Why Do I Have Sympathy For A Pirate?

The Somali pirate situation has me bothered on so many levels. First, it's alarming that pirates are now willing to attack major U.S. merchant ships (even considering their pathetically small and rundown boats they use to do this.) I'm a little tired of worrying about the state of our foreign policy, so I'm going to leave that one alone for the most part. Typically I would be on board with those who are crying to make an example of the surviving pirate who is now being held for charges in New York (because that is apparently where African crimes and issues are dealt with.) In a theoretical way I still feel that way. However, after seeing the pictures of him in the news all I really feel is sympathy.

People were outraged because he was smiling when he got off the boat and was being photographed on the way into the court house (or jail... I'm not sure which.) He was handcuffed and in a prison-type uniform, but was grinning like he just won the lottery. The reason being that in his mind he did. When outraged reporters grilled his lawyer about why he was happy, they replied "He had never seen a camera before." That breaks my heart. He was happy to be in America - to see its affluence and humane treatment of people... even a reviled prisoner like himself.

It is important to note here that the amount of money they took from the Maersk Alabama was only US$30,000. Now, $30k is nothing to turn your nose up at, but at the same time is $30k worth a lifetime in prison? Or the high probability of being killed in the process? Or having to commit atrocities that you don't want to do, but feel are necessary because you're so desperate for money?

That figure makes me sick. This is how impoverished Somalia is - $30k would actually have made a difference for those pirates. They would have felt as rich as I would feel winning a million. I can't even fathom such a place. This is another reason I feel sympathy for the pirate.

Going in to the charging proceedings, there remains great debate about his age. It has been reported as being anywhere from 15-26 with no accurate records to support any of them. It can generally assumed that he was at least of a cognizant age and that he therefore understood that his actions were wrong. This will most likely result in a lifetime prison sentence on the 4 felony counts he is being charged with having to deal with very old laws regarding piracy and hostages. Such a sentence is most likely fair. I wouldn't argue with it assuming the evidence proves them all. However, it still doesn't make me feel any better about the situation.

As Americans we are quick to judge... virtually everything and everyone. I don't know why this is, but I do think humility is a lost virtue for most Americans. Probably including myself. Yet, I can't stand to hear the people calling for the pitchforks and mob before even listening to the full story. Now, Captain Philips has the right to any opinion since he was the victim and acted incredibly heroically. He is the one light in this whole mess. He accepted his responsibility and handled it admirably saving the lives and well being of his crew. He deserves a Presidential or Congressional medal for his actions. I just wish that people would be willing to at least look at the situation to understand the piracy situation.

The Obama Administration talks about wanting to improve our image abroad and rebuild relationships with other nations. To make a safer, better world. I certainly do not disagree with those aspirations. However, instead of wasting time having photo ops with Russian and Venezuelan leaders, maybe we could think of a legitimate humanitarian assistance program for Somalia. I bet then they wouldn't be so eager to go after Western merchant vessels.

Untitled #4

I have been thinking a lot about contemporary art lately and most importantly why I love it so much when others have such great disdain for it. We went to the High Museum of Art two weekends ago (along with the rest of Atlanta and the surrounding areas apparently) to see the exhibit: The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army. I have been interested in seeing the Terracotta Army since studying it in 9th Grade World History. I think it's absolutely fascinating and an amazing artistic and historical discovery. Once upon a time I even dreamed of taking a trip to China to see them and the excavation site. So, when the High announced it was going to bring part of the exhibit here I was elated! Of course I would still love to visit China one day, but if it by chance doesn't work out I still got to see the army. The High did a superb job of curating the exhibit. Much better than any I have seen there in the last 3 years (the Impressionist exhibit was installed terribly despite some of the fine pieces as were most segments of the Louvre Atlanta exhibit.) The trip was worth the annoying throng of army-viewers that exploded from OTP like cockroaches running for cover when the lights are turned on. My husband conducted a random sampling while we were waiting and concluded that 75% of the visitors that day were obese. This did not assist in our efforts to view and appreciate the ancient artifacts. They also hovered within the museum etiquettely-correct 18 inches of a piece. It was quite infuriating. Thankfully it did not detract from the exquisite pieces themselves. This is not to say that I did not unwillingly shove my purse into the protruding bellies of several visitors attempting to suffocate me. Oops.

Upon completing our journey through The First Emperor, we decided to see the last Louvre Atlanta exhibit. It was massively disappointing, but at least there were no crowds. We then went to the main building of the High where the permanent collection is held. I was pleased to see the new acquisitions of modern and contemporary pieces. Despite my great appreciation for the classic painters, there is something about the contemporaries especially that I love. The more it looks like a pre-schooler had a tantrum and threw his fingerpaints against the wall, the better I say. I wish I could afford to buy real pieces of art and not the sad poster depictions of them, but unfortunately real art is not a luxury that is in my current budget. Maybe one day...

I was viewing the newly acquired pieces and was on cloud nine. There's nothing like beautiful art to put me in a good mood, although it caused me to think about why so many people not only do not appreciate modern and contemporary art, but actually hate it. The beauty I see in the "randomness" that I know is not random at all completely escapes those who say "Well, I could do that."Maybe you could, but you don't. That is the difference. Maybe we all could be contemporary artists in our own way, but most of us are not. We don't even try.

Now, I don't view myself to be an artist, merely an appreciator of art. I'm honestly not as well versed in art history as I would like, but I try to improve. So, I do not want to paint a giant canvass blue and call it "untitled abyss #7." I certainly appreciate the person who thought that was worthwhile though. And if art is truly a reflection of our age (in the generational/era sense, not actual years), then contemporary art is more telling than most of our mediums accurately reflect. Contemporary art embraces what we are and shows it to us. Maybe we are just blue paint on a square canvas, but what shade of blue? Why has the need to accurately portray people vanished? Are we so similar - or complimentary to one another - that our pixels merely combine to form a solid page? Perhaps. Or perhaps not - which is why the nature of the pieces vary. Or do we simply need a return to the basics to understand who we are and what life is truly about? I think the latter is why it speaks to me on such a profound level.

I'm in the initial planning stages of a possible summer vacation that has anywhere from 2-4 art museum visits scheduled. I can't wait.