Edition No. 44
This week, watch a CBSN Originals, “Ghost Light: When Broadway Went Dark,” and learn about those impacted by Broadway’s longest shutdown ever; perfect the art of handwritten notes with an episode of NPR’s Life Kit; and review a recent study which analyzes the thoughts of American citizens on civil liberties and security.
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.
Derived from the notion that learning from others is the key to success, Inspired Thoughts is meant to shine a light on those making a difference in the world around them. This collection features artists, poets, writers, architects, and every thought leader in-between. Inspired Thoughts is the strongest reflection of what The War Memorial stands for, and what we aim to be.
The content featured on Inspired Thoughts is curated by War Memorial leadership — we also look forward to featuring special guest curators in the near future. If you are interested in providing content for Inspired Thoughts, please email our Communications team at jkaminski@warmemorial.org.
Edition No. 43
In our 43rd edition of Inspired Thoughts, we revisit Cranbrook Academy of Art’s current exhibit, With Eyes Open, which closes later this month and features a retrospective on the 90-year history of the institution; we also share two new reports from the nonpartisan Pew Research Center, which provide some much-needed context for the ongoing debate over election laws.
Arts and Culture
See it before it goes! Cranbrook Academy of Art’s latest exhibition, With Eyes Open, closes on September 19. Watch a PBS NewsHour segment to learn about this retrospective exhibit.
American Democracy
As battles over election law continue at both the state and federal level, two new reports from the nonpartisan Pew Research Center provide some much-needed context for the ongoing debate.
With Eyes Opened: Cranbrook Academy of Art Since 1932
In late June, we highlighted the latest exhibition of Cranbrook Academy of Art, With Eyes Open. The show chronicles the school’s nearly 90-year history, featuring more than 275 works by more than 220 artists. All pieces have a connection to the various areas of study at the school, including art, architecture, craft, and design.
The exhibition, which closes to the public this weekend, has gained national media attention for its ingenuity and influence on the world of art and design. A recent segment for PBS NewsHour’s art and culture series, “CANVAS,” took a look at the unique way artists were embracing the theme of the show. Jeffery Brown sat down with Museum Director Andrew Blauvelt to discuss the curation and creativity of this exhibit. Be sure to visit the exhibition before it closes. The final day to visit is September 19. To plan your trip, click here.
With Eyes Opened: Cranbrook Academy of Art Since 1932 at Cranbrook Art Museum. Photo: PD Rearick
With Eyes Opened: Cranbrook Academy of Art Since 1932 at Cranbrook Art Museum. Photo: PD Rearick
With Eyes Opened: Cranbrook Academy of Art Since 1932 at Cranbrook Art Museum. Photo: PD Rearick
Significant Differences Have Emerged in How Americans Now View Voting
As battles over election law continue at both the state and federal level, two new reports from the nonpartisan Pew Research Center provide some much-needed context for the ongoing debate. While the debate on election law changes has nominally been about questions of fact, these new Pew studies suggest that something much more fundamental may really be powering the move toward substantial election law changes in many states including Michigan.
Through surveys done in March and July of this year, Pew researchers found significant differences in how voters favoring one party versus those favoring the other party now view voting in terms of three important questions:
Is voting a fundamental right or a privilege?
Should voting be made as convenient as possible?
Can convenient voting be kept secure?
Is voting a fundamental right or a privilege?
In the Pew study, 78% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents agreed with the statement, voting is a “fundamental right for every US citizen and should not be restricted in any way” in contrast to only 32% of Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents. In contrast, 67% of Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents, but only 21% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents, agreed with the statement that voting is a “privilege that comes with responsibilities and can be limited.”
Should voting be made as convenient as possible?
Despite a global pandemic, the 2020 elections achieved unprecedented levels of turnout. In part, that was the result of an unusually compelling Presidential race. That record levels of voting could be achieved during a pandemic, however, was likely only possible because many jurisdictions implemented measures that facilitated voting while remaining socially distanced. Not surprisingly, whether such measures should be kept in place for future elections is an important part of the current debate. In March 2021, 85% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents, but only 37% of Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents, agreed with the statement, “Everything possible should be done to make it easy for every citizen to vote.”
Can convenient voting be kept secure?
Republican and Democratic voters also exhibited markedly different responses when asked if more convenient voting could be kept secure. Republican and Democratic voters responded in dramatically different ways when the following statement was put in front of them, “If election rules were changed to make it easier to register and vote, elections would be less secure.” Among Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents, 61% agreed with that statement in contrast to only 16% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents.
Bells Across America
In honor of Constitution Day on Friday, September 17, our friends at The Louisa St.Clair Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, are planning Bells Across America. This Friday at 4pm, listen as churches and bell towers ring their bells to celebrate the signing of our constitution.
Classes and Events at The War Memorial
After a long break, The War Memorial is excited to begin offering classes to the community again! There is art, fencing, ballroom dancing, and everything in between. We promise there is a class for everyone! Our website is constantly updated to reflect our most current class schedule.
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.
Derived from the notion that learning from others is the key to success, Inspired Thoughts is meant to shine a light on those making a difference in the world around them. This collection features artists, poets, writers, architects, and every thought leader in-between. Inspired Thoughts is the strongest reflection of what The War Memorial stands for, and what we aim to be.
The content featured on Inspired Thoughts is curated by War Memorial leadership — we also look forward to featuring special guest curators in the near future. If you are interested in providing content for Inspired Thoughts, please email our Communications team at jkaminski@warmemorial.org.
Edition No. 42
In this edition of Inspired Thoughts, we preview Michigan Opera Theatre’s upcoming performance of Blue, a poignant opera that engages in the conversation of race and police brutality; we give a name to that dreadful feeling of “blah” that has become so normal during the pandemic (spoiler: it’s called languishing); and we review how the demographic changes of the US census from 2010 to 2020 affect our communities.
Arts and Culture
Michigan Opera Theatre begins its 50th season with a powerful portrayal of Tazewell Thompson’s Blue, a wrenching and remarkably original opera centered on a loving, tight-knit family in modern-day Harlem.
Community and Family
Organizational psychologist and best-selling author Adam Grant finally has a name for that feeling of “blah” many of us have experienced during the pandemic: it’s called languishing.
American Democracy
Last month, the specific US Census data needed for re-districting was finally released. Learn how 2010 to 2020 demographic changes affected your community.
Tazewell Thompson’s BLUE
Our friends at Michigan Opera Theatre are returning for their 50th season, once again under the tasteful guidance of Artist Director Yuval Sharon. As you may recall, Michigan Opera Theatre made national headlines with their parking structure opera productions (formed by both the necessity to create COVID-19 safe events and the brilliant mind of Sharon), and they hope to make headlines again this weekend.
Returning to a real stage for the first time in two years, Michigan Opera Theatre is launching its 50th season this weekend (September 11 and 12), with a powerful portrayal of Tazewell Thompson’s opera Blue. Blue tells the poignant and moving story of a loving, tight-knit family in modern-day Harlem struggling to find balance and unity in their lives. Watch as the father goes to work each morning as an NYPD police officer, and his son grows politically and socially aware of the world around him. The opera examines some of today’s most powerful conversations on race and police brutality. It will challenge audiences to engage in the hardest, yet most important, conversations with their communities.
And as the production draws nears, Michigan Opera Theatre has launched “What Makes A Community Safe?” This series of virtual conversations invites community leaders, policymakers, members of law enforcement, and community advocates to discuss safety, community health issues, restorative justice, and more. It serves as the perfect complement to this moving opera. Click here to view the full series.
Languishing: The Feeling of “Blah”
This month officially marks 18 months since the COVID-19 pandemic began in the US. And just like you, we’re tired. It’s been a long year and a half, navigating through new challenges and learning to adapt to a “new” normal. However, the one thing most of us can collectively agree upon is that familiar sense of “blah.” It’s not depression or exhaustion, and it’s certainly not an over-excitement for life—it’s that feeling in-between. A feeling that we can’t quite describe, yet everyone knows. Adam Grant, Organizational Psychologist and best-selling author, penned a piece for the New York Times in which he gave a name to that widely-known feeling of blah: languishing. As Grant explains:
“Languishing is a sense of stagnation and emptiness. It feels as if you’re muddling through your days, looking at your life through a foggy windshield. And it might be the dominant emotion of 2021.”
Of course, providing processes and guidance to beat those feelings is what Grant does best. In an August 2021 TEDxMontery talk, Grant breaks down the key indicators of languishing and presents three ways to escape the dreaded “meh” feeling and once again find your flow.
US Census Redistricting Data Released
On Tuesday, August 10th, the specific US Census data needed for re-districting was finally released. Some of the best, most detailed coverage of how Michigan fared in this specific aspect of the 2020 Census came from our friends at BridgeMichigan. Follow the link below to an overview on 2010 to 2020 demographic changes at the regional level and in our state’s largest communities.
To learn how 2010 to 2020 trends affected your own community, follow the link below and then scroll down the page to the box labeled, “Census 2020: How did your community fare?” Once there, type in the name of your home community and see what you find.
It’s fun! We tried it and learned that 4 of the 5 Grosse Pointes grew between 2010 and 2020; anyone want to guess which Grosse Pointe did not? (Answer: Grosse Shores which experienced a net loss of 361 residents between 2010 and 2020)
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.
Derived from the notion that learning from others is the key to success, Inspired Thoughts is meant to shine a light on those making a difference in the world around them. This collection features artists, poets, writers, architects, and every thought leader in-between. Inspired Thoughts is the strongest reflection of what The War Memorial stands for, and what we aim to be.
The content featured on Inspired Thoughts is curated by War Memorial leadership — we also look forward to featuring special guest curators in the near future. If you are interested in providing content for Inspired Thoughts, please email our Communications team at jkaminski@warmemorial.org.
Edition No. 41
We’re back with a new edition of Inspired Thoughts! This week, we invite you to read a report which analyzes all 381 paintings from Bob Ross’ show The Joy of Painting; as we approach the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, watch an interview with Garrett Graff, author of The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11; and dive into a report from USA Facts which takes a look at the “quit rate” in the US.
Arts and Culture
We revisit a 2014 report from FiveThirtyEight that analyzes all 381 paintings done by Bob Ross—just in time for Netflix’s new documentary on the painter.
Always Remember
As we approach the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we reflect on Garret Graff’s 2019 book, The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11.
American Democracy
With federal unemployment benefits running out on September 6, we share a fascinating report from USA Facts about the US “quit rate.”
A Statistical Analysis of the Work of Bob Ross
Recently, Netflix released a new documentary titled Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal, & Greed. The film tells the story of the television and art legend, as well as the fallout of his name, brand, and legacy following his death. The documentary itself remains true to what we all know—Bob Ross was an icon. Reveling little that would paint (pun intended) Ross in a bad light, the documentary continues to celebrate the little things that make him such a staple of current pop culture.
“ He didn’t paint oaks or spruces, he painted “happy trees.” He favored “almighty mountains” to peaks. Once he’d painted one tree, he didn’t paint another — he painted a ‘friend.’”
And while we recommend watching the documentary, it did get us to think about the actual pieces of art he created while hosting his show The Joy of Painting. Known for reminding us that there are “no mistakes, just happy accidents,” Ross’ work was defined by consistency and a fundamentally personal ideal.
A 2014 report by Walt Hickey for FiveThirtyEight provides a statistical analysis of the work of Bob Ross. Breaking down the 381 images he painted (Ross painted in 381 episodes of the 403 episode series), Hick provides the reader with a deep analysis of what exactly Ross painted. How many of his paintings featured a tree? A cloud? A cloud and a tree? And while a fascinating analysis, it reminds us of the point that Hick ends his report with—The Joy of Painting was never really about painting. It was about Bob. Hickey’s report provides a statistical overview of the paintings. Click the link below to read the full report.
The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11
As we approach the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, it’s hard not to feel frozen in time. We often hear how many of us can vividly remember where we were that morning and what exactly we had for breakfast. We know just what we were doing when we saw that first tower strike. Here at The War Memorial, we know that day will be etched in the history of our nation, and we remain committed to honoring and remembering the over 3,000 lives lost that day. We will once again host our 9/11 Service of Remembrance, our yearly time to pause and gather with people of all walks of life as we denounce hatred and come together in solemn remembrance of the lives lost that day.
We’re also deeply moved by the work of journalist and historian Garret Graff. In 2019, Graff published The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11. Providing readers with a 360-degree account of that day, Graff pieces together the stories of so many affected that day: first responders, widows, politicians, tourists, and everyday citizens who found themselves stuck in the air begin rerouted to Newfoundland. In 2020, Graff visited the 9/11 Memorial & Museum to discuss his book, the process of collecting oral histories, and the impact these stories have and will continue to have on our society.
A New Report from USA Facts on “Quit Rates” by Industry Sector and State
With enhanced federal unemployment benefits running out on September 6, unemployment rates and labor shortages are likely to soon start getting a lot more media and public attention. With that in mind, a recent report from USA Facts about the US “quit rate” really caught our attention. (See Inspired Thoughts: Edition No. 27 – April 27, 2021, for more about USA Facts).
In April, the “quit rate” calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) rose to 2.8% - the highest rate since BLS began calculating that statistic in 2002. At the same time, the national unemployment rate (also calculated by BLS) stood at 6.1%—2.6 percentage points above pre-pandemic levels (the national unemployment rate has since fallen to 5.4%).
What makes this interesting is that the US quit rate has historically been low when unemployment was high. The current anomaly led USA Facts to take a deeper dive into the data where they noticed very substantial differences in the quit rates of different industries that led them to bring average hourly wages paid in those industries into the analysis.
Follow the link below to the USA Facts report and an interactive map that will show you the quit rates for any given state when you place your cursor over that state.
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.
Derived from the notion that learning from others is the key to success, Inspired Thoughts is meant to shine a light on those making a difference in the world around them. This collection features artists, poets, writers, architects, and every thought leader in-between. Inspired Thoughts is the strongest reflection of what The War Memorial stands for, and what we aim to be.
The content featured on Inspired Thoughts is curated by War Memorial leadership — we also look forward to featuring special guest curators in the near future. If you are interested in providing content for Inspired Thoughts, please email our Communications team at jkaminski@warmemorial.org.
Edition No. 40
For our fortieth edition, we share with you Detroit’s Sidewalk Festival, a celebration of art and Detroit’s unique outdoor space; focus on an opinion piece from The New York Times, in which Paul Krugman considers an intriguing aspect of America’s current hyper-partisanship —radically different perceptions of the health of the US economy; and just for fun, we make note of the Hall of Presidents Before George Washington, a unique exhibit at a Westin hotel in Maryland.
In this Edition
Arts and Culture
This next month, explore the Sidewalk Festival—Detroit’s four-weekend event featuring unique and interactive art pieces, that celebrate and embrace the natural landscape of the city.
American Democracy
Read a fascinating Times column from Noble Laureate Paul Krugman, as he considers the radically different perceptions of the health of the US economy held by self-identified Republicans and self-identified Democrats.
More American Democracy
Visiting Annapolis, Maryland soon? Visit the Westin Hotel to view their unique exhibit: Hall of the Presidents Before George Washington.
Street Festival: Healing. Revival. Party.
It’s summertime, and that means festival season. Each weekend, we fill our time with various lineups of art shows, food fairs, and music festivals. And thankfully for us, Detroit is not a city that strays away from a great street party. Kicking off this past week, Sidewalk Festival is a unique event in metro Detroit, which features local artists embracing the streets, alleys, gardens, and sidewalks of the city to create and perform jaw-dropping pieces of art.
Sidewalk Festival occurs over four weekends and celebrates the unique spaces across the city of Detroit. Marketed as “an arts festival meets neighborhood block party,” this event invites artists from around the city to find inspiration in the landscape around them. For the next three weekends, guests are invited to come and experience these interactive art forms. Artists are exploring three themes: healing, revival, and party—all of which seem aptly appropriate after the past 18 months.
A few of the featured artists include Studio Detroit, Freddy Diaz, and Thornetta Davis. Below we’ve included the various locations over the next three weeks (including our neighboring community, Jefferson-Chalmers) and a brief description of what each event will feature. More information can be found at the link below.
July 31
Chadsey-Condon
6900 McGraw Ave, Detroit, MI 48210
2-8pm
It’s lush greenway meets street art in this unique location, the site of the future Braden Street Greenway. Serving as a connecting road between two beloved community parks, this green linear path will be celebrated with music, dance, theater, interactive mural making and site-specific installation. In partnership with Bridging Communities.
August 7
Joy-Southfield
18917 Joy Rd, Detroit, MI 48228
4-10pm
An innocent parking lot becomes the staging space for an innovative night market featuring installations for the night, dance workshops, vendors, lively community singing and an immersive street mural experience. In partnership with Joy-Southfield CDC.
August 14
Dexter-Linwood
259 Manistique St, Detroit, MI 48215
2-8pm
Surrounded by the beauty of Detroit’s canal district, we will enjoy the colorful green landscape of the Manistique Creative Empowerment Garden and Treehouse. Experience healing bubbles, sound baths, avant-garde dance, and music spanning jazz, blues and classical..
Economics in a Post-Truth Nation
“The economy that voters perceive no longer bears much relationship to reality.”
In his Times column, Noble Laureate (in Economics) Paul Krugman considers an intriguing aspect of America’s current hyper-partisanship—radically different perceptions of the health of the US economy held by self-identified Republicans and self-identified Democrats. Krugman writes, “We appear to have become a country in which a large chunk of the electorate won’t even judge a president by short-run (economic) performance because those voters’ perceptions of the economy are driven by partisanship unrelated to reality.” There is also an interesting local angle to this story as it is rooted in the University of Michigan Institute of Social Research’s long-running Survey of Consumers. Please note: Subscriptions may be required to read the full article.
Just For Fun:
The Hall of the Presidents Before Washington
Disney has a “Hall of the Presidents” attraction in both its California and Florida parks. Both feature Animatronic versions of our chief executives beginning, not surprisingly, with George Washington. A recent Atlas Obscura article, however, took readers to Annapolis, Maryland, and a very different hall of the presidents. There, the Westin Hotel has converted an actual corridor into an exhibit they call the Hall of the Presidents Before George Washington.
George Washington, our 15th President?!
Because American students are routinely taught that George Washington was our first President it may come as a shock to some readers that fourteen men had already held the title of “President” before Washington was inaugurated in 1789. Those first fourteen American Presidents served during two Continental Congresses (1774-1781) and under the Articles of Confederation (1781-1788). Only two of the Presidents before Washington, however, are likely to be familiar to most Americans. The first is John Hancock who served as President twice, including when the Declaration of Independence was adopted and became the Declaration’s first signer. The second is John Jay who, along with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, wrote the Federalist essays arguing for the adoption of our present constitution.
While the title may be the same, the office occupied by our first fourteen Presidents was actually very different. They were the presiding officer of Congress, making their role more analogous to today’s Speaker of the House than President. But, as they’re not considered to be the first fourteen Speakers, they remain neither fish nor fowl and so are honored in a hotel hallway rather than in “America’s Happiest Place.”
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.
Derived from the notion that learning from others is the key to success, Inspired Thoughts is meant to shine a light on those making a difference in the world around them. This collection features artists, poets, writers, architects, and every thought leader in-between. Inspired Thoughts is the strongest reflection of what The War Memorial stands for, and what we aim to be.
The content featured on Inspired Thoughts is curated by War Memorial leadership — we also look forward to featuring special guest curators in the near future. If you are interested in providing content for Inspired Thoughts, please email our Communications team at jkaminski@warmemorial.org.