I was stunned to read in our Feb. 25 SF Examiner online that:
San Francisco’s International Pride Orchestra says it was “disinvited” from presenting a summer Pride Celebration Concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts — the same day that President Donald Trump took control of the national cultural institution as chairman of the board of directors.
Seven months of normal negotiations preceded this precipitous "disinvitation." The "disinvitation" came close behind No. 47's tweet that the Kennedy Center was sponsoring "drag shows".
Apparently our ignorant "president" -- who on Feb 8 appointed himself Chair of the Kennedy Center to issue in a "Golden Age" -- does not know the difference between an orchestral concert and a "drag show". Nor does he know the difference between "Pride" and "drag".
Taking a close look on the website link above, at the happy photograph of those involved in this orchestra, I saw not one "drag king" or "drag queen" among those pictured. (But then, what true music lover among us would care how the musicians or conductor dresses? Is it not the music that we go to enjoy?) All I saw was a ton of happy musicians holding instruments and sharing a moment of pictoral joy with us.
The level of villany of the new US administration of sycophants, and the utter ignorance and vendetta against music (not to mention the arts, our national parks, and I could go on...) of No. 47 simply blows one's mind.
This is not the country I grew up in (born in 1943). This is not the country I want to live in. This is not the country of which I am proud any longer.
But this is the country in which I shall do my utmost to promote and support the arts, and speak up against this travesty of a "president" and his administration.
So much for the Kennedy Center being as they tout (or touted?) on their website:
a “living memorial to President John F. Kennedy.” President Kennedy is rolling in his grave and urging each one of us dedicated to music to do something! I'm starting with this blog and a letter to the Orchestra in support, then peppering my two State Senators to SPEAK UP and object, and sending email to No. 47.
You might consider boycotting and telling the Kennedy Center why you are doing so, considering its present direction and this action, as well as consider carefully where you spend your money. Check out Good Unites Us (goodunitesus.com; free unlimited info on the political donations of major companies if you download the app vs. visit them on your PC here you are limited to about five companies) to see what major businesses have decided to stop funding political campaigns (the best) and which support democratic and humanistic causes. You might consider withdrawing from Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and other oligarch-led and over-the-top money-driven businesses as I am doing.
Michael Roest, Founder & Director
Luke Spence, General Manager
No. 47
N.B. when I tried to submit an email to the White House it got stuck on the capcha that said there was an error, to try again later. Isn't that interesting? I used no swear words in the strong message I intended to send...Is any email opposing No. 47's actions or policies being excluded so that he can claim that there is a groundswell of "support" for him? There can be no doubt.
Senator Alex Padilla
Senator Adam Schiff
###
(If you resonate with this blog, please pass it on and
sign our confidential email list above with thanks!)
Comments