Stunning piece! Deeply felt. When worlds collide and a nation comes under unprovoked military attack, who steps up first to lend a hand to the innocent victims? Two examples come to mind: Jose Andres' World Central Kitchen (millions of meals served in Ukraine –– and I consider chefs artists). And last weekend, the dozens of performers (artists) who played a benefit at Carnegie Hall. True, artists struggle. But they are often the first to step up to relieve others' human suffering. Call it moral rewards. Guess which team I ally with?
thank you, You have a wonderful way of putting important social conundrums in to wonerfully creative language that get right to heart of the situation ✌️❤️
thank you for another poignant article, Jennifer. this is a lived experience felt deeply and personally in my bones. I just got Covid and have lost a week worth of work shifts (so far) at my "joe job". read as: service industry work. I have worked there for almost six years and hold a management position, and still, I don't have the honor or promotion or respect or laws on my side, for receiving sick time or sick pay, even in the midst of a pandemic. and so, I take a loss, a double hit. and things are going to be extra tight for the next few months. but I WILL keep making.*
*further note: I am fortunate to exist in a privileged enough place TO keep making. how many marginalized groups and individuals have not had such a luxury? how many have seen their best gifts and talents and passions sidelined because of an unexpected illness and too many sick days, rent increase, car break down, caring for family, inflation....insert other common every day problem here ______. these common every day problems fall hard on artists, creatives, and makers for all the reasons you described above. thank you for voicing them again.
Erinn, I'm so sorry that you're dealing with Covid and with a system that doesn't offer you the common decency of being able to be sick without worrying about how you will pay your bills. This is so common with arts workers (in their arts jobs and in their "joe jobs"). No one should have to worry about making ends meet while recovering from illness. The system is horrifyingly broken.
I'm glad that you will be able to continue making and I deeply appreciate your acknowledgment that that isn't possible for everyone. I know, from firsthand experience, that it can be hard to think about our privilege at times when we are worried that we will lose our housing, our jobs, etc. But our privilege is there nonetheless. These things can feel at odds: the notion of hardship and privilege co-existing. But they do. So I will say to you: I'm truly sorry for what you're going through and thank you for your perspective.
Stunning piece! Deeply felt. When worlds collide and a nation comes under unprovoked military attack, who steps up first to lend a hand to the innocent victims? Two examples come to mind: Jose Andres' World Central Kitchen (millions of meals served in Ukraine –– and I consider chefs artists). And last weekend, the dozens of performers (artists) who played a benefit at Carnegie Hall. True, artists struggle. But they are often the first to step up to relieve others' human suffering. Call it moral rewards. Guess which team I ally with?
Yes! Artists always step up. (And I consider Jose Andres an artist too. That man is a blessing to the world.)
thank you, You have a wonderful way of putting important social conundrums in to wonerfully creative language that get right to heart of the situation ✌️❤️
Thanks, Tom!
as always…stunning, thought provoking, painful, and beautiful!
Thank you for reading.
thank you for another poignant article, Jennifer. this is a lived experience felt deeply and personally in my bones. I just got Covid and have lost a week worth of work shifts (so far) at my "joe job". read as: service industry work. I have worked there for almost six years and hold a management position, and still, I don't have the honor or promotion or respect or laws on my side, for receiving sick time or sick pay, even in the midst of a pandemic. and so, I take a loss, a double hit. and things are going to be extra tight for the next few months. but I WILL keep making.*
*further note: I am fortunate to exist in a privileged enough place TO keep making. how many marginalized groups and individuals have not had such a luxury? how many have seen their best gifts and talents and passions sidelined because of an unexpected illness and too many sick days, rent increase, car break down, caring for family, inflation....insert other common every day problem here ______. these common every day problems fall hard on artists, creatives, and makers for all the reasons you described above. thank you for voicing them again.
Erinn, I'm so sorry that you're dealing with Covid and with a system that doesn't offer you the common decency of being able to be sick without worrying about how you will pay your bills. This is so common with arts workers (in their arts jobs and in their "joe jobs"). No one should have to worry about making ends meet while recovering from illness. The system is horrifyingly broken.
I'm glad that you will be able to continue making and I deeply appreciate your acknowledgment that that isn't possible for everyone. I know, from firsthand experience, that it can be hard to think about our privilege at times when we are worried that we will lose our housing, our jobs, etc. But our privilege is there nonetheless. These things can feel at odds: the notion of hardship and privilege co-existing. But they do. So I will say to you: I'm truly sorry for what you're going through and thank you for your perspective.