ANGELA DAVIS: ACTIVIST STILL!

Angela Davis activist for human rights since the 70s, author of 8 books, Professor Emeritus of History of Consciousness at University of California at Santa Cruz spoke to hundreds of people, some seated, some standing inside and outside of the St. Louis Christ Church Cathedral. She was here at the invitation of the Central Library in observance of Black History month.

She is still the woman I remembered. Tall, striking and still able to bring a cheering crowd to its feet. Students, people of different colors and life styles,
people young and old were stirred by her words.

She spoke of her own imprisonment for a crime she did not commit; of the need to divert funding for prisons to community-wide education and asked that the Occupy Movement work toward the goal of making all levels of education available to all people; urged that capital punishment be outlawed; and cited human and economic figures showing capital benefits and costs for each.

After she spoke, a friend asked if I thought she had changed since the 70s? No, I replied, but I have!

THREE STRIKES: YOU ARE OUT!

I have always questioned "three strikes and you are out" law because it often usurps judicial deliberation. On the other hand, I wish such a law was available to me on a recent Delta Airline flight.

All passengers were seated and the luggage stowed when the Captain announced we would be delayed. We were waiting for passengers who missed their connection from Belize to Atlanta. Fair enough. Ten minutes later, the family of seven, with five children all slipped into two rows directly in front of me when I learned they had been in Fort Lauderdale not Belize.

Our take off was delayed three more times. Each time, the Captain announced over the inaudible humming intercom that we were having "mechanical problems." We did not know what the problems were. Still, we took off and arrived an hour late in St.Louis but not before the ramp to the airport had trouble hooking up to the fuselage. Finally, we got off the plane.

We had made it safe and sound but I wish I had asked the Captain if Delta had ever heard about "three strikes and you are out!"

"A SEA OF RED"?

Recently, one of the candidates running for office described the middle part of the Country as a "Sea of Red."

When I first began to paint, I learned about the use of color. I learned there was no such thing as a "pure" color. Tints of blue, yellow, green, purple, black and even white can be found in any color including red. Since moving to Missouri, I have been exposed to the many colors and broad range of thinking of my fellow citizens. Misleading pundits and political gurus often place people who live in the Midwest, East, West, and South for that matter in a one-color landscape.

Folks, there is no such thing as a "pure" color, unless we believe that the colors of nature are "pure" and without different shades. The next time you hear of a "Sea" of any color, open your eyes and ears, take a walk outside, look at the nearest bush, squint your eyes and you may find what you are looking at is made up of many colors just as are the needs of people.

WEAKENING LINKS TO EACH OTHER?

I had the benefit of growing up close to loving grandparents. All four of them shared the same faith. Yet,the differences between them was striking. One set of grandparents accepted the doctrine and customs of their faith without question. The other set believed questioning led to greater understanding. Sometimes, this difference created a schism between them and their links to other family members.

I thought of my grandparents when I heard the news of the divide between two major organizations dedicated to serving the health of women.

Denying funding to Planned Parenthood for questionable reasons is a set back for the health of women, men and families. It also weakens America's policy for Women's Rights and our links to each other as women.

MUSIC: ANOTHER GATEWAY?

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra announced it will travel to four European cities, Berlin, Switzerland, Paris and London in September, 2012.

Supported by loyal subscribers, an innovative Music Director, accomplished musicians, prudent management and a committed Board, the Orchestra is one of few in the country that is in the black. The expenses of the four-day tour will be paid for by dedicated funds raised through the effort of the Orchestra's former chairman of the Board, Virginia Weldon, and Monsanto Co., and other anonymous donors.

At a recent concert of the Orchestra I heard Tchaikovsky
Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36 and Sibelius En saga, op.36. The music carried with it magnificent images of desire, failings, sadness and joy. Music talks to us about human experience in a universally understood language which is in itself another Gateway to overcoming differences.

THE ARTS: GATEWAY TO THE WORLD?

In September, the Pulitzer Foundation of the Arts presented "Reflections of the Buddha." Figures, paintings and delicate wall hangings from private and public collections were exhibited in the Pulitzer's magnificent museum. The exhibition was an example of faith, culture and ceremony dating from the second to the eighteenth century.

One month later from France, The St. Louis Art Museum brought together a delicate exhibition of the works of Claude Monet featuring a large scale triptych of the artist's "Water Lilies." Other works seemed to carry the bright sunshine of Monet's beloved gardens at Giverny even on cloudy St. Louis days.

Around December, "Icons in Transformation," a solo exhibit of nearly 150 works by Ludmila Pawlowska was shown at Christ Church Cathedral, the oldest Episcopal Church West of the Mississippi. Traditional Russian style Icons, also on display, were the inspirational source for the artist's own mixed technique Icons. Fabrics, metals and wood were used to inspire self-reflection.

As 2012 got underway, children displayed contemplative illustrations of their understanding of Martin Luther's famous "I have a dream" speech at the Jewish Community Center. These events reminded me that the arts provide us with gateways to better understand ourselves, others, and the world.

SURVIVING CHANGES IN BUSINESS

Recently, I came across a relatively small business established 98 years ago by an immigrant who came to this country from the Ukraine. When he arrived here he sold pots and pans from a horse and buggy. From this humble beginning he was able to establish a manufacturing business which is still operating. He retired in 1987 when he lost a leg to diabetes.

Through the years the business has provided for four generations of families and their descendants. There have been prosperous and lean years. Products have been changed to meet new trends and global competition. The CEO, a grandson who works with his father and grandfather, attributes the ability to survive by "Remaining small so we can move quickly. When the market changed we were able to meet our market's changing needs quickly."

As I listened to this family's story to build upon the skills and ethics of their ancestors, I thought of the many businesses and institutions which fail by loosing sight of both the skills and changes needed to survive in rapidly changing times.