"A Universal Call" by Jo-Anne Allison in Support of The Arc
A very-special bonus Mother's Day post.
Written specifically for NNH by my mom: Mrs. Jo-Anne Allison.
A Universal Call
by Jo-Anne Allison
In 2004 I attended a graduation ceremony at Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. The guest speaker for the commencement was author Dan Pink and he made this quote:
“The last few decades have belonged to people with certain skills—
computer whizzes who could crack codes, legal eagles who could
structure deals, and MBA’s who could run the numbers. But these
masters of the universe are about to confront a jarring reality: The future belongs to people who can create beauty and touch the human soul. Artists. Empathizers. Designers. Storytellers. These people – these right-brained, intuitive people – are the next business elite”.
Two decades have passed, we’ve seen the truth of his prediction in the
corporate world. Businesses have engaged creative minds to enhance their commercials, design their displays, and even influence their personnel policies for better work climates. Business has benefited from ‘right-brained, intuitive’ people.
Presently, people from multiple generations are ignoring business as usual. They are feeling the pressure, resistance and frustration of their culture being shattered by self-centered, ego oriented, control obsessed people and policies. We have seen violence replace mediation, people detained solely by color or nationality, fear invoked by masked authority wielding guns and clubs. We have become frustrated, disheartened, afraid and in some cases, hopeless.
Some have found the strength and motivation to protest, rebel and be heard. Having lived through protests of the 60’s... Vietnam war, racial discrimination and women’s inequality... protesting, rebelling and being heard can get results. It’s often earned at a high price and lengthy duration. Those participating are often tempted and drawn into the very clutches of the behavior they abhor.
This is a plea, a universal call to all those ‘right-brained, intuitive’ people that saw their creativity influence a result two decades ago. Now, more than ever, we need beauty and a touch to the human soul. Artists. Empathizers. Designers. Storytellers. Musicians. We crave the thought that things can, again, be normal. Children and youth need to be stimulated to express their optimism. Those with experience creating need to produce with determination that they are ‘good enough’. Their inspiration and impact are affecting far beyond their reach.
Art in any form can take up residence in the human soul. In private it becomes a source of daily stimulation. In public it becomes a source of brilliance and vision. Where do you find yourself? What are you thinking? Are you creating? The world, and particularly our country, needs you now. You can lead the way!
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. There are over 8 million people with IDD in the United States, which encompasses over 100 different diagnoses, including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and more.
Taking a few weeks off to spend my Tuesday mornings, Thursday afternoons, and Saturdays making art stuff. I'm excited about the continued evolution of NNH - especially through in-person projects. Kinda weird how online behavior now sets the standard for real world interactions- Might be time to have a couple of conversations with total strangers (while looking them in the eye and practicing good posture.) ✌️🧡
Word up mom.
A call to action, commonly known by the initialism CTA, is a strategic marketing tool designed to spur an immediate response from an audience, guiding them toward a specific action.
A call to action, commonly known by the initialism CTA, is a strategic marketing tool designed to spur an immediate response from an audience, guiding them toward a specific action.
NNH began with the (perhaps naive) hope that it could be of service to folks who needed it. I wasn't exactly sure who that meant- Was it the potential readership? The Mutual Aid groups that would be featured in each post? Or other creative types (equally fed up with the constant "me at the center" paradigm required by our Tech Overlords) looking for a place to get weird and do some good.
SO, if you're out there- whomever you may be- Let me know. Leave a comment. Click a link. Tell a friend. Pitch an idea. Do anything to feel less alone in the world.
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