Agree or Disagree, But Gain Perspective
Wendy Rosen
Public Education Advocate. Former: Events, Publishing, & Marketing Consultant to non-profits and creative communities. CEM
Agree or Disagree, But Gain Perspective
Published in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune on Sunday June 4.
I moved from St Pete to Sarasota and discovered that social customs here are different. Permitted topics of discussion include theater, reviews of restaurants or doctors, and the best nail polish colors.
Discussions or opinions about news headlines, local or national, are forbidden. Unless it’s just a generic complaint about growth or traffic, I’m told to hush. The latest changes in our laws and government have led us to whisper instead of sharing open conversations, even in small group settings. I have visited countries where this is the social norm. I never thought I”d see it in Florida.
Books matter. People matter(yes, all people). Am I woke? I’m just a moderate. If we are hushed, only the fringe will be heard. I believe in good citizenship, which requires us to support our local writers, authors, and good news sources.
Let’s revive the Sarasota Book Festival. It would be an opportunity for all of us to learn. Maybe a new point of view from a great author or one of our local nonprofits. You can agree or disagree, but you’ll go away with a broader perspective.
Wendy Rosen
Sarasota
ARTIST/PAINTER/WRITER at My Studio
1 年Books have been an essential part of my life since I was four. A life without books would be colorless. Prohibiting reading is courting the possibility of acquiring knowledge and understanding diversity; without knowledge, people could be easier to manipulate, and without understanding diversity, it could transform into hate... I have observed that throughout life. Sarasota Book Festival sounds like a great experience. Thank you for sharing!
Owner at CHEZ VALERIE
1 年Hello Wendy. I have changed some things since my NY property sold. Hello Daniel.. My company’ s mission is to help people in two ways: Fear of Public Speaking private courses : https://bit.ly/3Z6R6Cp And I create a podcast Wealth, Yoga, Wine ..which also improves people’s lives in less than ten minutes. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wealth-yoga-wine/id1535992455?i=1000604351165
Orlando Museum of Art- Referrals for Art Conservation--By appointment only 407.733.4528
1 年I would be so happy to be a part of “ The “ “Sarasota Book Festival “ ! Sounds like an exceptional opportunity, to learn, and Speak about our concerns; without bing “ hushed”. Thank you so very much, for sharing your experiences, and thoughts in our State of Florida ???????????. Kindly, jan
Professor Emeritus at University of Southern Indiana
1 年Without Art, we have no Culture (Mao)-Without Culture, we have no Civilization (Lenny Dowhie). Books and ideas are integral parts of culture, thus fewer books equals a lessened civilization and thus a weaker society. Good luck on reinvigorating the Book Festival.
ceo Presenting Architecture
1 年Hi Wendy Rosen did you see this article? I have long ties with Sarasota although never lived there. https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/05/florida-ground-zero-far-right-education-blitz?utm_source=onsite-share&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=onsite-share&utm_brand=vanity-fair If you have something I can pass on to family members in Sarasota, that would be great. Thanks!