{"id":142,"date":"2022-11-01T12:01:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-01T12:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/?p=142"},"modified":"2022-10-25T05:34:38","modified_gmt":"2022-10-25T05:34:38","slug":"can-the-nonprofit-arts-sector-solve-whopper-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2022\/11\/01\/can-the-nonprofit-arts-sector-solve-whopper-syndrome\/","title":{"rendered":"Can the Nonprofit Arts Sector Solve Whopper Syndrome?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A couple of thoughts as we close the election season of 2022\u2014thoughts that the nonprofit arts community might be able address if they were so inclined. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Are you so inclined?)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re 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 dollars of federal spending led to inflation, which, in turn, collapsed the markets. You might believe that the Democratic Party and its evil overlord, Joseph Robinette Biden, insisted that gasoline prices inflate to $60.00 a gallon or more, milk prices increased by 400%, and eggs are now $12.99 apiece and sold individually. You might believe that only white republicans and Herschel Walker tell the truth, no one is gunning for your right to your own body, and past indecencies and lies against people with less power are a birthright, and therefore unpunishable for people like you. Oh, and that guns solve everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why? Because, in America, it\u2019s legal to lie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unethical? Sure. Unambivalently evil? Absolutely. Unworthy of public office? Without a doubt. But illegal? First Amendment, pal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also legal to believe lies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They make people feel better. Let\u2019s call it Whopper Syndrome: we know Whoppers are bad for us, and yet, in the shortest possible term, Whoppers make us feel better. Later, though, Whoppers cause pain, acid reflux, and sleepiness. In the long term, Whoppers are likely to kill us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That must be why lies are often called Whoppers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Facts are immaterial in a political race. They\u2019re annoying to political hacks, which is why the republican party came up with the idea of \u201calternative facts,\u201d which was pooh-poohed by anyone with a brain\u2014and accepted by the tinfoil hat crowd that, you know, \u201ctoured\u201d the capitol on January 6, 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is some October 2022 year-over-year data on inflation, provided by the nonpartisan U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, to prove that point:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Incidentally, wages in the United States are up 8.57%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And let\u2019s also remember that there was this, oh, I forget, what was it called again? Oh, right, a global pandemic health crisis that destroyed the economy, closed doors of shops all over the country, and wreaked havoc and death to millions of Americans. Millions died, millions more were infected, and thousands of businesses were lost. That\u2019s who the trillions were supposed to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, many larger businesses made profits. And with fewer competitors, the significant companies measured on the stock exchanges did quite well. At least, until those evil Democratic Party officials gave and loaned money through emergency grant programs to the people. \u201cUnfair,\u201d they screamed. \u201cWe deserve that money,\u201d they yelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And some of them even took it, even though they weren\u2019t supposed to, and still<\/em> laid off their employees.<\/a> And then, during Overlord Biden\u2019s term, the stock market tanked. \u201cSee? We told you,\u201d said the big business lie-sayers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

American memories are notoriously horrible. The average person \u201cjust wants to be left alone and raise my kids,\u201d and doesn\u2019t care if others are not given that same right. And this is why despots and their followers win elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Republicans say, \u201cjust vote for us, and everything will be fine.\u201d Democrats say, \u201cjust vote for us, and we\u2019ll make things better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Republicans say, \u201cdon\u2019t vote for them; they only make things better for other people, and you\u2019ll end up paying for it.\u201d Democrats say, \u201cnuh-uh.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the rich get richer<\/a>. 5% of Americans own 67% of all the wealth in America. The bottom 90% own 20% of that same pie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if you\u2019re Black or Latinx, the numbers are even worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe median Black family, with just over $3,500, owns just 2 percent of the wealth of the nearly $147,000 the median White family owns, according to our \u2018Racial Wealth Divide\u2019 report. The median Latino family, with just over $6,500, owns just 4 percent of the wealth of the median White family. Put differently, the median White family has 41 times more wealth than the median Black family and 22 times more wealth than the median Latino family.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013Institute for Policy Studies<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All over America, people of any color except white are nodding and saying to themselves, \u201cYeah, I know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The former president, a guy who lost the popular vote 3 times, once infamously said to Black Americans, \u201cVote for me. What have you got to lose?\u201d That must have worked, because he got elected, and so did a whole passel of like-minded republicans. Odds are, republicans are going to take over the majority of the House of Representatives, because, if you\u2019ve already forgotten, American memories are notoriously horrible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Could it be, that when workers started to stand up for themselves and demanded a living wage, that large companies (still making oodles of profits) raised the prices on everything just to keep their economic power? Moving the economic goal posts, as it were? After all, if you\u2019re a billionaire, who cares if eggs cost more?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hmm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe I\u2019m the one with the tinfoil hat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

I can\u2019t help but wondering where the nonprofit arts organizations are in all of this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Where are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you paying the same wage to everyone doing an equivalent job? Who\u2019s defining the equivalency? Are you still toadying up to the same people who profited during the pandemic? During the last administration? Is your programming affected by those same people?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you doing anything<\/em> to ensure that the next two years (or six years) will not be dominated by obstructionist policies, throwing sand in the gears of democracy, and destroying the lives of everyone who doesn\u2019t have at least a half million dollars in disposable income? Do you mistakenly believe that your art can\u2019t be political because, somehow, nonprofits aren\u2019t allowed to engage in politics? (They can; they just can\u2019t lobby for a specific candidate. That\u2019s all.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or are you doing something about it? If so, tell someone! <\/em>If not, why not?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Vote. Until something better comes along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Based in Kirkland, Washington, <\/em>Alan Harrison<\/em><\/a> is a writer and speaker specializing in nonprofit organizations, strategy, the arts, and life politics. His columns appear regularly in major publications. Contact him directly at <\/em>alan@501c3.guru.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re feeling generous or inspired, just <\/em>click on the coffee cup<\/em><\/a> above. You don\u2019t have to, of course, but if you can afford it and find some value here, please provide the desperate need for caffeine.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alan is always looking for good opportunities to write and consult for nonprofits that need a hand. And, of course, that elusive <\/em>Perfect Opportunity\u2122.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

BIG NEWS: Alan\u2019s new book, \u201cScene Change: Why Nonprofit Arts Organization Must Stop Producing Art and Start Producing Impact\u201d will be published within the next eleven months by Changemakers Books<\/a>. Stay tuned for information on how you can buy a copy.<\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A couple of thoughts as we close the election season of 2022\u2014thoughts that the nonprofit arts community might be able address if they were so inclined.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"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":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,20,22,24,19,18,17],"tags":[38,36,37],"class_list":{"0":"post-142","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-arts-and-culture","7":"category-board-of-directors","8":"category-board-of-trustees","9":"category-freedom-of-speech","10":"category-leadership","11":"category-nonprofit","12":"category-nonprofit-arts-organizations","13":"tag-38","14":"tag-election","15":"tag-usa","16":"entry","17":"has-post-thumbnail"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1079,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2024\/11\/05\/why-does-transforming-a-country-of-donwanus-takes-just-as-much-effort-than-transforming-a-nonprofit-arts-industry-of-donwanus\/","url_meta":{"origin":142,"position":0},"title":"Why Does Transforming a Country of D\u014dnW\u00e4n\u00fcs Take Just as Much Effort Than Transforming a Nonprofit Arts Industry of D\u014dnW\u00e4n\u00fcs?","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"November 5, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Today is election day. Elect to quash the D\u014dnW\u00e4n\u00fcs and their toxicity.","rel":"","context":"In "Arts and Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Arts and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/category\/arts-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/I-donwanu.jpg?fit=1000%2C952&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/I-donwanu.jpg?fit=1000%2C952&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/I-donwanu.jpg?fit=1000%2C952&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/I-donwanu.jpg?fit=1000%2C952&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":757,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2024\/02\/13\/nonprofit-arts-organizations-you-missed-the-point-again\/","url_meta":{"origin":142,"position":1},"title":"Nonprofit Arts Organizations: You Missed the Point. Again.","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"February 13, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Yes, you're a nonprofit. Big deal. Like tennis, if you don't serve well, it's your fault.","rel":"","context":"In "Arts and Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Arts and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/category\/arts-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Tennis-ball-into-the-net.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Tennis-ball-into-the-net.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Tennis-ball-into-the-net.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Tennis-ball-into-the-net.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Tennis-ball-into-the-net.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":457,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2023\/06\/20\/warning-the-following-column-was-completely-written-by-a-i-as-such-it-should-terrify-you\/","url_meta":{"origin":142,"position":2},"title":"Warning: The Following Column Was Completely Written by A.I. As Such, It Should Terrify You.","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"June 20, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"For my nonprofit arts colleagues worldwide who are agonizing over whether they might be replaced, be assured. You likely will.","rel":"","context":"In "Arts and Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Arts and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/category\/arts-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Enhanced-AI-typing.jpg?fit=1200%2C711&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Enhanced-AI-typing.jpg?fit=1200%2C711&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Enhanced-AI-typing.jpg?fit=1200%2C711&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Enhanced-AI-typing.jpg?fit=1200%2C711&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Enhanced-AI-typing.jpg?fit=1200%2C711&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":809,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2024\/03\/19\/nonprofit-arts-marketing-drive-for-image-first-the-road-to-revenue-follows\/","url_meta":{"origin":142,"position":3},"title":"Nonprofit Arts Marketing \u2013 Drive for Image First; The Road to Revenue Follows","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"March 19, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"So, here\u2019s the scoop on nonprofit arts marketing: it\u2019s about crafting and trumpeting the image of the organization, not \u201csell tickets.\u201d Tickets are a byproduct.","rel":"","context":"In "Arts and Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Arts and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/category\/arts-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/pexels-lisa-fotios-3616628.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/pexels-lisa-fotios-3616628.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/pexels-lisa-fotios-3616628.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/pexels-lisa-fotios-3616628.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/pexels-lisa-fotios-3616628.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":291,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2023\/03\/28\/nonprofit-arts-organization-boards-an-epilogue\/","url_meta":{"origin":142,"position":4},"title":"Nonprofit Arts Organization Boards: An Epilogue","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"March 28, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"If you are a nonprofit arts board member, you have a chance to build something great. And no, the best way is not to copy your fellow arts organizations.","rel":"","context":"In "Arts and Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Arts and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/category\/arts-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Build-a-Board-Workshop.jpg?fit=1200%2C643&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Build-a-Board-Workshop.jpg?fit=1200%2C643&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Build-a-Board-Workshop.jpg?fit=1200%2C643&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Build-a-Board-Workshop.jpg?fit=1200%2C643&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Build-a-Board-Workshop.jpg?fit=1200%2C643&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":607,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2023\/11\/07\/cmon-now-its-not-the-end-of-the-world-for-the-nonprofit-arts-sector\/","url_meta":{"origin":142,"position":5},"title":"C\u2019mon, Now. It\u2019s Not the End of the World for the Nonprofit Arts Sector.","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"November 7, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Blame is meaningless. The solution is obvious. You just have to want to change. (Oh right. That.)","rel":"","context":"In "Arts and Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Arts and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/category\/arts-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/the-wheel-of-blame.jpg?fit=1200%2C650&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/the-wheel-of-blame.jpg?fit=1200%2C650&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/the-wheel-of-blame.jpg?fit=1200%2C650&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/the-wheel-of-blame.jpg?fit=1200%2C650&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/the-wheel-of-blame.jpg?fit=1200%2C650&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=142"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":174,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142\/revisions\/174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=142"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=142"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}