When I stopped by L&B for some groceries, it appeared they hadn’t read the memo from the federal government. This is a business we happily support.
Category: Resist
Pride in a challenging time
It was time to bring out our Everyone is Awesome LEGO model for Pride Month. This year, it feels less like a celebration and more about asking what we can do to stand up to the discrimination flooding out of Washington.
Kobe: art, architecture, and a look at history
Visited the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art in Kobe, designed by Tadao Ando. I always feel at peace in Ando’s buildings. Walked around galleries featuring Ando’s building models and timeline. Took a look at a large Paul Klee retrospective, his Bauhaus pieces particularly resonated with me. His work was condemned as degenerate in 1930’s Germany and was confiscated from museums. In the USA we’re on the thin end of that wedge.
An evening with Dianne Reeves
Walked over to the Annenberg Theater in downtown Palm Springs for a concert with jazz singer, Dianne Reeves. We first saw her in Minneapolis at Orchestra Hall, maybe 15 years ago, and we often play her music at home. She has evolved well over the years: more innovative, more energy, and more of an edge, including a political message to hold onto our humanity.
Remembering the Bauhaus school, 1919–1933
A morning lecture on the Bauhaus school and its demise under National Socialism offered a stark warning about politically dictated aesthetics. This is especially relevant now, as our Administration insists on architectural styles for federal buildings reminiscent of those mandated by Germany’s 1930s leadership.
A sign of the times
I spotted this graffiti moniker today while walking between tanker cars across the river from where we live. These markings, often including a name and date, are a railroad tradition dating back to the late 1800s. A little online research revealed similarly themed monikers by Impeach/Mpeach, a member of the graffiti crew, AMFM. These monikers feature the same guillotine and rolling head imagery, but with different text.
Maintaining a safe space for students if the ICE man cometh*
Today I returned to school, volunteering in a classroom–a safe space where I learn to be kind and patient. I inquired about the school’s policy if ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents show up on campus. Currently, there is no formal policy in place, which will be a significant concern in the coming months. In the interim, we have this handout. *(With apologies to Eugene O’Neill.)
A Matter of Dignity
It was my annual Medicare physical, a routine appointment that didn’t amount to much. Since a former president bragged about ‘acing’ the cognitive test, claiming it’s incredibly difficult, I’ve opted out. The test is actually quite simple, but the idea of potentially making a mistake on a test he passed with flying colors is unsettling.
When Labor Resists
During my walk through the North Loop/Warehouse District, I discovered a new mural hidden in an alleyway. It depicts a general strike in Minneapolis in 1934. The phrase “One day in July” is a reminder of the violent clash between armed law enforcement and unarmed strikers. According to the Teamsters Union, this strike marked a significant turning point for both the union and the entire labor movement.
Grassroots Power
Took a long way home after resupplying at Seward Co-op. My bike route led me through the Milwaukee Road Historic District where a new interpretive sign has appeared. It reminds us that it is possible to stand up to the Federal Government and emerge victorious. This neighborhood is a testament to such efforts.