claybair on wed 25 sep 02
Very well stated Lily....... thank you.
Perhaps it is because we have as you stated "become so conditioned to this
deranged form of instant gratification, that we do not ask exactly why a
sculpture had to be provided by the first anniversary of Sept. 11." that we
do not have to wait 10 years or more to accept the reality & horror of what
happened a year ago.
It might not be so deranged but more a product of evolution. We have never
had such instant communication before.... there were no special reports,
cable news and live reporting during WW II..... Do you think if we had
watched a live report of our soldiers walking into those concentration camps
there would be any question that it did indeed occur. If I recall correctly
one of the first things the US soldiers did was make the local townspeople
face what they had denied by making them help dispose of the masses of dead
bodies.
I personally do not believe being silent for an extended period of time
about a traumatic issue is therapeutic in any way. Spending years in denial
or wishing it didn't happen is equally harmful.
A lot of reporters/networks have ethical and moral issues and I think that
is what is deranged not the fact that we have access to events as they
happen. Our communications systems are going through evolution too. It is my
hope that the "deranged" aspects of the system get left behind.
For that reason I did and do not find it inappropriate that there were
memorials only a year after the event.
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Lily Krakowski
It is too bad, and yet quite wonderful, that the NY sculpture is causing so
much controversy. It is however, inevitable, because in situations such as
Sept 11, pain and sorrow and rage become all mixed up together; and where
some howl, some weep, and others scream.
Having now seen the image of the sculpture I find it too imitative to be
striking. And did we had not been told what it was about, would not be
shocked.
However what bothers me, and I think bothers some who have denounced it, is
the rushing into print aspect. As soon as a disaster occurs there is some
reporter with a team of photographers pushing microphones and cameras into
people's faces: "How do you feel, Joe, having your classmates machine
gunned by a maniac? " How do you feel, Mrs X. now that the raped and mangled
body of your six year old has been found?"
It is gross, it is absurd. And yet we have become so conditioned to this
deranged form of instant gratification, that we do not ask exactly why a
sculpture had to be provided by the first anniversary of Sept. 11. How long
did it take for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to be put up? Or the
Vietnam Memorial Wall?
I think it was Elie Wiesel who thought there should be ten years of silence
before people spoke of the Holocaust. He was on the right track.
I think that what is causing such strong disagreament and argument is that
we all still are bewildered with pain, and not yet used to its reality and
permanence.
Lili Krakowski
P.O. Box #1
Constableville, N.Y.
(315) 942-5916/ 397-2389
Be of good courage....
Lily Krakowski on wed 25 sep 02
It is too bad, and yet quite wonderful, that the NY sculpture is causing so
much controversy. It is however, inevitable, because in situations such as
Sept 11, pain and sorrow and rage become all mixed up together; and where
some howl, some weep, and others scream.
Having now seen the image of the sculpture I find it too imitative to be
striking. And did we had not been told what it was about, would not be
shocked.
However what bothers me, and I think bothers some who have denounced it, is
the rushing into print aspect. As soon as a disaster occurs there is some
reporter with a team of photographers pushing microphones and cameras into
people's faces: "How do you feel, Joe, having your classmates machine
gunned by a maniac? " How do you feel, Mrs X. now that the raped and mangled
body of your six year old has been found?"
It is gross, it is absurd. And yet we have become so conditioned to this
deranged form of instant gratification, that we do not ask exactly why a
sculpture had to be provided by the first anniversary of Sept. 11. How long
did it take for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to be put up? Or the
Vietnam Memorial Wall?
I think it was Elie Wiesel who thought there should be ten years of silence
before people spoke of the Holocaust. He was on the right track.
I think that what is causing such strong disagreament and argument is that
we all still are bewildered with pain, and not yet used to its reality and
permanence.
Lili Krakowski
P.O. Box #1
Constableville, N.Y.
(315) 942-5916/ 397-2389
Be of good courage....
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