My wealthiest neighbors are worried that poor, inner city kids in Detroit might lose access to Van Gogh, Diego Rivera murals, and some truly impressive suits of armor.
They were the first to put out lawn signs in support of a new tax to "save" the Detroit Institute of Arts. Television commericals, direct mail pieces and press reports are all on message: save our museum. Detroit needs its art.
I definitely agree. Detroit needs the DIA. We've been members of the museum for years. It's a treasure for sure.
But, I can't seem to get the smell of something disingenuous out of my nose. While the DIA is a well-visited museum, open to visitors from all parts of our community, it is a rather "high brow" institution. The well-heeled patrons sponsoring the current media blitz, the only ones who could afford hosting a private reception in the Rivera courtyard, say they are looking out for the best interests of the larger community. After all, "Art is for everyone!"
And, I guess, since art is for everyone, it's only fair that everyone pays through higher taxes to keep the DIA's doors open. Hmm. I guess.
If only there weren't the obvious inconsistencies in this message that no one, I mean NO ONE other than Pat Caputo from sports radio has bothered to point out.
Where were these high minded community voices when the nation's oldest aquarium on Belle Isle was closing--guess fish aren't for everyone. Or where were their voices when our president was fighting to provide health insurance to the uninsured--guess affordable medical care isn't for everyone, either.
I understand we all have our passions--and we work to promote those things that we find meaningful. However, when one says, this passion in so important, that the entire community should support it through public funds, then it's important to step back and ask, "why?" Or, better yet, in a time when first responders are being asked to take pay cuts, when public parks and community health programs are being trimmed, we need to prioritize. Is art really more important than, say, prenatal screening programs? Should the DIA flourish while the State Fair grounds remain shuttered?
I love art. But I also love healthy communities. I love the world's largest cast iron stove. And I also miss the electric eel. Maybe the drive to "save" the DIA might encourage my neighbors to throw their impressive credentials and deep pockets to save other important treasures still in danger in the Detroit area. Or maybe, having saved the Roman statues, the Persian rugs, and the ivory carvings from being auctioned at Christie's, they can go back to criticizing poor people for needing public assistance, cash strapped municipalities for their wasteful spending and generally complaining about high taxes.
Maybe if Medicaid had a museum?
They were the first to put out lawn signs in support of a new tax to "save" the Detroit Institute of Arts. Television commericals, direct mail pieces and press reports are all on message: save our museum. Detroit needs its art.
I definitely agree. Detroit needs the DIA. We've been members of the museum for years. It's a treasure for sure.
But, I can't seem to get the smell of something disingenuous out of my nose. While the DIA is a well-visited museum, open to visitors from all parts of our community, it is a rather "high brow" institution. The well-heeled patrons sponsoring the current media blitz, the only ones who could afford hosting a private reception in the Rivera courtyard, say they are looking out for the best interests of the larger community. After all, "Art is for everyone!"
And, I guess, since art is for everyone, it's only fair that everyone pays through higher taxes to keep the DIA's doors open. Hmm. I guess.
If only there weren't the obvious inconsistencies in this message that no one, I mean NO ONE other than Pat Caputo from sports radio has bothered to point out.
Where were these high minded community voices when the nation's oldest aquarium on Belle Isle was closing--guess fish aren't for everyone. Or where were their voices when our president was fighting to provide health insurance to the uninsured--guess affordable medical care isn't for everyone, either.
I understand we all have our passions--and we work to promote those things that we find meaningful. However, when one says, this passion in so important, that the entire community should support it through public funds, then it's important to step back and ask, "why?" Or, better yet, in a time when first responders are being asked to take pay cuts, when public parks and community health programs are being trimmed, we need to prioritize. Is art really more important than, say, prenatal screening programs? Should the DIA flourish while the State Fair grounds remain shuttered?
I love art. But I also love healthy communities. I love the world's largest cast iron stove. And I also miss the electric eel. Maybe the drive to "save" the DIA might encourage my neighbors to throw their impressive credentials and deep pockets to save other important treasures still in danger in the Detroit area. Or maybe, having saved the Roman statues, the Persian rugs, and the ivory carvings from being auctioned at Christie's, they can go back to criticizing poor people for needing public assistance, cash strapped municipalities for their wasteful spending and generally complaining about high taxes.
Maybe if Medicaid had a museum?
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