Guilty, as charged. Snark and sarcasm are very powerful, passive-aggressive tools to show how supremely intelligent, talented, and attractive you are. (See what I did there?) It doesn’t translate well to the page, as I am well aware. You have to point out the mockery, else a reader may take it as an actual feeling. I should know, because I’ve done it too many times … [Read more...] about That Moment When Impolitic Damage Impairs Your Influence
Freedom of Speech
Can the Nonprofit Arts Sector Solve Whopper Syndrome?
A couple of thoughts as we close the election season of 2022—thoughts that the nonprofit arts community might be able address if they were so inclined. (Are you so inclined?) If you’re a resident of the United States, after watching the political ads that have assaulted the airwaves during the fall, you might be inclined to believe that an unprecedented trillions of … [Read more...] about Can the Nonprofit Arts Sector Solve Whopper Syndrome?
Why the Van Gogh Assault Matters to Nonprofit Arts Organizations
It's not what you think. On October 14, 2022, in Room 43 of the National Gallery in London, at approximately 11:00am, protesters threw tomato soup at a Van Gogh painting of sunflowers. It drenched the glass that protects the painting, something the protesters took into account before embarking on Tomato-gate. Pronounced “tō-mäʹ-tō-gāt.” In retaliation, I have thrown … [Read more...] about Why the Van Gogh Assault Matters to Nonprofit Arts Organizations
Nonprofit Arts Organizations: Just Because Something Is Absurd Doesn’t Make It Offensive, Does It?
The La Brea Tar Pits translates to “The The Tar Tar Pits.” The Los Angeles Angels translates to “The The Angels Angels.” Both of these items are well-known jokes to most Angelenos. But are they racially insensitive, somehow? Should someone who says these things out loud be pilloried for allegedly making fun of (and therefore, disrespecting) the Latinx culture…when they’re … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Organizations: Just Because Something Is Absurd Doesn’t Make It Offensive, Does It?