It's a Scary World After All
So I've been hesistant to blog about theater & acting with the recent escalations in terror around the world. I'm consumed by the news, developments, and horrific fantasies of a nearing doomsday.
I've also been thinking about the moral responsibilities of artists in times like these. Once in Les Mis rehearsals, I'll have a daily forum for voicing my frustrations, anger, confusion, and fears through the voice of Enjolras. (Is it true that the word "terrorism" first became popular during the French Revolution? ...when the 'regime de la terreur'--using fear to remind citizens of the necessity of virtue--was viewed initially as a positive political system?) But how do we deal with our thoughts now?
I think what's lacking in much of America is an open forum amongst friends and family about what each of us believes is going on. We either listen to the media and are afraid, or we listen to conspiracy theorists and mask our fears in the illusion of being misled. I wish there was more of a middle ground. More communication between Americans all over about the present and about our uncertain future.
It is our responsibility to INFORM ourselves about what is going on, have an opinion, and discuss it with those around you. Somehow, we've gotten through almost FOUR YEARS of war in Iraq without much care for the 1,000's of men and women who are coming home without arms, legs, faces...why are we so distanced from this war? Soon we'll find ourselves at the complete mercy of the media--only formulating opinions and fears from the selectively edited (and many times Photoshopped) video and photos from around the world.
We, as a society, need to start caring more. If you haven't noticed, the superpowers of the world are having some problems defeating a bunch of jihadists with Hitler-ian genocidal dreams hiding out in civilian homes. Something has changed. It's time we discuss what it is, and make sure that the next time we have the chance to affect how we live and the world we live in, we make sure more of us show up to vote than in the next American Idol competition.
1 Comments:
Hi Adam,
I couldn't agree with you more. The country has found itself spiraling into a crazy state of uncertainty. People are afraid of speaking out.
Right now, I'm in high school, but already, I am trying to inform people around me that we need to have more strength in our nation. But, alas, those very same people respond with "What can ya' do about it?"
Yes, what can we do about it? Communicate with our fellow Americans. Remind them that we are a free nation where we get a chance to choose our leaders and protest their policies.
Why can't Americans build up the courage to write letters to their representatives, conduct serious demontration in D.C., and write books? What are we so afraid of? We need to stop letting our minds be so controlled by the media. We need to formulate our own opinions. We need to care. We need leaders who will uphold our democracy, while at the same time inspiring a patriotic love in the nation's people again.
Let us be more aware of our soldiers. Help us to help them.
Humanity needs to take hold here again. And the only way that's going to happen is if we vote and make decisions ourselves.
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