Let me clear my throat: April confessions

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I am not a positive person in Pinecrest for whom overflow parking with shuttle service is an artistic draw to which I am attracted. It may seem like we have lost our ability to accommodate. It may seem like we have lost civility. It may seem like people are crueler than they used to be. Trolling may seem like we have lost our minds. People can be abrasive, abusive, and caustic. We can be both judgmental and despise judgmental people.

We are not saints. People are complex mysteries capable of generosity, contempt for others, and an inability to comprehend how we too can be so agreeable and bitter at the same time.

Still, I maintain the belief that there are more nice people than vicious people. Therefore, as another season and its plentiful events near an end, I wanted to send a few thank yous on behalf of a pack of people who make your artistic lives better by having made my life better, so let me try.

The unadorned version goes like this. A writer gets an idea and reaches out. Good people respond and help the writer. The writer asks a few questions, does a bit of research, and a story follows. Here are a few folks who helped me help you and entertained us. They have been kind.

Here are some names in intentionally random order, without whom, unequivocally, there would be less beauty, fewer experiences, and a smaller number of stories about Art in Miami:

Grant Miller, Gary Ruse, Teo Castellanos, Frank Consola, Gary Peterson, Beth Boone, Gino Campodonico, Alexandra Medina, Igor Shteyrenberg, Eric Fliss, Masha Enriquez, Nicolle Noel Ugarriza, Lisette Mendez, Flagga, Joe Diaz, Michael Valentine, Andy Harlow, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Rosie Herrera, Rachel Pinzur, Andrea Salazar, Tati Basanta, Michelle Grant Murray, Sol Ruiz, Paige Sclar, Amparo Vargas, Oscar de la Guardia, Carolina Hassun, Wallace Cortazar, Valeria Yamamoto, Javier Gil, Wayne Bumpers, Marc Magellan, Erotokritos Skordilis, Nicole Danna, Micah Stubbs and a hundred more whose presence I have yet to encounter.

These people are local, and this list is light years away from comprehensive; rather, it is a simple thank you. I have been writing for the Community Newspapers for almost twelve years, 173 stories. They appear here, there, or anywhere. The people listed above have helped me. There are events whose PR people are based elsewhere. Some ignore local queries. Others warmly help like Page Bakunas, Mara Gans, Ally Maldonado, Alexandra Leach, who rep III Points, Billboard, Untitled, Art Miami and others. My name dropping is done. Sincerely, I appreciate the help and hope to be able to work together again.

All of us harbor beliefs about politics, religion, race, ethnicity, food, art, music, DEI, BLM, CRT, CNN, school boards, abortion, big pharma, the PTA, the NRA, immigration, sports, etc.

We are human. There is no end to our opinionated selves. We will argue incessantly to no avail about any old thing. We both seek conflict and avoid conflict. We blame others far too easily. We are simultaneously certain about and lack confidence in our opinions. All are flawed.

Consideration, compassion, compromise, etiquette, empathy, and patience can appear elusive. However, our desire to suffer through speech that appalls us should be stronger than our desire to cancel people whose freedom of speech we find offensive. Before tweeting angry responses to all we find horrifying, we should take a breath and take one for democracy. Seek the truth, forgive one another, and reconcile. This is my opinion. Feel free to disagree.

 

 

ABOUT US:

For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.

This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.

Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.

If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com.


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