Now more than ever

The arts have a way of making us think and react. They have a way of forcing us to consider our stage in life and our humanity. At times, art can show a parallel to society and at times it can tell history that needs repeating. In these ways, the arts are important to our culture.

Increasingly, the American art form is cinema -- with the stage a close second. Yesterday I saw a movie and a play that each shine bright as a work of art and each provoked thought. And, in a time of troubled national and international events, each made me think and react, made me consider my stage in life and my humanity.

The movie "Good Night, and Good Luck" takes viewers almost 50 years ago to a television news landscape very different from today. Through the storytelling about the hesitation of newsmen to question the tactics of Sen. Joseph McCarthy's witch hunt for communists in the American government, the film carefully shows this blotch on our national record, and it's not a far leap to see some parallels with the last few years. As our citizens become more fearful of terrorists and attacks, those in power have used fear to manipulate and extend power, sometimes with propaganda and tactics straight from McCarthy's play book.

David Strathairn as Murrow is absolutely brilliant. Directed by George Clooney, the film does not over play any scene and its use of only black and white tones helps focus the attention on the drama and conflict rather than appearing as a period piece.

It's a wonderful bit of film, one that many people should see and discuss for its larger implications about our current culture and society.

Later, I saw a stage version of "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck. I'd never read the book or seen the play, though I had scant knowledge about the plot and a working knowledge of the author. This was powerful drama. The show is part of the five-year project titled "The American Cycle," at the Intiman Theatre stages one American classic -- a classic with cultiral significance -- annually. The prescience of the planners to schedule "The Grapes of Wrath" for 2005 was amazing. The show features the travels of the Joad family across the country, fleeing their home ravaged by the Dust Bowl and seeking a better life in the land of milk and honey. Along the way, we all learn about humanity -- about the ability to hate and the ability to love.

Responsibly, the lobby displayed several placards about the government programs of the era, programs designed to help Americans economically, because we were all in this together. The displays also showed some comparisons to current calamities from struggling salmon production and Washington state's drought that plagues the orchard industry to the impact of the two major hurricanes that hit the Gulf Coast just a few weeks ago.

This play comes at a time when American humanity is being tested. It is a time when billions of dollars are spent each day to prop up a government halfway around the world, while at home thousands still go without food and reliable shelter because everything they have is gone, wiped away by a hurricane. Thtough the recent tragedies, we saw that Americans are exceptionally compassionate, but we saw that Americans can be very selfish, too. The drive exhibited by the Joad family makes me wonder if there is that kind of drive in America today. Can we put aside our individual comfort for the risk of a shaky promise, knowing it could help the greater good? Can we sacrifice nearly everything we have and certainly everything we value in order to start fresh? I don't know.

Now more than ever, we need the arts to show us our humanity. These pieces of art are relevant and timely. They hold up a mirror and say to us: Remember what has happened before. It is happening again. We should use these artistic representations to stop and think. We should use them as a catalyst for a new set of actions.

Now more than ever, we need the arts to remind us of our humanity.

-- Seattle