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  •  just my impression (0+ / 0-)

    Well, the below could be just my impression, but that said, my impression comes from a particular place.

    I've been studying the Biblical American movement here in the US for the past decade with my partner, and was working as an 'activist' of sorts for a good long time before that- working along many different fronts- Queer politics, feminist politics, reproductive autonomy work, environmental work, etc etc. My partner and I have spent a sizeable chunk of the last ten years traveling America by car (well truck, mainly) both along highways and well off the major thoroughfares. We've spent some of that time going into Biblical American events, conferences, street events, bookstores etc etc etc.

    My other major bias going into all this is that I am an artist with a particular interest in installation pieces and what have come to be known here in America as 'roadside peeks'.

    That said, my opinion? The image is upsetting to some of those of us outside, other 'outsiders' will dismiss it, either as another 'nutso display by religious freaks along the highway' (we've got plenty of 'em), or in a few cases, as some kind of actual artistic statement- not a very good one, but perhaps an artist's vision. It will not however, been seen for what it fully is. Even in the other writings I'm seeing on it, there is little to no analyis of tribalism, redefinition, posessive-ism, etc.

    As for those on the inside, I think it will resonate pretty strongly with at least the FRAME they occupy- not neccessarily in the actual execution (they may not like the statue, personally, but they will agree with the symbolism and meanings behind it).

    So no, ultimately, despite this being a wake-up call, and a definite point in the process that's taking place here in this country, I deeply doubt people here will comprehend it.

    As for majority or minority, I'm not sure that's the right question. I think the real question is how does it resonate with those with power and influence, and who would on some level have the power to change our current trajectory- and again, unfortunately, as Biblical Americans views are perhaps disproportionately found in centers of power and influence (as those very places have been specifically targeted BY Biblical Americans over the past few decades).

    For those out of power with little to no influence, well, we diary (among other things)- and it gets very little attention.

    Your last paragraph is key- and dead on. I wish the image could act as a catalyst- if only to alert people to where we now stand (you'll note that this is my first and only diary with a picture attatched.)

    But, yes, I too, am convinced, primarily via my travels that whether people agree or disagree with the image, they are comfortable with the statue. We as a country have changed dramtically.

    And key components of what America has been recognized for, or aspects of what have been pointed to by others as "American Spirit" are now being willingly cast aside without so much as a second thought. "American Spirit" is now little more than a crumpled pack of cigarettes lying amidst the litter by the side of the road. (Where's Snake Plissken when you need him? Sorry, a little "Escape from L.A." reference there.)

    Liberty- and Lady Liberty's lamp are being actively replaced by "liberation" which we are told is only found within one narrow religious construct. Liberty itself is eroding daily.

    As for those of us for whom this statue is a marked point in a process of (what my partner and I have been calling) changing out the hardware to run new software, well, even if we do see it, we don't seem to be able to make much of a dent.

    barf.org : a resource for all who work to monitor and counter the Biblical America movement.

    by stormcoming on Wed Jul 05, 2006 at 12:31:43 AM PDT

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