Responding to Pain

Communities are hurting.

African-American. Other communities of color. Their allies. Law enforcement. You don’t need to be particularly “tuned in” to know this.

What is your arts organization doing in response? The answer to this question is a powerful indicator (forgive me: “metric”) of the depth and quality of institutional commitment to and capacity for engagement.

“Nothing” may indicate an assumption (even an unconscious one) that arts organizations should not involve themselves in “non-arts” matters; or it could stem from an awareness that no relationship exists with any of these communities. In the former case, a cursory review of the history of the arts should put that idea to rest. Moreover, viability for this century demands being “of” the community. In the latter case, caution in proceeding when no relationship exists is warranted; however, if there are not relationships with any of the groups affected . . . . Substantial work needs to be done moving forward.

For those organizations in which many staff, board, and volunteers are talking with or even making joint plans with communities, I say Godspeed and bless you. Reaching out to friends who are in pain is what we do in relationships.

For the rest, if you hope to be a vital member of your community in the future, you need to learn to be a vital member now. Develop relationships on which to build. Caution in the current circumstances is necessary. Strangers are seldom welcomed to a wake. But it might be worthwhile to reach out expressing concern, a desire to learn, and a willingness to lend aid in whatever way may one day be appropriate. Done with humility and full recognition of how much you don’t know, this might be appreciated. And if not, remember that to many our industry represents power and that moments of crisis are times of pain.

Importantly, this is a time for listening. The temptation to “do” is almost overpowering for us. Unilateral “doing” is often counterproductive.

Engage (with sensitivity)!

Doug

Photo (edited): Some rights reserved by mikecogh