9 Comments
User's avatar
Rhian Sasseen's avatar

There's a dismissive quality to that phrase, especially its latter half, "and we are enjoying this beauty," that really bothers me. As though the arts are inherently frivolous, and like they themselves don't have a political dimension, too. As though the arts don't in fact emphasize and underscore our humanity, especially against the dehumanizing effects of fascism.

Expand full comment
Rebecca Deczynski's avatar

Well said!!

Expand full comment
Natalie Guevara's avatar

Articulated my thoughts better than I ever could. Kudos to you for engaging in dialogue with XR. I find their answers concerningly... vague.

Expand full comment
Rebecca Deczynski's avatar

VERY vague. I was getting responses pretty quickly, too—I think there was probably not much thought going into the whole thing.

Expand full comment
Leila Lois's avatar

A nuanced and considered engagement on the importance of targeted, urgent action while also uplifting the arts, which relies upon philanthropy for better or worse

Expand full comment
leta rebecca's avatar

100% agree with you

Expand full comment
Miriam Landis's avatar

Thank you so much for this beautiful thought piece and for contacting and dialoging with the organizations involved. You've inspired me to do the same.

Expand full comment
Rebecca Lin's avatar

Thank you! I am sure that many audience members are exhausted at the end of a long day of dealing with environmental and political concerns, and are looking forward to the performance! Not to mention the dancers, who had to start over again… Many patrons are contributing money because the government won’t.

And unfortunately, in the current political atmosphere, a company really would risk alienating some patrons by “taking a stand.” I’d rather have them being more responsible in using sustainable energy.

Expand full comment
Rebecca Deczynski's avatar

Absolutely!!

Expand full comment