Toward a Dallas Arts Movement Enterprise:
Substance and Structure
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Matthew C. Stelly, Director of Development and Promotions
TeCo Theatrical Productions
Why shouldn’t Dallas spearhead a national arts consciousness movement? This is a city that waits for no one when it comes to being on the cutting edge of architectural development, urban growth and, yes, cultural diversity. What city is better prepared when it comes to the perfect combination of that diversity, size and talent than the second largest city in the Lone Star state? The arts are in need of a shot in the arm and the point of this brief essay is to explain why the formation of the Dallas Arts Movement Enterprise (DAME) could be the catalyst for a national re-appreciation of the arts, in general.
There is an excellent publication being circulated titled, “Dallas Arts Advocacy Day,” and the information was presented by the Dallas Cultural Affairs Commission and the Dallas Area Cultural Advocacy Coalition. What is proposed here is geared toward the visionary and long-term: “commissions” are usually just that – commissioned. And despite the good work that they might do, they are usually beholden to a singular thrust or direction. Coalitions, by their very formation, are short-term and even with good intentions and accomplishments, the short-term is one reason why the arts are now vulnerable to and victims of budget cuts from the Federal government which, in turn, trickle down to local entities.
A “movement” is what is needed, one that not only raises consciousness but also includes a built- in strategy for struggle. Nathan Hare taught long ago that any successful movement has four components: an ideology, communications, organization, and resources. There is no doubt that the Dallas arts community ranks near the top in all of these. But there is another prong that I believe a city this great must practice and promote if the arts are going to have a long-term life: tenacity.
The invoke the word “tenacious” in a discussion of the arts appears to be an oxymoron at first glance. It merely means, “stubbornly unyielding.” We tend to take the arts for granted because those of us who are artists believe that like the gifts we have been given, the support of the arts will spring eternal. We could not be more wrong.
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Donations For Gustav Victims Made Easy
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WASHINGTON - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging people who want to help hurricane victims in the GulfCoast to make financial donations through voluntary organizations that are active in the ongoing disaster operations.
"Americans across the country want to offer aid to those displaced from their homes," said FEMA Administrator David Paulison. "There are many ways to help but we are asking that, until the affected areas are safe to go back into, those Americans who want to help do so through donations to the many non-profit organizations that are serving the citizens impacted by Hurricane Gustav."
Those who wish to provide assistance to support disaster relief efforts are encouraged to contact the voluntary agency of their choice that they may normally contribute to in times of disaster. For those who don't know who to reach, there is an easy way to provide financial support, donate time and skills or donate needed products. The National Donations Management Network is a Web-based system where individuals and the private sector can offer their support online to the voluntary organizations that are actively engaged in the ongoing disaster.
FEMA works in partnership with the affected states, the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD), the Aidmatrix Foundation and the private sector to direct donation offers to voluntary agencies in need as they support the thousands of displaced people. FEMA and Aidmatrix entered into a cooperative agreement, in 2006, to develop this donations management network. The Aidmatrix Foundation offers an online way to connect private sector or individuals wanting to offer support to the leading organizations in humanitarian relief.
The National Donations Management Network is located at www.fema.gov/donations. Visitors to this site have the option to direct their donation to national level voluntary agencies or directly to the affected GulfCoast states who are managing their own state aid portals.
For information on the voluntary agencies that play a vital role in disaster recovery, visit the NVOAD site at www.NVOAD.org.
For more information on the overall response to Hurricane Gustav, visit www.fema.gov.
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BLACKONOMICS:
The Economics of a Healthy Lifestyle
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By. James Clingman
NNPA Columnist
In today’s couch potato, video game, microwave, drive thru, grab-a-bite-and-go society, Black people, in particular, must pay more attention to its detriments to our health and the economics of it all.
We must improve our lives, economically and physically, in order to survive and thrive; we must build strong communities; and we must educate ourselves and our children, understanding what lies ahead if we fail to make some serious changes in our lives. We must develop and commit to all-around healthier lifestyles.
What is the connection between economics and health? A healthy economy and a healthy people are interdependent. African-Americans must have both; after all, we are at the bottom of most, if not all, health and economic categories. If we use our dollars to facilitate a healthier lifestyle, we will rise in those categories that have us dying faster than other groups, being predisposed to certain diseases, and being subjected to neighborhood shysters and profiteers who sell us everything except what our bodies really need to be healthy.
Some would say this is a Catch 22. We can’t have good economic health without healthy bodies, because if you are sick you cannot earn a living. The other side says you can’t have good physical health if you lack the economic resources to make appropriate food purchases. Indeed, there is truth in both statements, however, that can be changed with a little sacrifice.
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Republican Convention Gets Turbulent Start Due to Hurricane Gustav |
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By. Hazel Trice Edney
NNPA Editor-in-Chief
WASHINGTON (NNPA) – The Republican National Convention – set to make the second nomination of a woman as vice president of the United States this week - was back on schedule Tuesday after a lull early this week due to Hurricane Gustav in the Gulf Coast.
President Bush was set to speak Tuesday night after Presidential nominee John McCain temporarily called for a scaled back convention while waiting to determine the damages of Hurricane Gustav. McCain was set to make his acceptance speech on Thursday.
Although the damage and affects of the hurricane were unpredictable at that time, Republican spokesman Sean Conner said McCain called for sensitivity over politics.
“We are being sensitive to states that are being evacuated. And this is not the time for politics. This is a time for us to be in service to our country and in service to people who have been affected,” Conner said.
McCain’s response to Hurricane Gustav contrasts him with the Bush Administration, which was strongly criticized three years ago for its slow response to victims of Hurricane Katrina.
In remarks released on Monday, President Bush said, ''The coordination on this storm is a lot better than...during Katrina. A lot of it had to do with the governors. Yesterday I was on the video conference with the Governors of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. There was clearly a spirit of sharing assets, of listening to somebody's problems and saying, how can we best address them? The federal government is very much involved in helping the states. Our job is to assist.''
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