When Orlando happened, I felt numb. Facebook flooded with thoughts & prayers. CNN non stop reporting. But Mohammed Ali died only days before. And Prince. And a child was snatched by an alligator. And there was a shooting. And a shooting. And a shooting. Hate spewed from people in high places against immigrants & people of color and women, gay bashing and on and on. A college co-ed was raped and the guy gets a 6 month slap on the wrist. Guns and AK 17s & 47s and wtf. I was numb. Speechless. I said nothing. How can this all be? In America…where the people I meet are mostly very very good. And kind. Loving. Look me in the eyes. And smile. And meet me with the kindness I meet them with. Not always, but mostly. I was dumbfounded. How can I feel nothing. All I knew was that I was hungry for my paints. And paint I did. I cannot tell you what I am saying. I am saying a lot. But sometimes there are absolutely no words. And thankfully I have my canvas. And when I finished today, my thoughts were completely the title: NO H8: You will not Steal my Heart. That is what I have to say. I send love. I send hope. I send me, into the Universe. It’s the best I can do. I am present as a voice against oppression and wrong doing. Against stupid gun laws. I send love.
And as an aside, when I visited Terezin concentration camp in the Czech Republic several years back, I was struck by the artwork found hidden that the children of Terezin had created. There was sad art, but also hopeful art of butterflies and a life that lived inside of them, if not in the present. The greed of hate can not take it all away—I send love. LOVE LOVE LOVE
The art below are several images from the children of Terezin: