Storm Brewing Below the Surface

I am a white, upper middle class woman who learned about the civil rights movement through textbooks and video clips. Admittedly, I have never, to my knowledge, been at the receiving end of any serious prejudice. That is, until this summer. While in the Paris subway with my two boys, three men of Arabic origin, approached us. As if I was invisible, they bypassed me and steered towards my two boys, aged 6 and 9. Leaning over, they jabbed their fingers to within millimeters of their faces and viciously taunted them. It was obvious that my boys had been identified as American. Alone, I was frozen with fear and all of a sudden, I was transported to a street in the deep south during the 1950’s. The mind plays funny tricks when fear is involved. I thought, “This is how a Southern Black woman probably felt in the 1950’s.” Frozen with fear, what did I do? Nothing. I stood absolutely still and decided not to say a word. I didn’t want to provoke the situation in any shape or form. My kids didn’t do anything either. In fact, they were oblivious to the hate that had just hovered over them. Like a storm cloud, it passed.

Emmit Till, who was 14 in 1955, wasn’t as lucky. The storm hovered over him and he got struck down. He made the innocent mistake of whistling in the wrong place at the wrong time. His story was recently featured in Maria Sanchez’s column in The Kansas City Star, http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascitystar/news/opinion/10072861.htm%20.andand continues to get more coverage since a courageous young filmmaker has taken up his cause. Emmit’s bloodied, battered body was limp and lifeless in his open casket funeral; but his message still resonates.

It's a big jump to compare these two experiences; but, in a way it's not because they both originate from the same source: ignorance. I’ll never even pretend to know what the African American experience is or has been. What I do know, though, is that cruel or brutal treatment in any shape or form is absolutely inexcusable. Whether taking place in a brief exchange in the Paris subway system, torturous treatment in Abu Ghraib or murderous actions in the Nazi concentration camps or backwoods of Mississippi, behaviour like that is bred from sheer ignorance. Until we truly realize this, we won’t progress as a race, the human race, that is.

Swing Vote

Yup, I was the classic swing voter. The pendulum just kept swinging back and forth and back again. Finally, 12 hours before the election, the pendulum quit swinging. I was watching a PBS documentary on the presidential candidates. Although, with both candidates getting equal ‘tube time,’ the program was not biased, it was a catalyst for my bias to surface.

A videotape of a 2002 speech where Senator Kerry expressed reservations regarding going to war with Iraq, reflected the exact sentiments that I had held before we went to war. Without the support of the United Nations and the rest of the world, we should not have entered into the conflict. Kerry predicted that if the basis for going to war were ever to be proven false, then we’d have a much more dangerous world than ever before. His concern has come to fruition.

A primary reason that Kerry was able to view the situation from a world perspective rather than from just a North American one is because of the international ties that the two most influential women in his life hold. Senator Kerry’s mother was French and his wife is Portuguese. Being brought up in a household that had a European perspective combined with an American one would have influenced him from a very young age to not have “tunnel vision” in dealing with foreign policy. Being a powerful nation isolated by two large oceans we don’t have to deal with other nations as neighbors on a daily basis. Therefore, it’s easy, through lack of understanding and contact, to foster intolerance and a disrespectful attitude towards other countries. Having his wife, Theresa, by his side would remind him daily of the broader perspective that world citizens hold.

From this line of reasoning, for the first time in my life, a Democratic presidential candidate captured my vote. It took a great deal of effort on my part to finalize my decision. Even though my choice of candidate did not make it to the White House, I am not angry. Instead, I’m happy for the personal process that I went through in order to reach my decision; and I’m extremely thankful to live in a country where opinions can be expressed without fear of consequence. Voting is not a ‘right,’ it is a privilege. I have faith in the Democratic process and am optimistic about our future. After such a hateful campaign, it was impressive the way both candidates were humbled in the face of the Democratic process and acted gracefully towards one another. In his concession speech, Kerry pointed out that no matter how the election turned out, every morning, each of us wakes up as Americans and that is the greatest situation one could ask for on this planet. Once again, I agree with Kerry.

Plan 'B' Takes Choice 'A'

My neighbors on the right have a Bush/Cheney sign in their front yard and the ones on my left have a Kerry/Edwards sign. Symbolically and literally, I’m stuck in the middle. Being a far left Republican bordering on a far right Democrat further cements my “in-between-ness.” Since I’m split right down the middle, I got a kick out of Joe Posnaski’s article, “Playing bumper-sticker politics in search of the road-rage vote.” (http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/columnist/joe_posnaski/9921660.htm)
Although my method is not nearly as entertaining as Joe’s, I’m also taking a detour in my method of choosing a president. Since Plan A, “choosing a credible presidential candidate,” isn’t working well for me, I’m relying on Plan B, “choosing a vice- presidential candidate.”
Last time around, I voted for Bush. However, during his presidency I didn't agree with all of his policies, namely, his choice to go to war without the support of the United Nations. If the United Nations had agreed that Saddam must be dealt with for thumbing his nose at them for 12 years, then it would have been our duty as world citizens to support the U.N.. Instead, the U.S. ignored the U.N. and consequently became the world’s police. It was arrogant of us to supercede the power of the U.N.. It was arrogant of us to assume that everyone was going to view us as a savior preaching the ideals of democracy. It was especially arrogant of us to assume that we could solve a power struggle in the Tigris-Euphrates region that has been going on for at least 5,000years! Consequently, we’ve got a big mess to clean up. That alone was enough to make me want to jump the fence to the Democratic side for this election.
Unfortunately, when I looked over the fence, I wasn't sure that the grass was much greener on the other side. Superficially, Kerry looks great. If the debates were a casting call for Hollywood, Kerry would get the audition because his looks could be stereotyped as “presidential.” He’s tall, dignified, and serious in his demeanor. His commanding voice draws attention. Underneath that polished exterior, though, it seems a chord of insincerity lurks. At the last debate when Kerry was hit with a personal question regarding his family, he sputtered out an innocuous reply that must’ve left his family feeling neglected. Even though the moment had nothing to do with politics, it did show a glimpse of his personna. At that point, he became an actor who temporarily stepped out of character at the casting call. He didn’t convince me.
On issues, I’m evenly split "50/50" between both candidates' outlines. I guess I could vote for Nader; but, oh no, I forgot, he’s a communist…
Since I haven’t been able to make a decision at the top of the ticket, my alternative route has been to slide down to the bottom of the ticket and check out the vice-presidential candidates. It took one debate to throw a bucket of cold water in my direction. At the end of the vice-presidential debate, Edwards, very much at ease in his Clintonesque style, spun a homegrown story about the attainment of the American dream. Cheney, in an understated but commanding fashion, listed the facts in clear, concise fasion, no bedtime stories, just the facts. For the first time ever, the meaning of “only a heartbeat from the presidency” hit me and I asked myself:
“In this crucial time, who would be the better choice?”

A. Dick Cheney (who has worked under four presidents, been Secretary of Defense, governed probably equally as much on the ticket as Bush)
OR

B. Edwards (whose experience, as the alleged ‘Senator Gone,” is nil in comparison to Cheney)

They are both applying for a job, and when two people interview for a position, the employer needs to hire the candidate with the most experience. If a doctorate is a requirement for a job, someone with a bachelor’s degree would not be eligible. Such is the case between Cheney and Edwards. There’s no comparison. Maybe, in the future, after Edwards gains experience, he will be an option. As it is, he simply doesn’t have the experience to be VP of a nation at war. With that in mind, Plan ‘B’ takes choice ‘A.’

To Park or Not to Park...

As I sat in my car, inhaling exhaust fumes and wasting gas while I was gridlocked on the second floor of the UMKC parking garage, I realized that there was no one to curse or blame for my predicament other than myself. Observing 10 cars to my left, 10 cars to my right, 10 cars behind me and 20 cars in front of me, I became aware that there was a whole line of drivers that had made similar choices to mine. None of us chose to carpool; none of us chose to park on a side street and walk a bit further; and none of us chose to ride a bike. We are all a few weeks into the semester. We know the parking is difficult and yet we haven’t changed our approach. Many students are upset about the parking issue. Check out “Parking Stinks” at http://www.unews.com/news/2004/09/20/Forum/Letter.To.The.Editor-724705.shtml But you know what, if you’re not happy with your situation, change your choices.

At the beginning of the semester, I was one of the ‘complainers.’ This is the first semester that I chose to purchase a parking pass. Last year, I kept a steady supply of rolled quarters on hand for the parking meter; but this year I’m taking more classes. Economically, it made sense to purchase a pass. When I wrote out my check for the pass, I noticed the ‘hold harmless’ clause that informed me that my pass was not a guarantee of a parking place. I tucked that in the back of my mind; but didn’t realize the impact of that statement until the next morning:
“I can’t believe they’d sell me a parking pass that I can’t use.”
“I can’t believe that I may have to pay a meter on top of having this parking pass.”
“I can’t believe that I have to circle the parking lot for 20 minutes before I find a spot.”
“I can’t believe that I’m going to miss part of my class because I can’t find a spot.”
“I can’t believe that I have to wait 20 minutes to get out of the parking lot.”
These were all thoughts that entered my mind on the first day that I used my pass.

After a few weeks though, I got over my tantrum and thought reasonably about the situation. No one was forcing me to follow any particular course. Instead of driving around 20 minutes, I could choose to park on a side street. If I know that the parking police are anal and I’m two inches over the marker at the closest available spot, I could drive a block further away and just get some more exercise. If I know it takes a long time to find a spot, I could come earlier and study at school while I wait for class. If I know that right after class it’s going to take time to get out of the parking lot, I could wait and enjoy a cup of coffee until the jam has cleared.

We’re not unique, parking is a universal problem. While in Europe last summer, I wanted to attend an art exhibit in Basel, Switzerland. Checking the website for information, I was specifically warned, like at UMKC, that parking was a problem. It was suggested that I take public transportation or walk. Granted, in Kansas City, we don’t have a good public transportation system; so we don’t really have that option…yet. But we can either live with it or make choices to change our situation. The bottom line is we’re acting like spoiled brats.
In recent years, it become American nature to always blame someone else for our problems:
“I spilled coffee in my lap and it was too hot; it’s your fault McDonald’s!”
“I smoked and got cancer; it’s your fault Phillip Morris!”
“I was driving too fast and my car rolled over; it’s your fault Chevrolet!”
For some reason, Americans feel entitled. Convenience is a form of entitlement. It’s about time that we quit taking conveniences for granted. Maybe we should get a clue how the rest of the planet lives. “What do you mean Europeans don’t have dryers?”
Then we’d quit complaining.

As for me, I didn’t stay for that extra cup of coffee after class; but, I made use of my time here in this gridlock. I did some homework and wrote this blog. My 20 minutes in line is up and I’m finally heading out of the garage. Maybe next year, I’ll get smart, skip the parking pass and walk, like the rest of the planet.

Coffee and Art in the Garden

Grabbing a coffee at Latteland on the Plaza, I would often glance across the street at an ivy covered edifice that looked more like a garden garnered with statueries than an actual building. The statues had resided on top of the building for so long that one of them was even covered by an ivy afro. The eight distinctive creations by local artists, displayed such a unique, playful expression of art and blended in so well with the fabric of the neighborhood that I never even considered that their presence was illegal. According to the Landmarks Commission (see: http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/entertainment/9634483.htm) they are not welcome. Apparently, the owner didn't ask the 'right' people for permission. Recently, he has been mandated by the commission to dismantle the art installation that has provided interest for so many pedestrians through the years.

The question that the Landmarks Commission should consider is not whether Mr. Don Anderson, owner of the collection, followed the proper channels for his philanthropic gift, but rather whether it is appropriate to the building. As works of art, the statues are suitable for several different reasons. The most obvious reason is that the Plaza is host to one of the largest Art fairs in the Midwest. Embellished with a plethora of statues and fountains, the Plaza is also situated near The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kemper Museum, and the Kansas City Art Institute. Being in the vicinity of these renowned art institutions automatically lends a viable artistic sense to the neighborhood. Because of this, the essence of the area should reflect the interest and individuality expressed in art. The Plaza is not the suburb of Leawood, KS where all dwellings are regulated to sport identical shingle roofs. Instead, it is at the heart of the established art community in Kansas City. A building edifice in this neighborhood should reflect this community's sensibility. Furthermore, it is uniquely representative of Kansas City's Art. Fashioned by second year KCAI students, the installment not only shows support of local artists' work, but also advertises Kansas City's artistic educational facility.

It is ironic that the Landmarks Commission has expressed so much concern about the appearance of a building that an average pedestrian couldn't even see due to the proliferation of ivy that covers it. If the commission is that concerned about preserving and displaying the architectural integrity of the building at "Poet's Corner," then they need to pull the ivy down as well so that the design of the structure can be viewed in its entirety. As far as I'm concerned, keep the garden; keep the statues; and order me a latte' to enjoy the view!

Jazz Dance: an American Art Form

When compared to many other nations in the world, the United States is an infant. Our culture has not had as much time to establish itself. Despite the lack of time, America has developed a powerful form of self-expression in jazz dance. It is an artistic expression unique to us. From the 1960's musical "West Side Story" to present day MTV videos, jazz dance has continued to evolve and closely reflect America's pop culture.

Combining dance styles, jazz dance incorporates the syncopation of tap, the fluidity of modern and the technique of ballet. Its syncopated rhythms originated with the powerful vibrations of slave shackles that were later transferred into vaudeville tap dancers' feet pounding out these rhythms of the past. Jazz dance received its official identity from the "Father of Jazz Dance," Jack Cole. In the 1940's, he traveled abroad and studied tribal dance in Africa and in Thailand where isolated movements intrigued him. Bringing these far reaching dance ideologies back to the United States, Cole introduced his new interpretations. Viewing the pelvic movements and sexual connotations that Cole incorporated into his choreography, the general public originally considered jazz dance to be positively scandalous. Unlike modern dance which is cerebrally motivated, jazz dance reacts instinctually to the music. "Shut up and dance!" is a common war cry amongst followers. Just as modern day politics constantly challenges the established government, jazz dance reinterprets the rules set by the disciplines of classical ballet.

Hearing the term "jazz dance," one would consider this to be a form of dance done to jazz music. Quite to the contrary, it is rarely performed to jazz music. As a reflection of pop culture, jazz dance is oftentimes linked to pop music. There are several styles of this form of dance: musical theater, hip-hop, funk, Latin jazz, lyrical and Afro-Cuban. Within each of these sub-categories, there are as many interpretations as there are choreographers and dancers. Thus jazz dance continues to be a personalized form of American expression.



Past generations of professional dancers were divided into distinct categories of "classical ballet dancer" or "modern dancer." However, with the advent of jazz dance in the 1940's, another category of dance joined the realm. Since then, the world has become smaller; cultures have intersected as have the various disciplines of dance. The Joffrey Ballet dances to music by Prince and Atlanta Ballet performs with the Indigo Girls. Recently, in the performance of the "Indigo Girls Project," a young corps dancer rose in the ranks to the position of lead dancer. Aside from being an accomplished ballerina, she had extensive training in jazz. Because of her knowledge of jazz dance she was current with shifting styles. Her versatility made her more desirable as a dancer to the artistic director, choreographer and ultimately to the audience. To become a successful professional dancer, one must cross-train in all disciplines of dance and become as accomplished as the present day market demands. A jazz dancer must maintain ballet technique. For a ballet or modern dancer, studying jazz will give an artistic edge in a very difficult, demanding business.

Over the past century, ballet dance has remained faithful to a few techniques such as Vaganova, R.A.D., and Cechetti. Likewise, modern dance has reflected Horton and Martha Graham technique, for example. The wild horse in the dance world is jazz dance. It changes as quickly as the ideas of the American people. Therefore it is imperative that today's dancer stay up to date with the ever changing trends of America's form of dance.