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RAT Columbine
Fellow Artists-
By now I'm sure you are aware of the events at Columbine High school ,
in Littleton, Colorado. as of this moment, the word locally is that 20
high school students are dead, as many seriously injured. Littleton is
a suburb of Denver, so you can imagine what local TV has been like. I
have watched in shock and horror as these events have unfolded;
watching the young faces, some from families whose names I knew from
my own years in school, sought comfort, and answers to the questions
that a mind that young should never, ever, have to ask. Parents,
hysterical with fear, and the grief and shock of a community shredded
by what's happening IN Their NEIGHBORHOOD. By reflex, I made a number
of phone calls, reassuring my self and those I loved that , yes, even
thought the world had gone to hell, we were okay; this devastation had
not visited us personally. And to everyone else , I can only fervently
encourage you to cherish those you love, and keep them close. this is
the world we live in now. If it can happen in Littleton, At Columbine
High School, it can happen anywhere.
To the Main point; In the light of this, and the events in Kosovo, and
with the knowledge gained from learning the truth, I would like to see
a discussion begun among us.
We are the storytellers. The Mythmakers. The Jesters and commentators
of our society. Like it or not , we belong to a community (within a
community within a community). What is our responsibility to that
community ? what should be our response, as artists and individuals ,
when we witness such a tragedy ? certainly, an impromptu production of
'The Music Man ' is not precisely called for , but what ? At what
point
to we cease to be outsiders, disinterested bystanders and
commentators, and step in. At what point do we step up to the plate
and say " NO. WE ARE NOT GOING TO ALLOW THIS TO PASS WITHOUT COMMENT.
We are not going to remain inactive. I am not going to bury myself in
some philosophical grave while my neighbor suffers."
But what are we to do ? What will be the statement we make to the
world?
I realize that this my seem a bit dramatic ( that is the business I am
in, though), and I can foresee that it will be met with everything
from
circumspection to levity, but I felt it had to be said.
Glen 'Skip' Newell
The Paulina Project
Denver, Colo.
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