I’ve been meaning to post about last week’s Come Together, and Harrell Fletcher’s talk on his project The American War last week. Everytime I try to start it comes out so much less powerful and moving than the event itself actually was. Luckily, Carolyn Zick, who attended the event, made a fantastic post at Dangerous Chunky, which I’ll excerpt here, but I encourage you to go over and read the whole thing. Thank you so much, Carolyn, for your thoughtful and eloquent post. I’m really glad you were there!
The diverse group included those that had served in war, been impacted by siblings serving or dying in war, a female Marine who spoke publicly for the first time regarding the violent assault that ended her military career, and a Vietnam hospital pharmacist. The blocks of oral histories were broken by intermissions, undoubtedly meant to encourage small group discussions. The term that most keeps coming to the surface to describe the evening is consciousness-raising.
Great event. This and the Walid Raad/The Atlas Group lecture last year were two of the most effective art events locally to deal with the current war, even if both dealt indirectly with the subject. Raad and his extensive documentary-posing archive of fact and fiction from the conflicts in Lebanon prompt us to question the “facts” as we know them regarding the current war. Because the information appears authentic and seems to be coming from a reliable source doesn’t mean it is authentic or reliable. So who are we to believe? Harrell Fletcher’s Come Together event answered this question – believe the powerful personal stories from folks who experienced firsthand the pride, trauma and struggles associated with military service — believe the average folks from the community who have nothing to gain from not telling the truth. Jim O’D
Betsey, this was an evening that continues to sit in my head. I’m appreciative to the Henry for hosting it, grateful to Harrell for being compelled to initiate such work and very glad I went. Thanks for the kind words.
-Carolyn