The Power of Art

When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others.

-Peace Pilgrim

As I was reading the Chicago Tribune today, I came across an article about Wheaton College entitled,"Survey: Wheaton College is Least Tolerant Campus for Gays". What does this have to do with me, you say ? Well, for one, I try my hardest to be tolerant of other's and their beliefs, so it makes it difficult not to be judgmental when I feel that others are not doing the same, but more importantly, I have a major exhibition, I Am Whoever You Want Me To Be showing this Fall on the campus at the college.

My initial reaction was to pull my show in protest of the mission of the college, but after thinking about it longer, I realized that this would not solve the problem of intolerance. I have an opportunity not to inform or change the way the students and faculty at the college think, but rather, to embrace our different perspectives even though they are not agreed upon. I have the privelege to present my work (which, incidentally, is somewhat of a commentary on gender roles in today's society) and to open the minds to possibility, critical thinking, and tolerance. To me, this is the power of art.

The bottom line is, if I cannot be tolerant of other's beliefs, how can I expect them to be tolerant of mine ?

I dedicate this post to my brothers and their partners, my dear friends, and all of the other people of the LGBT community, may we work together to co-exist.