When Sculptures Speak
Works of art have long been attacked or celebrated on ideological grounds. From D. W. Griffith’s Birth of a Nation – a ground-breaking film that is also regularly condemned as racist – to Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses and beyond, art has served as a source of controversy, outrage, and, on occasion, physical violence.
Tempers run hot in an era of culture wars and cancel culture; all the more reason to step back a bit and consider the role of the arts in the United States. What is its purpose? What is its value? The dollar is easier to read than hearts and minds, and the value of art is often measured in financial terms. Looking beyond the commercial aspects, we apprehend the deeper worth of art, the power it possesses to get us thinking, remind us of our shared humanity, and capture the evanescent.
Things get even more complicated when notions of public art enter the discussion. All in all, it proves that a work of art should not be judged on its political, social, or historical significance alone; but ignoring those factors can mean willfully neglecting – or even endorsing – a multitude of sins. Confederate Army statuary is a prime example. Leave them up or bring them down?
Those who would like to see the sculptures left alone argue that such monuments are “part of our history.” They are indeed; but on which side of the historical record does one want to place oneself? These monuments are not an ode to striving for equality and justice for all. They glorify the leaders who fought to have that equality quashed. Confederate statuary memorializes some hard truths about American history.
Over the course of a lengthy career, American sculptor John Henry Waddell(1921-2019) tackled intolerance, fear, and injustice.
“That Which Might Have Been, Birmingham 1963" is Waddell’s memorial tribute to the four little girls whose lives were taken in the 1963 Ku Klux Klan bombing of the 16th Street Baptist church in Birmingham, Alabama.
As John's wife, artist Ruth Holland Waddell remembered it. "John said, 'Let's turn on the radio and see what's new in the United States.' That's when we heard about the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama."
"Is there a war?" asks their youngest son William, age 9
John Henry Waddell and his sculpture: "That Which Might Have Been" - Photo courtesy of Archives of Waddell Art
In 2020 the last surviving conspirator (and KKK member) Thomas Edwin Blanton Jr., died in prison. But the four black girls that he and his buddies killed in that bombing will live on, in part because of the cry for humanity their tragic deaths inspired. Depictions of the four by artists like Spike Lee (“Four Little Girls”) and Waddell are essential to continuing the conversation for years to come.
Created over 40 years ago, Waddell’s Bronze Dancers is a 12-Figure Grouping in front of Herberger Theater in the Arts District of Downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It received new attention when, on August 22, 2017, policemen used tear gas on a group of non-violent protesters outside a rally in Phoenix. Photographer Matt York captured an unforgettable image: a line of policemen in riot gear lined up alongside a pair of Waddell’s dancers. A man supports a woman who’s reaching upward, ever upward, rising above the fray.
The sculpture is called “Lift.”
Art holds a key to healing, overcoming adversity, and advancing us as a culture. It has the power to move us and open us to new experiences. If we take the time to look and listen and feel, it will lift us all.
John Henry Waddell's "Bronze Dancers" - Photo courtesy of Archives of Waddell Art
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John Henry Waddell (1921 – 2019) was a prominent international figurative artist. He lived a prolific life as an artist and teacher of art in America for 9 decades. Read more about Johnhere.
Amy Waddell is an American writer and filmmaker living between Paris, France, and Sedona, Arizona. Read more about Amy here.
Your Questions About Audien Hearing Answered
Statistics tell us that hearing loss affects one out of three people over 65. Yet many people experience hearing aid resistance and can get quite stubborn about taking action.
Dr. Jamie Desjardins — Lead Researcher and Assistant Professor of Speech Language Pathology at the University of Texas at El Paso* — said, " On average, it takes people 10 years from the time they first exhibit symptoms of hearing loss until they seek treatment."
Denial and embarrassment are two major reasons for the delay — or even flat-out refusal. For some, this may be responding to outdated notions about hearing aids — they’re ugly, bulky, expensive, and require doctor appointments.
Our editors understand this and want to introduce you to Audien Hearing, a brand that set out to revolutionize the field; making high quality hearing aids affordable and accessible.
There’s no time like the present to deal with hearing loss. Thinking about getting a hearing aid? You may have some concerns about Audien Hearing — Well, here are all the answers to your most pressing questions:
1. Why Audien Hearing?
This leader in contemporary hearing aid technology and design has completely changed the hearing aid game, and It's about time. And, in the process, improving the quality of everyday life for those experiencing hearing loss.
Audien offers OTC hearing aids designed for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. They’re registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are a top seller on Amazon and at Walmart. Plus, USA Today rated Audien's 5-star hearing aids the “BEST HEARING AIDS OF 2024.2. Is Audien Hearing Beyond My Price Range?
Good hearing shouldn’t break the bank. That’s why we’re so impressed by Audien Hearing’s pricing. Conventional hearing aid options can run $5K and possibly higher. In contrast, Audien’s Atom 2 Series includes the Atom 2 ($189) and the Atom Pro 2 ($289), which provide comparable service at a fraction of what you’d pay for traditional hearing aids. How’s that for a trustworthy, effective, prescription-free alternative?
3. How’s The Sound Quality?
Just the way you like It — Audien’s A2 chip features crystal-clear sound. It cancels background noise and offers 4 versatile listening modes: Conversation, Noisy Environment, Road Vehicle, and Outdoor.
4. How’s The Fitting? Are They Comfortable?
Small & Discreet Tech has revolutionized the field, so super-compact size and modern, contoured design are now the industry standard. Audien understands the hurdles to resolving hearing issues — discreet technology, compact size, and contoured design make their hearing aids comfortable and practically invisible. You’ll forget you’re wearing them!
5. What Kind Of Batteries Do The Atom 2 and the Atom Pro 2 Use?
Say goodbye to batteries! Forget the hassle of battery changing.
A USB charger ensures that the Atom Pro 2 is compatible with your other charging devices. Audien’s batteries last 24 hours, so you can spend your time out and about instead of waiting for a battery to charge. In terms of rechargeability, Audienconveniently offers both wired and wireless recharging options.
6. What If I Don’t Like My Hearing Aid?
Audien Hearing is passionate about their hearing aids and what they do: they issue a 1-year warranty for defective hearing aids and guarantee a replacement. (The warranty doesn’t include broken, lost, or water-damaged products.)
They even have a 45-day, 100% money-back guarantee that provides total peace of mind when ordering. If your model doesn’t live up to its description or your expectations, return it within that 45-day window, and Audien will send back your money — simplicity itself.
Customer service is readily available via phone, chat, or email. Their help center also offers helpful and informative videos on setting up, wearing, and cleaning your Audien hearing aid.
Depending on your chosen model, Audien’s Atom 2 Series starts at only $189. This prescription-free solution is discrete and quite affordable. It can help amplify speech and reduce background noise, giving you a superb, high-quality audio experience.
So, whether you’re running a team meeting, hosting your book club, or kicking back with an old friend, a hearing aid like Audien’s Atom Pro 2 can bring the confidence and joy that comes from being fully connected to the world.
Say goodbye to expensive solutions and check out Audien’s high-quality audio experience today!
*https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/in-the-journals-hearing-aids-may-help-improve-brain-function
It Wasn't All Velvet...Pavel Zajíček Crosses The Line
After the Soviet Union took control of Czechoslovakia
and turned it into a satellite state in 1968, the Czech art
world took a massive hit. Things were especially tough
for musicians. Busking was illegal. Any music broadcast
over the radio was heavily censored. Only the most banal
pop was permitted. Musicians were not allowed to write
songs with English lyrics or to wear their hair long in the
fashion of American hippies.
Not the place, one would think, for some down-n-dirty rock n’ roll.
It turned out that Czechoslovakia was precisely the place rock n’ roll needed to be. Jensen and other writers have described how the flame of rebellion was kept alive by listening to such “decadent” Western groups as the Velvet Underground and The Mothers of Invention, Frank Zappa’s iconoclastic conglomeration of freaks and geeks. The dissenters didn’t just listen – many of them started their own bands.
Zajíček provided lyrics for The Plastic People of the Universe and later founded DG 307 – described as Czech underground sound poetry. The Communist authorities did their best to silence him. As Prague Radio International reports:
In one of the most notorious incidents of the political
clampdown of the 1970s, Pavel Zajicek was among
several musicians charged and sentenced for
“breaching the peace.” As a blatant violation of basic
civil liberties, the episode was one of the catalysts for
the most famous initiatives of the dissident movement,
Charter 77.
Like many lyricists, Zajíček wrote poetry that came out in samizdat form – banned literature that's clandestinely printed and distributed often by hand. He's the author of hundreds of song lyrics and twenty poetry collections. In 1976 he and members of the band The Plastic People of the Universe were arrested and Zajíček was sentenced to a year in prison. In 1980 he left Czechoslovakia for Sweden, after which he lived in the United States of America. In the wake of 1989’s “Velvet Revolution” – which ended 41 years of Communist rule – he returned to Prague, where an erstwhile colleague named Václav Havel had been elected President.
The poet Percy Bysshe Shelly once observed that “poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.” Havel and Zajíček and their compatriots helped shape contemporary Czech history and culture. It’s safe to say their achievements have been acknowledged.
In the dark times
will there also be singing?
Yes, there will also be singing.
About the dark times.
- Bertolt Brecht, 1939
Poet, Pavel Zajíček Typing - Photo by Minna M. Pyyhkala
A Sound Investment — My Experience With Audien Hearing Aids
Editor’s Note: I recently celebrated my 60th birthday. Although I still feel like a 30 year old on the inside — my hearing ability was starting to decline. I discovered Audien and couldn’t be happier with the results.
Here’s What My Life Sounded Like Before Audien:
“Can you repeat that?”
“What? I can’t hear you!”
“Huh???”
These are only some of the phrases plaguing my life these days. My husband will tell you that my hearing ability is not what it once was.
I knew my hearing loss was a real issue when we went to eat at our favorite Italian restaurant and everything sounded muffled. The waiter had to practically yell in my ear to tell me about the specials. As much as I hated to admit it, I definitely needed a hearing aid.
After some internet research and talking with friends, I was completely overwhelmed by conventional hearing aid options. Without knowing how well they’d work for me, shelling out upwards of $5,000 was not something I was ready to do…
Hearing loss has already taken a toll on my day-to-day activities, so the last thing I wanted to do was deal with stressful doctor appointments and an involved fitting process uncertain of what the results would be. Plus, as a self-proclaimed fashionista, I didn’t want a clunky, attention-drawing hearing aid to detract from my fabulous outfits.
I needed something affordable, simple to set up, and discreet — Enter Audien.
Here are a few reviews that helped convince me to give Audien a try:
Here’s What My Life Sounds Like After Audien:
For only $289, I got the Audien Atom Pro 2 hearing aids delivered right to my door. I was immediately blown away by the super compact size and modern design. With 4 versatile listening modes — Conversation, Noisy Environment, Road Vehicle, and Outdoor — simply hold down the button to switch between them.
After a quick charge, I chose the conversation mode and popped my hearing aids in. They even come with 3 different ear tip sizes (Medium works best for me) to ensure a comfortable fit. I put them to the test by talking with my husband and everything sounded crystal clear. I honestly couldn’t believe the sound quality for such a terrific price.
Audien’s 45 day money back guarantee gave me total peace of mind when ordering. Although it’s safe to say that I won’t be returning these!
Another amazing feature of the Atom Pro 2 is the self-cleaning UV technology within the case. The pandemic definitely turned me into a bit of a germaphobe, so I love the peace of mind that these stay clean automatically.
The real test was going out to dinner with my sweetie — he sounds just like he did on our first date. By amplifying speech and reducing background noise, the Atom Pro 2s totally transformed our dinner dates. No more repeating, no more shouting in my ear, and no more straining to understand. I chose the Noisy Environment mode for our local bistro, and it worked perfectly.
They’re really easy to charge and the battery lasts for 24 hours. This also means no pesky battery changing involved!
Final Thoughts:
The Atom Pro 2, makes the world sound crystal clear again. Talking on the phone’s a breeze and my husband’s vocal chords can finally relax. I truly wish I knew about Audien sooner, as my quality of life is so much better with them.
If you’re noticing signs of hearing loss, I’d totally recommend checking out Audien — with the 45 day money back guarantee, you’ve got nothing to lose!
Real People, Real Results — Uqora Customers’ Honest Reviews
Did you know that "urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most frequent clinical bacterial infections in women, accounting for nearly 25% of all infections”?* Hard to believe, right?!
Our editors were shocked but not surprised. We wondered what it would be like not to suffer. Imagine enjoying life without the discomfort, frustration, the ineffective home remedies, and cranberry juice hacks. Not in our lifetime.
But we wanted to get to the bottom of this common issue and help our readers. After much research, we came across a brand dedicated to spreading awareness of UTIs and tackling urinary health with a fresh approach. Meet Uqora, they specialize in UTI Education and make UTI relief products. In collaboration with physicians and scientists, they also created best-selling urinary tract health supplements that are designed to support women through the life stages that can impact urinary tract health.
If looking to get proactive about your urinary health, Uqora’s most popular bundle the Complete Regimen has three products, designed to support your urinary health from multiple angles:
Flush— an easy-to-drink beverage mix with a mild pink lemonade flavor. It offers a quick method to literally flush your urinary tract. It alkalizes your urine, reducing its acidity through a blend of unique ingredients. Flush aims to provide urinary support when you need it most, like after sex, exercise, or while traveling.
Defend— this daily supplement is designed to cleanse biofilm and support bladder wall integrity. Biofilm is a collection of microorganisms bound together that attach to surfaces, like the bladder wall. Defend is packed with active ingredients like turmeric root and green tea extract. It also contains Vitamin D, to help tighten junction proteins in the bladder, essentially connecting cells.
Promote — not your typical probiotic — Promote is a probiotic designed to support "good" bacteria that are specific to the vagina. It features three strains—Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus Reuter—which live naturally in a healthy vagina. It's great for individuals seeking additional support in maintaining vaginal health, which has been closely linked to urinary health.
From periods to menopause — and through all life’s changes — when one’s urinary health might need extra support, Uqora’s there for you.
Still need convincing? Uqora's site has a library of over 30,000 uncurated reviews** that can be filtered according to age ranges. But here are a few that caught our editors’ eyes.
If you’re still on the fence, Uqora’s happiness guarantee gives you time to try their products risk-free for 60 days. If you’re not satisfied, simply contact their customer success team for a refund. And you can opt out anytime you want — no commitment. A— a safety net you won’t be needing. But how nice to know it’s there!
While you can buy each product individually, we recommend a subscription for the best value. Uqora's best-selling Complete Regimen starts at only $52 (a $90 value), and automatically renews every 4 weeks. Plus, Uqora will email you 3 days before each shipment, just in case you want to adjust anything.
It’s time to say hello to better urinary tract health. Uqora’s got you covered.
*”https://uqora.info/blogs/learning-center/recurrent...
**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
Uqora's dietary supplement products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Results may vary.
8 Things You Didn't Know About Martin Luther King Jr.
But there's far more about Martin Luther King Jr. that isn't common knowledge. Here are a few things that have been forgotten over the course of history:
1. King was a strong supporter of democratic socialism.
During the 2016 election, Bernie Sanders brought the term "democratic socialism" to the forefront of American politics. But Martin Luther King Jr. openly supported the philosophy throughout his life. As a child, King saw the bread lines during the Great Depression. "I can see the effects of this early childhood experience on my present anti-capitalistic feelings," he wrote in 1950 while he was a divinity student. King saw capitalism as "a system that takes necessities from the masses to give luxuries to the classes."
2. King's activism went far beyond the Civil Rights Movement.
He also protested the Vietnam War. In 1967, King delivered a speech entitled "Beyond Vietnam," in which he called for the United States to stop bombing in Vietnam. He also argued that American troops should be pulled out of the area and the U.S. should enter into a truce that would lead to peace talks. King viewed the American intervention in Vietnam as imperialism. He was staunchly anti-war and a pacifist.
3. It wasn't until the year 2000 that MLK Day was observed in every state.
While Martin Luther King Day became a federal holiday in 1986, not every state observed it until South Carolina was the final state to recognize the holiday in 2000. Because MLK Day is a federal holiday — not a national one — only federal employees received a paid day off. The holiday was met with resistance when it was first enacted because some felt King was too subversive to receive federal recognition.
4. King had numerous academic accomplishments.
Throughout his life, King's intellect shined in his writing and activism. As an adolescent, he skipped both the 9th and 12th grades. At 15, he entered Morehouse College and eventually received his Doctorate of Philosophy in Systematic Theology from Boston University in 1955. He was awarded many honorary degrees — Doctor of Laws, Doctor of Letters, Doctor of Humanities, and Doctor of Divinity.
5. Over 900 streets in the United States are named after Martin Luther King Jr.
After his assassination in 1968, many cities and states re-named streets in his honor. His name even graces streets in foreign countries. Forty states in America have at least one street named after King. Unfortunately, many of the streets in the U.S. with his namesake often struggle economically. These streets tend to have high levels of poverty and racial segregation in comparison to other streets in their respective cities.
6. He was the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
In 1964, King received the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent resistance to racial prejudice in America. At 35, he was the youngest person to ever receive the award. Alfred Nobel, for whom the award is named, described the recipient of the Peace Prize as "the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses."
7. King was a fan of Star Trek.
The classic science fiction TV show first aired in 1966. Star Trek made an indelible mark on American pop culture and civil rights. The U.S.S. Enterprise crew was composed of various races and nationalities, including Lieutenant Uhura. Nichelle Nichols sought King's advice about whether she should leave the show after its first season. King encouraged her to stay on. He believed that the representation of an African-American woman in a position of leadership on the Starship Enterprise was too important.
8. He was TIME Magazine's first Black Man of the Year.
In 1963, TIME Magazine named King the Man of the Year. That was the same year King delivered his famous "I Have A Dream" speech on the steps of President Abraham Lincoln's memorial. The magazine cited King's essay "Letter from Birmingham Jail" and his leadership of many peaceful protests as justification for the accolade.