Open Letter to Anita Walker,
Executive Director,
Massachusetts Cultural Council
Currently I am working on the new front cover illustration for The American
Dissident, a 501 c3 nonprofit journal devoted to literature, democracy, and
dissidence. I have a photo of you, O’Leary and others handing a check to Lucy
Loomis, director of Sturgis Library in Barnstable. Since you will be depicted
naked with Loomis and O’Leary on the front cover (“The Little Emperors Have No
Clothes”), I wanted to give you a chance to respond prior to my completion of
the illustration. My complaint regarding Loomis and Sturgis Library is quite
simple.
The
library’s own policy stipulates “Libraries should challenge censorship […].”
Yet Sturgis not only banned my flyers, but also permanently banned me from its
premises on June 19th without due process or even warning. Why?
Well, I’d had the audacity to WRITE criticism regarding Loomis’ egregious
hypocrisy vis-a-vis that written library policy. No threats, four-letter words,
or sexual innuendos were made in my WRITTEN comments. Mind-boggling? You bet!
My
question to you is quite simple: Why would you wish to support such a fascistic
director and institution with taxpayer monies?
Finally,
it is sad that the MCC refuses to help support The American Dissident, a
unique literary journal that actually dares criticize cultural institutions…
like the MCC itself. In fact, I no longer apply for local MCC grants. Why
bother when state culture tends to be defined as politically-correct, anodyne
smiley-faced?
Surprise
me with a response. Surprise me that you are not so entangled in politics that
you can actually think with clarity. If I do not hear from you, this letter
will appear in the issue. Thank you for your attenion.
[NO RESPONSE!]
Walker is depicted above in the watercolor as a state toadie wearing a crown.
