I was merely referring to Mbo's comments about black-wearing, pseudo-angst-ridden "artistes" and making "happy" art, etc. I only wanted to distinguish myself from the stereotype of many so-called "activist artistes" that mostly whine a lot and make predominantly gray/black paintings that are about as creative and meaningful as my 4-year-old cousin's fingerpaintings. I have nothing against happy art or, for that matter, ANY art that has constructive meaning. If art that portrays/speaks out against the bad of society is UNhappy art, then so be it, but that doesn't in and of itself make it useless or futile.

I think perhaps that a few people misconstrued what I've said, so here I will clarify:

1. Society is not bad, per se. It could use a lot of improvement in some areas, but as a whole, society is better now than ever before.

2. I do believe that the opinions of youth everywhere, not only in America, are disregarded by a lot of adults who think they know what's best for us. However, I also believe that most of the adults who are like that have only the best of intentions.

3. I have never, and will never, believed that anyone is beyond redemption or that society is hopelessly unchangeable(sp?). However, there is only a limited time in which to act before things DO become unchangeable.

4. I will always maintain that personal freedom in America is quickly disappearing. The right to bear arms is eroding, surely. Free speech has become severely limited also, especially in the wake of recent school violence--I know that I have to be very careful at my school of what I say and who I say it to, because any (even joking or hypothetical) comment could be misconstrued if it reaches the wrong ears. Freedom of religion exists, but where I come from my agnosticism (note: not ATHEISM) is definitely frowned upon and I always have people pushing their views on me. I will say, that in large part this loss of freedom is not due to any government interference so is perfectly constitutional and that by the same token bigots have the same rights that they deny others; however, I do wish that people would simply allow everyone the same rights and freedoms that some take to extremes. NO ONE has the right to badger others about their ideals. To each their own is what I say--An ye harm none, do as ye will.

In short, I think that there are too many restrictions on people in general. I mean, there is even a fairly large group of people who don't even have the right to become legally espoused to who they want to. (hopefully that will not start an entirely different argument--that is only an example of a major personal freedom that has been denied to some people).

I would appreciate it, though, if everyone could keep this conversation as civil as possible. I never meant to start an argument--only a discussion.

Peace--Bridget