Edition No. 44
Arts and Culture
A CBSN Originals titled “Ghost Light: The Year Broadway Went Dark” chronicles the 18-month shutdown of The Great White Way and those individuals impacted in the industry.
Community and Family
Looking for tips on how to craft a perfect letter? Dying to know the intricacies of a well-thought-out note? A recent NPR Life Kit episode breaks down all you need to know.
American Democracy
A new report from the AP-NORC Center at the University of Chicago shares the surveyed results of American citizens on their thoughts regarding civil liberties and security.
Ghost Light: The Year Broadway Went Dark
When the world shut down last March many of our day-to-day activities were halted. We began working remotely, dining in was no longer an option, and at-home workouts became the norm. However, there was one industry indisputably hit the hardest: Broadway. While many of us began adapting to a “new normal” over these past few months, The Great White Way remained closed, affecting many of those who claimed this industry of work. This issue they faced: finding another job in an industry that was dark. It’s a bit hard to go from being a swing in one Broadway hit to another…when no show is running!
The light at the end of this tunnel arrived in May when New York City announced that Broadway could resume performances at full capacity in September 2021. Just this past week, many of these artists and staff returned to work for the first time, performing to sold-out crowds. They were ushered in by remarks from individuals who understand the very importance of art and theater. For instance, Lin-Manuel Miranda welcomed guests back to Hamilton stating: “It took five years to get this show up and running, and I am so glad it didn’t take it five years to return.” And Kristin Chenoweth, who joined guests in Oz as she introduced the cast of Wicked.
The COVID-19 shutdown was the longest in Broadway history and challenged their popular catchphrase of “the show must go on.” Apart from the resilience and spirit of the actors and staff, there was one thing that remained: the ghost light. A tradition since the late 1800s, a ghost light is one single bulb traditionally left aglow in a dark theater. Logistically, it helps prevent workers from falling across a dimly lit stage. Metaphorically, it serves as a symbol that the life and light of the theater community will never die.
A CBSN Originals titled “Ghost Light: The Year Broadway Went Dark” chronicles this eighteen-month shutdown, the stories of the individuals impacted, and the ways they survived. The video at the link below runs approximately 44 minutes.
The Art (and Importance) of Writing Letters
Is it safe to say that the most forgotten and most overlooked artform is writing letters by hand? There is nothing quite like receiving a handwritten note, and the serotonin released when crafting a beautiful message for someone is unmatched. Of course, like anything you want to become good at, practice is required. Whether it be an email, text, or simple snail mail, personal writing fosters intimate relationships, boosts creativity, and most certainly brightens someone’s day. In a recent episode of Life Kit from NPR, senior writer at Hallmark Cards Courtney Taylor shares her insight into crafting the perfect message with the most perfect words.
Balancing Security and Liberty
Americans have become less inclined to support trading civil liberties for security and most do not think the country is doing a good job protecting many rights and liberties.
That is the leading conclusion of a new report from the AP-NORC Center at the University of Chicago, “Civil Liberties and Security: 20 Years after 9/11.” The report draws on an AP-NORC Survey conducted between August 12 and 16, 2021.
In the immediate wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, many Americans were willing to trade-off civil liberties if doing so could assure them of greater security. Since, then, however, the proportion of Americans willing to trade civil liberties for security fell from 64% in 2011 to 59% in 2013, and 45% in 2015 and 2021. Over the same period, the proportion of Americans taking the position that it is never necessary to sacrifice rights and freedoms to fight terrorism rose from 33% in 2011 to 44% in 2021.
The most interesting question on the new AP-NORC survey, however, asked respondents to evaluate how well or poorly the US Government is protecting some specific civil liberties. For each specific right about which the survey asked, respondents consistently gave the US Government lower grades in 2021 than in 2011. The single most dramatic of these changes concerned the right to vote. In 2011, 84% of those surveyed said the US Government was doing a good job of protecting the right to vote in comparison to just 43% in 2021. The second-largest drop was for the right of the people to assemble peacefully, which fell from 75% saying the US Government was doing a good job protecting that right in 2011 falling to 42% in 2021. For a more complete summary of the AP-NORC report, follow the link below.
Inspired Thoughts is a collection of highly curated content that embraces the spirit and purpose of The War Memorial: arts and culture, community enrichment, leadership, and patriotism.
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