As a former presidential appointee to the National Council of the National Endowment for the Arts, it was with particular concern that I learned of ex Governor Sarah Palin's 'trashing' of both the National Endowments of the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Her position went beyond the bounds of reasoned debate. To question whether the government should or should not fund these institutions is a legitimate issue of of civil discussion. But to refer to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as 'frivolous' institutions becomes a reflection on her wisdom and character.
Unquestionably the teaching and the support of the humanities and the arts has diminished in our progressively technologically demanding world. And it shows. Solid American values have been allowed to mutate in recent years to the ugliness of rampant irresponsibility, greed and civil and criminal fraud that, among other things, have become the root cause of the financial meltdown. A renaissance and respect in the arts and humanities that have in the past steered the nation to greatness are now needed more urgently than ever before.
This is a nation whose greatness has had many pillars. In the industriousness of its people, the fervor of its visionaries, the national sense of shared community and destiny, to name but a few.
Yet paramount to our pillar of nationhood has been our reverence and imbued understanding of the humanities and the great lessons of the human mind gleaned from the experience of history, and its impact on the history of the nation. A history formed in classical thought and instruction. No, not everyone was or has been a classicist, but our founding fathers were so immersed in its text and learning. It formed their character and was instrumental in forming the new nation. It was the humanities that fortified them through the struggles of the nation's young history, that saw it through difficult times and imbued us with the knowledge to overcome the vicissitudes of the moment, then, as those we were to confront in the years ahead. The humanities taught us we were not alone in our moments of challenge, and through that knowledge we evolved the inner fortitude to see it through.
No Mrs. Palin, the arts and humanities are not 'frivolous.' Should your singularly ungracious comments derive from a need to pander to a given political sector within our society, there too you are on the wrong side of the angels. As an appointee of President Reagan, a man whose interest in the nation's well being was acknowledged by most all, I can vouch for his abiding interest in the arts and the humanities and his manifold support of the mission of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Governor Palin, may I suggest that instead of seeing Russia in the distance, a visit to a library nearby might be a more worthwhile exercise.
Recently I was watching a documentary where one of the subjects said that artists show us a vision of the future as it can be and a scientist's job is to make it a future that will be. That statement ariculated what I always felt--art and science need one another for a great nation to thrive.
I was very fortunate to experience a rich and inspiring arts and humanites-based education from grade school through college. I had teachers that encouraged critical thinking, eploration of ideas, analysis, and self-examination. I see the difference now in the young adults entering the world that don't have this in their lives...and it saddens me to see the denigration of our culture (witness reality TV) as a result.
It is 2011 and we have made amazing advancements in technology yet without a strong foundation and continued fostering of culture and creativity championed by organizations such as NEA and NEH, I feel the fate of Rome awaits us.
If one pokes a stick at a dog in a cage long enough - the dog (even a happy, gentle pet) will become mad with rage - and that, I fear, is what is happening to the population of the USA - the powers-that-be - from beyond the reach of everyday citizens - are so abusing us that a significant percentage are simply losing it - and mean-spirited, vapid "leaders" who spout simplistic "solutions" to the never-ending torment begin to seem credible.
We have entered an era wherein the cultured and educated are held in venomous contempt by a growing segment of society - this is uncharted territory for the USA - where in even the recent past the opposite was true. I could easily be convinced that we've already passed a point of no return - and there will be no rectification until the cycle has burned itself out in the ugliest fashion.
Please - O please - let me be wrong...
Perfecting that state of unconciousness you can then vote republican and later claim you did it because of a lack of oxygen and blood to the brain.
She could pass muster as a comedienne, but she is only unintentionally funny while being deadly serious. Certainly we could use a good laugh, but not at the expense of our country.