The Honor That Shouldn’t
Be , But Deserves To
Japan has long had a program recognizing contribution to the
arts at national level. They call it “Ningen KokuhÅ” or “National Living Treasures of Japan.”
I thought about this in context of focusing on individuals I consider doing amazing works right here in the U.S. gay population. Such artists as poet Richard Blanco ; who read
for Obama’ second inauguration; Tony
Kushner whose milestone play (and later HBO miniseries) “Angels in America” encapsulated gay culture of the 80’s; Annie
Liebovitz, whose photography has shown consistent growth and genius across the
land; or Ellsworth Kelly, the painter at the vanguard of “Hard Edge painting,”
still growing and working at 93.
These, and many more could aptly be considered “National Treasures” by
our country and so honored in some sort of organized recognition . Not as in the
Kennedy Center Awards, which are limited to the performing arts, but in all artistic endeavors of this land in
a more general sense, giving credence to
the levels to which these people have risen. They deserve the acknowledgement and award we so freely give to athletics.
My thinking wandered to the question, “Why ‘Gay’ National Treasures? Gay
is just a part of their lives and their art. Wouldn’t I be asking to perpetuate
a division, a separation, from the population as a whole by putting them into a
yet another minority?” But then I
considered that gay people do have a real separation. They have been made to
suffer indignity and degradation in society by nature of their sexuality alone.
We have been separated without choice from general population.
This last week, reading an article by a learned professor, addressing the
recent Indiana law of religious freedom, and its application in the denial of
service to gays justified by religious
belief convictions of a baker . This educated man, sympathetically defending
the issue as another discrimination, nevertheless used the term “lifestyle” in reference to the LGBT community. This points out the perpetuation of even subtle
separation still existing in our nation.
“Gay” is not a “lifestyle” It is
part of human “being” It is inborn. Yes,
a subculture “style” exists, but it does so mostly because of alienation from
the rest of the community at large.
There is even a term “closeted” pertaining to gays who do not live as
part of a gay subculture. They are able
to hide their sexuality . That is a
discussion for another time, but it points out fact that many gay people for
whatever reason do not live a “gay lifestyle.”
From that, I extrapolated the thought that perhaps “Gay” is a
valid appendation to “National Treasure,”
because gay artists have had to overcome especially egregious oppression
to follow their art only because of their sexual being. They have endured bullying, assault,
derision, and even religious persecution in their lives, making it that much harder to rise above and
become a “Treasure” in their
artistry. That needs to be
recognized. Of course, there is also just cause for a “Black National
Treasure,“ “Women’s National Treasure.” and other parts under the “National Treasure” designation.
It shouldn’t be that way.
The “National Treasure” should stand alone as a recognition of attained excellance in a chosen art field
irrespective of color, creed, education, or any other social category. Someday we might reach that point, but, for
now, in spite of it still noting separation, “LGBT National Treasures” has reason to stand , as long as the grouping of
gays is perpetuated under “undesirable minority .” We need to be shown as individuals of excellence.
We are fully capable of attaining the epitome of artisic level, and we need to show that to the Nation as a
matter of undiluted and indisputable
fact and pride.
Thus ,there is good reason to embrace the idea of starting a program of
“Living National LGBT Treasures” until
the time comes when artists can be judged solely on their art without concern
to whom they sleep with.
-
Jerry Wendt 2015
toward
a more sedate tableau not requiring awkward answers.
