With the call for walkers on this upcoming holiday Monday (May 18 at 9:30am), there was a lot of response.
Almost all positive.
You can’t take away the other side of this though…as I learned.
There are a lot of people who are angry with Eddie Francis and the city representatives (in general) with regards to their positions on the arts…and creativity. Kind of crucial when the event is called Walk for a Creative City.
The reaction, when negative, seems knee-jerk and severe, with instant refusal to sidle up next to our mayor. But with some retrospection, and understanding that this walk is at the same time separate and united with the Mayor’s (Windsor’s 117th Birthday) Walk, there are some who seem to be seeing the opportunity.
So maybe we go out and walk together, and we make a great display on our own behalf, and the news notices our creative masses.
Then nothing happens.
Gasp!
Making the effort to get together, and show that we’re capable of meeting on common ground without picket signs is a step toward our benefit.
Some may argue that they’re tired of being kicked while down. Some HAVE argued this.
I’m not here to argue.
I’m asking creative people to show their numbers for whatever reasons they may have, and to maybe make some connections to their creative brethren. At least we will be in a space where new introductions can take place and where we can take reflective pride in our numbers.
Boycotting removes your voice. It silences only those boycotting. Leaving those in your place to speak on your behalf, which no can do but yourself, is a weaker presence than showing yourself and making YOUR mark. Especially since many of the potential withdrawals know that there will be an unprecedented turnout, it really doesn’t serve their purpose by “saying something by being silent”. It just makes the arts (and its supporters) look like less than it is…which is not a wise approach, if you ask me.
Still looking VERY forward to the walk this weekend, and I will be inviting my entire local family to attend in support of their younger brother (me) and his wife (Jhoan).
It’s going to be a special day.
Tuesday May 12th, Adam Fox and I will be interviewing two very special folks on our radio show called Not In My Backyard. Pina Ciotoli of Windsor Endowment for the Arts (and Windsoreats.com) will be discussing how this walk came to be, her interest in the creative turnout, and what her predictions are for that event.
Those of you reading this in time, you can go to www.ustream.tv/channel/nimby-on-cjam and watch/listen to the show. Or you can simply turn your radio dial to 91.5FM in Windsor and Detroit to hear us.
![[Post to Twitter]](http://tomlucier.com/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this-small.png)
Tweet This{ 1 comment }
