![\"Dear](\"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/audience\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/Dear-Arizona-300x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Though I love my home state, these are not proud days to be an Arizona resident.<\/span><\/p>\n I’m talking, of course, about Senate Bill 1062<\/a><\/strong>, the so-called “right-to-refuse-service” legislation that has recently passed our State Senate and House of Representatives – and is currently awaiting the sign\/veto decision of Governor Jan Brewer.<\/p>\n Over the past few days, there’s been an impressive roll call of leaders of business, tourism, economic development, religious, and many other community organizations calling for the Governor to veto this legislation<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n I applaud the leaders, companies and associations willing to take a stand on this issue. \u00a0They are absolutely correct to point out that this legislation is bad for Arizona business at many levels.<\/p>\n But let’s recognize that this hateful, bigoted, disgusting <\/strong><\/em>and shameful<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 legislation is just a symptom of an even greater problem – and, in fairness, a situation that is not-at-all unique to the State of Arizona.<\/p>\n Despite all the progress that has been made (I’m thinking everything from civil rights to technological innovation), American society still has a long way to go to recognize the value of seeing the world through other people’s eyes. \u00a0We have a long way to go to respect, appreciate and celebrate the views, cultures, ideas, lifestyles, beliefs and histories of others.<\/p>\n And honestly, that’s why I love working in the field of arts & culture.<\/p>\n We are an endeavor that is ENTIRELY about fostering creativity, engaging audiences, sharing insights, valuing diversity and (especially) about exchanging ideas. \u00a0We are a pursuit essential to the functioning of a healthy democratic society. \u00a0We pursue an American ideal!<\/p>\n I oppose this legislation, not just<\/span> because it is bad for business, but because bigotry, discrimination, fear and hate are bad for America, bad for the cause of freedom and bad for the human spirit.<\/p>\n # # #<\/p>\n Matt is on the road this Spring teaching arts & cultural leaders across the country how to get smarter, grow stronger & gain audiences. \u00a0One participant recently called his\u00a0Audiences Everywhere\u2122\u00a0workshop, \u201cMind-opening, rut-clearing, possibility renewing.\u201d \u00a0<\/em>Check out where & when:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0http:\/\/www.audienceavenue.com\/appearances\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Though I love my home state, these are not proud days to be an Arizona resident. I’m talking, of course, about Senate Bill 1062, the so-called “right-to-refuse-service” legislation that has recently passed our State Senate and House of Representatives – and is currently awaiting the sign\/veto decision of Governor Jan Brewer. Over the past few […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2216,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16,23,7,27,25],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2218","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-education","8":"category-mission","9":"category-morale","10":"category-participation","11":"category-value","12":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/audience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2218","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/audience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/audience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/audience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/audience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2218"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/audience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2218\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/audience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2216"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/audience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2218"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/audience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2218"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/audience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}