No Government Funds for Art
To The Editors:
In reference to Linda Brown’s “Art Wishes 2002” (CL, January 2), I understand that it is important to some to have a “World Class City,” but my question is why is it so important for the arts community to receive financial support from our local government? If Ms. Brown truly believes that having increased funding would help the arts community, why doesn’t she start working on a marketing plan to increase donations from the private sector and the business community? I also believe that our sports teams need to look to the private sector and/or business community to get their funding for a new arena.
How can you have a “World Class City” when your state public school system, which is ranked 47th out of 50 states, is so poor?
Phil Posey
Charlotte
Lucy and the Limits
of Lingo
To The Editors:
I was disappointed and dismayed to see the gauche colloquialism “pissed. . .off” featured in the subhead taken from Ms. Lucy Perkins’ recent article “2001: An Earth Odyssey” (CL, January 2). Come on now! Am I missing something or aren’t journalists and opinion writers supposed to elucidate issues with their articulate use of the English language? Is this the best we can do? A suggestion to Creative Loafing — do your readers a favor and give Ms. Perkins a leave of absence so she can go back to school and study the art of writing.
Matthew Alexander
Charlotte
Editors’ Reply: Sorry, but yes, you’re missing something. Mainly, two decades’ worth of developments in the alternative press’ embracing of the national vernacular. Lucy Perkins, by the way, is a high school English teacher.
Life’s Not Black
and White
To The Editors:
In regard to “The More Things Change. . .” (by Tara Servatius, January 2), I fail to see Ms. Servatius’ “inherent level of humanity” when she can dismiss all human nature to “consumption and production.” How tidy if life were that black and white. Alcoholism, mental illness, poverty and crime are being dealt with every day by people with the compassion and tolerance of her neighbor Jim. This involves more than a passing fascination with the “social laboratory” she calls her neighborhood, while she waits to make a less “immediate” but surely larger profit on her house.
In both neighborhoods, where you “pay to believe” certain things and much less affluent ones than hers, there is more to humanity than meets the eye on the street. Gentrification sounds like the solution to Tara when it really only helps those who profit from it.
Having been on both sides of the dollar, the bottle and the law, I have witnessed hope in the heart of recovered alcoholics, social workers, police and medical people. But it rarely exists where profit is the motive.
I am glad that, for now, Tara has conveniently defined humanity. I hope she never falls prey to addiction, illness or poverty. She may have to realize that answers aren’t in the categories of blame, guilt or pity and especially not turning a buck. Rather, they lie in people taking action. I would be glad to help Tara if any of these “societal ills” befall her. There is a “damn thing anyone can do about it!”
Bruce DeBoer
Charlotte
Matt’s Georgia Fan
To The Editors:
Matt Brunson’s astute, frank, honest and intelligent reviews are far better than those of most national critics. Creative Loafing readers, by and large, are savvy filmgoers and he is clearly on their plane, without being too lofty. So kudos to Matt.
Thomas Huffstetler
Savannah, GA
No Shortage of Cruelty
To The Editors:
Thanks for the great article in this week’s Creative Loafing, “Standing Tall” (by Sam Boykin, January 9). Jim Gildersleeve used to work in my building downtown, so it was nice to get to know him a little more. I hope the article will challenge people to think twice before making fun of someone based on how they look, dress, etc. People were so cruel to me when I was overweight several years back. I was 240 pounds and if I hadn’t taken action, I would probably be 300 pounds today. I can’t even imagine having to deal with day to day ridicule or staring, for something you can’t even control.
Good job!
Wes Connell
Mint Hill
This article appears in Jan 19-25, 2002.
