-at least for me (if you do happen to have such a plan, please share it in the comments!). Yes, there is a creative process at work, but it is so very subjective and personal. What works for me will not likely work for someone else and vice versa.
As part of my work at Rowan Tree Foundation I write essays about my personal experience and thoughts on grief and loss. When I ask others to consider becoming a contributing writer and share about their own experiences, many shy away claiming a lack of creative ability. Now, you know I don’t believe it’s possible since I’ve already stated that we are all creative.
So what is it?
Creativity requires courage. There is risk involved in creating something that you intend to share. Putting your heart into creating something and then placing it on display puts you at risk. It is a risk many people are not comfortable taking.
What many people fail to see, and therefore fail to give themselves credit for, is the creativity that they put to use on a daily basis. Some are indeed working on things that are considered mainstream creative endeavors like writing, singing, composing, and art to name a few. But what about the everyday person trying to organize a cluttered space in their home so they can make the space ready for a new use? What about the businessperson who needs to figure out a solution to a budget crisis without letting any employees go? What about the parent whose children need to be in five places at once and there is only one car?
Creativity takes many forms, and they are not always what we think of as conventionally creative things. It’s important to acknowledge your personal creativity even when you’re applying it to mundane tasks. If more of us did this, I believe we’d discover how very creative we all are.
In what ways are you creative in your daily life?
Bio:
Corinne loves to write about fictional dark and fantastical things. You can find her on her blog and on twitter @CorinneOFlynn
A very good friend of mine is a minister. I have known her since High School, so, yes, a few years. She is one of the many that I had asked for guest posts while my hands were not working properly (still not 100%, but that’s a whole nuther thing). We talked a bit on FB, and she voiced her concern: she didn’t feel that what she does is creative.
the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination: the need for creativity in modern industry; creativity in the performing arts.
3.
the process by which one utilizes creative ability: Extensive reading stimulated his creativity.
I see that everyone, in someway, does something creative in their lives. Creativity is not just producing art, or music, or theater, or writing, or crafty little things. We think in creative ways, problem solving our way out of troubles or blockades.
As a minister, she has to be creative in writing 52 sermons a year that will engage her congregation (well, 52 minus vacations); writing the newsletter; hearing and helping to solve problems from her flock; she has to think on her feet when illnesses and deaths happen, when roadblocks are presented to her that need bypassing. That’s just what she does on the job. What about her life outside of the church? Family, friends, budgets, etc… all take at times a creative touch.
We all do creative thinking and things, even if we are not in The Arts. Einstein was creative: yes, a big example, but, think about how you’ve dealt with an interruption in your daily life, how you’ve had to improvise something on the spot, how you’ve had to brainstorm something new because what you were doing just wasn’t enough…
Unless you’ve life is so scripted that you have no chance to alter anything, then you’ve had creative moments.
There is a great deal of concern and hand wringing over saving the arts. Recently, the Westchester County Arts Council sent out a plea for us to write to our congressmen about major cuts to the arts. I did is they asked, knowing that in even the smallest way our voices have to be heard.
I got an answer back not from the congressmen but from his assistant. there was a lot of blame and finger-pointing in this letter, it still talking how great Westchester County is in comparison to other locations. I will copy and post her letter, but before I do: I have something to say. Yes, big surprise.
With all the talk about saving the parts one very important component seems to be forgotten:
WHAT ABOUT THE ARTIST?
I am a performing and teaching ARTIST. I make my primary living from working in the Arts. My discipline is Theater/Drama, Storytelling and Creative Writing. I do not create “lasting” art in Fine Arts, but I DO perform a service in the Performing Arts.
When you cut the funding for the arts, you are not just cutting out a sculpture or a painting, or a dance or theater piece, or a choral work, you are taking money out of reach of PEOPLE who are trying to pay their bills and survive. by making these budget cuts to save organizations, you are also then putting more people on unemployment. This fall, I have been unable to find a job, mainly because in my field there’s much less work. There are also more people out looking for any work, so even jobs that I could fit into are inundated by other people looking for work.
Where would we be without ones like Van Gogh?
Is it just me, or does this just not make any sense? A good friend of mine has put it very simply: at this point in time, if everyone across the board and that means the big boys in the middle management boys played fairly, more people to keep their jobs. It’s part of what I’ve been saying in that we need creative solutions and problem solving in place of the reactionaries.
I do not want to be on unemployment. I want to work. I feel there are ways that more people can work and keep their jobs. Today on the news from NPR I heard that more than 28,000 postal workers will be laid off soon. What jobs will they be able to get to support their families?
It’s very easy to cast blame and point fingers. As a country, we seem to excel at that.
Wouldn’t we be better off if we were creative problem solvers?
As stated above, here is the letter I got today:
Thank you for writing to County Executive Robert P. Astorino regarding funding for the arts.
Please be assured that Mr. Astorino has read your message and he has asked me to respond to you on his behalf.
The county executive understands and appreciates your concern for the arts. While developing the proposed 2012 county budget, Mr. Astorino and his administration have given the arts the same consideration accorded to every program, service, agency and facility supported by county government.
As you know all too well, this is a very challenging economy. There is a critical need to balance a $114 million county budget deficit with a responsibility to provide essential services and property tax relief, protect Westchester’s neediest residents, promote structural financial reform and reduce government spending at all levels. One of the major roadblocks to maintaining the funding level for Arts Westchester and many other worthwhile programs and services, is the failure of the public employee unions to agree to make a reasonable contribution to their healthcare premiums. Westchester County’s union employees are one of the few groups left in the nation that contribute nothing to their healthcare costs. This ever-increasing financial burden necessitates reductions in other portions of the county budget. The county executive, since taking office two years ago, has attempted to get county workers to agree to the same level of healthcare contributions state workers make. While there is a reduction in the allocation to arts programs, the County Executive’s proposed budget includes funding for the arts at $750,000. This action is in no way a reflection on the outstanding quality of exhibits and performances presented by the arts community nor the talents and efforts of all who labor to bring these offerings to fruition. It is instead, a part of many across-the-board measures which must be taken during these difficult times.
Your views and those of all who live and work in Westchester are very important to the county executive. Your input is both welcome and valued.
Again, thank you for writing.
Sincerely,
Janet Lokay Assistant to the County Executive 148 Martine Avenue White Plains, New York 10601 (914) 995-2127
Here was my response to Ms. Lokay:
Hi… it’s not just the exhibits and performances.
You forget a very essential part: the artist has to live, pay bills, and be part of the economic structure. By cutting the arts, it’s not just the end product but the people who live through the process. Two very different things.
I am a Teaching Artist and a performing artist. My entire life is creative and my livelihood depends on schools, libraries, community centers and more have funds to hire me and others like me. I live for the educational process that is part of the learning process…and it does not seem politicians realize this.
Schools may not hire a full time Theater Teacher anymore (I have my NYS Certification in Theater), but they SHOULD hire me as a consultant, which is what a TA (teaching artist) really is. I integrate my work into the school core curricula, and it enhances, not wastes, the teachers’ lessons.
I would love to have a conversation about this. Yes, many of us produce art that is seen; there are many more of us who produce art that is part of the educational process, for ALL ages, and we’re hurting, trying to make a living.
My thing: instead of telling me why something isn’t working, why are we not doing problem solving around the negatives out there. I’d rather know what has been attempted, or will be, instead of what is not working. I work a lot with my students, when I get them, on problem solving.
I’m serious about talking with Mr. Astorino.
She gave me her phone number. If I don’t hear from them, and if you know me at all, they will hear from me. I will let you know what happens next. I’m tired of the excuses. Let’s get off of unemployment
I have had (and have many in the waiting) some great – and I mean GREAT – guest blogs for my creativity series. Yesterday was no exception, but a comment by Maureen of Zencherry got to me, as well as many of the comments to yesterday’s post.
I have an example of kindergarten happy turning to first grade bricks.
Youngest child: Teacher pinned a naughty badge on his shirt, (on the first day of school), and made him wear it all through the day and then on the bus home to me because he “sang in the bathroom”. It said it in big red letters on his badge.
Yesterday’s Guest Blogger, Lisa Kramer, of Woman Wielding Words, commented and said exactly how I feel: “That makes my heart hurt. “ Lisa also declared it a Sing In The Bathroom Day for her family.
I’m taking it one step further: I hereby declare a “National Sing Everywhere Movement”!
If you go back among my posts you’ll see that I have endorsed the fact that we can all sing, dance, paint, CREATE!!!
Too many times creativity and exploration is deemed unacceptable and does not fit the norm of what’s expected in school, work, and life. To these fuddy-duddies, I give a great big raspberry (and in some cases a certain raised middle finger); I just don’t have the words to describe in a public forum like this how I feel about that teacher who, to me, exemplifies all that is wrong with our education system and corporate system. Yes, there is lots more “wrong” in both – just what was done to Maureen’s kid really rankles me.
NAUGHTY BADGE
SINGING IN THE BATHROOM
(Don’t let it out, but…I do not know how to make a badge. If anybody knows how to, they can use what I’ve just done above and I would be honored to display it and give it out to all you naughty creative people).
SING OUT LOUD
FINGER PAINT ON THE WALLS
DANCE LIKE THERE’S NO TOMORROW
BE CREATIVE… WEAR THE NAUGHTY BADGE PROUDLY!!!!!!!!
Don’t EVER let someone shame you from doing something that is not causing anyone else harm.
I have PLENTY of stories of adult BULLIES who have shamed me, from childhood on. ADULT BULLIES.
This is a problem that needs to be addressed on the same level we try to do with the kids.
She is one of the many that I had asked for guest posts while my hands were not working properly (still not 100%, but that’s a whole nuther thing). We talked a bit on FB, and she voiced her concern: she didn’t feel that what she does is creative.
