Masquerade at MoCA
My town of Westport Connecticut has a cherished history and reputation as a center for art and culture. The Arts Center which has existed for 50 years changed its name recently and became MoCA, the Museum of Contemporary Art.
MoCA Westport shut down in mid-March along with other institutions, schools, and almost everything else except healthcare facilities in Westport. But as Dan Woog reported a couple of days ago, “their beautiful Steinway grand piano did not sit idle.”
He said, “As part of their pandemic programming, they invited accomplished local pianists to perform. They filmed them, and shared the virtual concerts free on their YouTube page.”
Two rising seniors in high school, Patrick Looby and Lucas Lieberman, played together at Carnegie Hall in November, Dan said. For MoCA they play Aram Khachaturian’s lively waltz “Masquerade.” I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Seeing them play so earnestly with their masks on brought tears to my eyes; I don’t know why. Maybe it was the feeling of unreality that I sometimes get when seeing everyone in the drug store or the supermarket with masks on. What are we all doing with these masks? Are we playing dress-up? And that’s immediately coupled with the harsh reality of understanding!
What were they playing? Masquerade! Could it be more fitting?
Will We See Change?
I had a conversation with a black friend this afternoon, and we wondered together. Will this tumultuous time and the increase in support for Black Lives Matter lead us to significant progress in combating our 400-year history of brutalizing black people?
I am not exactly optimistic, but I am hopeful. It’s already happening, with some major corporations speaking out. Then in recent days, LeBron James, the Nascar driver, the coach, all supporting the protests and the need to acknowledge racism. (I’m not a sports fan, so excuse my spelling and not being able to name the others! Maybe you can fill me in with a comment!)
These are positive signs. Yet as my friend said, “Maybe it’s happening too quickly and won’t be sustained.”
What Are You Reading?
Books on race and anti-racism have climbed to the top of bestseller lists! Cathy, a white friend from church, asked if anyone had books she could borrow. She said her daughters, age 19 and 22, are educating her about racism right now. But she wants to know more.
I loaned her three books: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, White Like Me by Tim Wise, and The Third Reconstruction, by Rev. Dr. William Barber. She said she’ll pass them around the family. I recommend these.
Rev. Dr. Barber is holding a march on Saturday June 20th, the Poor People’s Assembly and Moral March. Tonight I listened to a service of song and speech in preparation from the Unitarian Universalist Association. The UUA has been supporting Rev. William Barber and the Poor People’s Campaign since the beginning in 2017.
I’ve registered to take part on Saturday. Will you join me?
Talking About Race Isn’t Easy
Last time I told you about my friend Gabi’s comment and my response. She really “got” white privilege by seeing the woman in Central Park threaten to call 911.
I said to Gabi that it is difficult to talk about race, but it gets easier. “For us who are white, once we accept our own privilege, it becomes less threatening.”
Should we feel guilty because we have privilege? No! But our privilege gives us a responsibility to advocate and work for change.
Rev. John said something similar in his sermon at the Unitarian Church in Westport virtual service this morning! We who are white don’t need to feel guilty about having privilege but we do need to put it to work!
Do you talk about race? Is it difficult? What could make it easier?
Discover History
The movie 13th has been on my list to watch. Last night I finally did. It’s the powerful story of the result of a loophole in the 13th amendment that says everyone is free unless convicted of a crime.
This loophole has been exploited, the filmmakers say, since the time of the amendment in 1863!
Did you know that 1 out of 4 people in prison in the world is here in the US, the land of the free? That is just one of the startling facts in this 2016 film. Michelle Alexander and other major advocates for justice relate how mass incarceration came about and the damage it does to our country.
I think this film is helpful for our education now with all the conversation about racism. Have you watched it?
