No, he doesn't. As an artist and like others of the same ilk, he doesn’t feel the need or find mainstream acceptance an issue. We wouldn’t be talking about this if that were the case. I have noticed that the anger seems necessary for him to stay on track with his purpose. The "on" button begins when he opens his eyes. He gets distracted easily in conversation, but you can't distract his perception of the naysayers, ever.
Oh, and welcome to the canvass, by the way.
To Lewis, there are those who support his art and those who don't support his art, or, those who like his art, or those who don't like his art. This brings to light again the fact that Lewis’s art stretches further than his yard, into the community, in his daily swagger. I have suggested before that Lewis is his art--that his cause and advocacy are part of the display work--that this forum post is a sinew of its outreach.
That said, you either like Lewis or you don't. And since coming to terms with something like this requires patience, understanding and the sorting of some fairly complex ideology--once you've done the work and all of the hoops have been jumped through--once you relieve yourself of the bias, prejudice and intolerance--then you might be ready to make the jump.
Be careful with the "what has he done for me lately" dialog. Time and history indicate that this sort of retort traditionally proves to be conflictive. Not wanting to back step here, but we have already covered the fact that he doesn’t have any regrets. In fact, any attempt to get him to resolve what he feels the naysayers have done ....well, he'll have nothing of it.
2 comments:
Without labeling Mr. Greenberg's displays, let's remember that there are limits to personal freedoms and those are enforced by laws, ordinances, codes, etc. Yes, even freedom of speech is tempered. One can't shout through a bull horn on their front lawn at midnight, even if they are reciting the declaration of independence. That would be called disturbing the peace and what he's displaying in his front yard is, in many ways, disturbing the peace of this municipality. Whatever you do that impacts others, becomes the business of those impacted. Mr. Greenberg, an educated man, should be well aware of laws/rules, etc. that exist for the "greater good". Let him put his art in the Holocaust Museum, or other appropriate venue, where those who wish to see it can do so. His motives come into question at this point. Would he mind if his neighbors displayed the Swastika, painted their house with Swastikas, and put up picturs of Hitler in their front yard, posters with Nazi propaganda? How about a floodlight at night illuminating Hitler's photograph? How about that for personal freedom? Mr. Greenberg isn't using his common sense and is apparently totally insensitive to the financial loss he has caused his neighbors. Friendly persuasion has failed and now it's time for the courts to support those adversely affected by this man's freedom.
Very nice post. My retort above.
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