By now most of you are probably familiar with the events that unfolded last week on the market, when a group of people decided to sit and watch blank TV’s in downtown Roanoke – for 5 minutes at lunchtime. The video coverage traveled fast and furious across the Internet and the local news circuit — ultimately finding its way to a multitude of national media outlets from MSNBC to the evening news in Boston. Yes, Boston.
While we have heard plenty of varying opinions regarding the “disobedience” of one participant and the actions of one police officer – one critical component has been both misrepresented and conspicuously ignored. Who were these people watching blank TVs?
I have heard some pretty fascinating commentary about — and labels for — the organizers and participants ranging from “these people” to “those street rats” to “crazy artists”. I have heard interviews with passers-by who suggest they “get a job” and “do what they are told”.
As a person who has worked the majority of their adult life both in and with the media – I find it simply fascinating how much of an “authority” people become when a camera or microphone is placed in front of them. In the frenzy of “getting the scoop” I watched a series of interviewers who never took the time to look at – and recognize — the faces of the participants. If they had, the story – and the spirited responses — might have had a different tone.
For starters, they would have seen my face. Yes, the very same one that appears above this column on a regular basis. No disguise. No parlor tricks. They would have seen the faces of teachers, lawyers, real estate developers, and business owners. They would have seen executive directors of arts organizations and cultural icons. They would have seen media company presidents, published authors, renowned artists, government employees and school administrators. They would have seen carpenters, music promoters, nurses and counselors. All employed. All tax payers. All artists in their own way.
Which brings me to my next question. How is it that we revere The Arts yet admonish – and in this case, arrest — Artists? How do we go from parents who celebrate the free form crayon scribbles of our children to citizens who want to squash peaceful free expression?
As I watch — in disbelief – a peaceful gathering of like-minded, well-intended people get twisted, tangled, misconstrued and misrepresented; I am struck by the irony. The irony of a community who recently unveiled a world-class art museum proudly proclaiming Roanoke “an arts, cultural and creative center”. Yet, on Valentines morning I sadly watched city employees feverishly rip from its windows – a random and beautiful act of artistic impression. Not advertisements – but simple white pieces of paper with perfectly printed pink hearts placed on windows and buildings all around town. The same sadness filled my heart last week as I stood with friends who were pleading with the officer to “allow us to explain” rather than cart a young artist off to jail.
It will likely not surprise you to hear I was a child who loved to color outside the lines – in fact, I am not sure I wanted any lines at all. Individuality is perhaps one of the greatest joys of being human – and I believe we all have something important to say. I also believe we need to consider the lens through which we view the world. So, the next time you see something “odd” or someone “different” I ask you to consider….are you looking through a lens of fear — at something you don’t understand? Or are you looking through the lens of a proud parent — at a child’s first drawing?
In either case, it really comes down to understanding and tolerance. Ideals that are universally newsworthy ….even in Boston.
