Park That Artwork
The recent article about the installation of sculptor David Nash's newest work at Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park ("Pillars of Hope," issue of July 2-6) presented a nice snapshot of the park and of the new art work and the artist's intent. There were factual errors, however, that should be clarified.
Nash's "Seven Vessels, Ascending/Descending" is the first of two commissioned artworks coming to the park. The second piece, "The Crystalline Tower" (not "The Millennium Tower"), is to be a 70-foot stainless steel tower; it is not, however, representative of "clay, color and fire" nor is it the collaboration of artists from Cincinnati's seven sister cities. The "Clay, Color and Fire" project is a third piece of art being created by these artists, working with apprentices under the direction of Jan Brown Checco, who devised the project. It will result this fall in colorful mosaic tiles being applied to the columns and around the hearth of the international pavilion in the park.
"The Crystalline Tower" is being designed by Czech artist Vratislav Novak and Ohio artist Susan Ewing, and its three sides represent sun, wind and water, conveyed through titanium panels that will move in the wind. The pool of water referred to in the article was eliminated from the design.
-- Steven Schuckman, Superintendent of Planning & Design, Cincinnati Park Board
Strengthen Our Character
Regarding Heidi Bruins, Mike McCleese and Roy Ford's letter "Stone-Walled Again" (issue of June 25-July 1), like the messengers or not, their message of racism and accountability is on target. However, the law of relativity -- "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction" -- gives me pause. I am reminded of Dr. King's wisdom in his "I Have a Dream" speech when he said, "We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline."
The message of fairness, equality and empowerment is a right of all people in a democracy regardless of race, sexual orientation, ideology, geographical origination and committee or board membership. When Stonewall joined the economic boycott, Doreen Cudnik was quoted in CityBeat (issue of Jan. 31-Feb.
6, 2002) as saying, "The face of Stonewall has changed, and we want people to know that without a doubt we are an anti-racist organization. ... We need to be held accountable to that. How can we expect other groups to be at the table with us and in support of our issues if we're not at the table with them?"
What happened to that commitment? Why was the issue of racism in our family booted along with Bruins, Ford and McCleese? Why were only three board members held accountable? And when did political opportunism and failed leadership become desirable qualities for political campaigns, board and committee memberships? Whatever happened to the character builders of telling the truth, even when it is difficult, and keeping commitments, even if it means unexpected sacrifice?
To those who have made a selfless commitment to our total GLBT family, we must be wise enough to accept that it took each of us years to get to this point in our understanding of racism -- and it might take members of our family, with whom we disagree, at least that amount of time to come to that same understanding. True to the lessons I learned from the late Rep. Barbara Jordan (D-Texas), we must shake the foundation of racism and bigotry through education, engagement and negotiation, not disruption and revolution. We must engage ourselves, our family and our friends in the character-building qualities of mutual respect, dignity and discipline.
We need a new definition of a civil GLBT society in Cincinnati that answers the unanswerable question of racism in our total family. When we agree with the message but disagree with the messenger, we must use that experience as an opportunity to build character and give voice to moderation. Whenever a persistent void in leadership lingers in our community, dismiss the "further division" argument and fill that void with the responsible leadership our family needs. We don't need permission to be Americans.
I choose to believe a lot of people in Cincinnati learned a lot of lessons over the past two years, and I also know, by the example of words and actions, that clearly some have not. And I firmly believe the wounds in our community need to be healed if there is any hope for the repeal of Article 12. But don't take us for fools; it is a mistake to ask this community to rebuild trust in organizations and leaders that have been at the heart of the destruction of our community. It makes a clear statement to members of our total GLBT family that political back-stabbing and failed leadership are acceptable standards of performance and that the lessons of the past two years were for naught. I'm reminded of a wise old parable: First time shame on you, second time shame on me.
So what is the solution? Simple. We are called to make a profound change, for all types and colors of family members to sit down amidst a cloud of fear and disagreement and dialogue for an understanding of racism and a new GLBT ethos of individual responsibility and caring. We must hold strong to the spiritual axiom that first we must find in ourselves the quality of character we expect in others.
Holding ourselves to a higher level of accountability, as Dr. King did, will strengthen and grow our character. This in turn will grow the fabric of our families, our organizations, our community and, ultimately, a new GLBT politics of accountability that is desperately needed here.
More People, Less Taxes
I read recently that the city of Cincinnati has lost 2.2 percent of its population since 2000, which is the fastest rate of loss in Ohio. I found this number to be appalling, and as a 19-year area resident who works downtown I would like to say that not enough action is being taken to try to get people to come and live in the city and stay.
City officials seem to be more concerned with keeping big businesses than people. This country was built on the backs of small business and entrepreneurship, and this is why I feel the city needs to look into tax relief for small business owners, not Convergys or Kroger.
I recently visited Detroit and saw a deplorable sight. There were no people walking the streets, and the only thing left in the city were big businesses like GM and Compuware. I see Cincinnati turning into the same type of city, where there are no people and only a few larger businesses are left.
As a aspiring business owner myself, I feel it's important for the city to try to get people to stay here so that all small businesses can be successful and lead to more investment into the large companies. I find it amazing that the city can work through these big business deals with good efficiency and quickness, but when it comes to civic programs and other things that will help the people they take their jolly good time and nothing gets done.
-- James Kain, Colerain Twp.
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