tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post7531716560441681159..comments2024-03-29T08:14:32.748-04:00Comments on Bonfire of the Vanities: The Humanism of Norman RockwellFr Martin Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-26953204974998642252022-01-04T13:11:34.935-05:002022-01-04T13:11:34.935-05:00Dear Fr. Martin - Thank you and bless you for this...Dear Fr. Martin - Thank you and bless you for this article; beautifully written, yes indeed. I found you because I was specifically looking for this painting and your site popped up in Google images.<br /><br />I was seeking this particular painting because I remember it well... and I was riveted. Everyone had a subscription to The Saturday Evening Post back then, in the 50's and 60's - it was un-American not to, sort of like not watching The Lone Ranger. :D (Or Donna Reed and yes, I have been known to clean the house in heels and pearls - good grief!)<br /><br />I have always adored Rockwell, but my absolute favorite has always been <i>The Golden Rule</i>; <i>Murder in Mississippi</i> was just too heartbreaking. So glad he switched to Look Magazine.<br /><br />I am a 75-year old WASP raised in small town Pennsylvania and abroad; Blacks were nearly non-existant in my home town and my only encounter was with Roxy, my aunt's maid. I adored her and her unbelievable hugs. I remember Mother driving past the itty-bitty Baptist Church in our itty-bitty town on the occasional Sunday, and I'd roll down the window to better hear the amazing singing eminating from it. I never heard a bad word spoken against anyone of any color; it simply was not done, being left to those south of the Mason-Dixon line. At least, that was what we were taught.<br /><br />And now, here we are and frankly, I'm glad Rockwell isn't around to see it. Opposing political parties ooze in and out of what is right and kind over the decades, engaging in - and encouraging - cruelty and the lust for power. <br /><br />It must be hard to be a priest in this day and age; I don't envy you the task but admire the courage, stamina of honesty, and insight needed to see it through.<br /><br />Please thank Greta for her comment - it is a really good read.<br /><br />Respectfully,<br /><br />AnnieAnnie McGuirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17757746118913600551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-47835887437783156342012-01-19T11:57:11.033-05:002012-01-19T11:57:11.033-05:00I'm sorry I just found this post now. I love N...I'm sorry I just found this post now. I love Norman Rockwell. Sure he idealized things sometimes, but he was a fantastic illustrator. I think illustrators as a whole are underappreciated. An illustrator tells a story, and shows us a part of life (real or imagined) that communicates something. Like your story of the grandfather and grandsons, life is full of "Norman Rockwell" moments -- and if people choose not to see, communicate or celebrate them, that doesn't meant they aren't there!!!! I am tired of elite "communicators" who despise the normal and wholesome and good.Gail Finkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02117490028494416722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-34507078712291838712012-01-13T11:16:07.120-05:002012-01-13T11:16:07.120-05:00What a nice, thought-provoking article. Thanks! ...What a nice, thought-provoking article. Thanks! This is a great blog. I came across your site through the Hermeneutic of Community site, which I came to in my search for a book by Pere Croiset on the Sacred Heart of Jesus (which I still can't find!). I have actually been to your St. Clare Chapel. I live in Troy, but we don't have exposition there - wish we did! Maybe someday!Denisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10839986668903271138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-80405211070513611522011-12-26T21:40:19.692-05:002011-12-26T21:40:19.692-05:00Greta:
I think it took about 90 minutes to go thr...Greta:<br /><br />I think it took about 90 minutes to go through the exhibit, give or take.Fr Martin Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-10265593920648304542011-12-26T21:22:02.834-05:002011-12-26T21:22:02.834-05:00Forgot one thing. We went down to the Cincinnati ...Forgot one thing. We went down to the Cincinnati Union Terminal with Grandkids today for the train exhibit and as we went through the Cincinnati history exhibit on the way, we were going through the war years. In that exhibit is a big board with various catagories of people and where and how they could serve in WWII. It had men, caucasian and ages, and the later colored men who clearly had to serve in "segregated" units. Few remember how it was or how far we have come in a very short time frame on the issue of race. We took some time to talk about this to our grandkids mentioning that coney island did not integrate until the late 50's early 60's and then it was about 5 more years before colored were allowed into the swimming pool. Washington DC was segregated until Eisenhower. FDR refused to support the anti lynching law being proposed because his Democratic Party refused to back it and he needed their votes to keep power. Many are surprised by our recent history. Our grandkids were under the impression that the Democratic Party was the party for African Americans and did not know that Republicans had freed them, Republicans had introduced the amendments 13-24-15 to give them protection. Republicans had introduced civil rights legislation and anti lynching legislation. The did not know that 99% of the KKK was made up of Democrats or that those holding power to put those fire hoses on the blacks they have seen were Democrats. The history of race in this country has certainly been hijacked and very poorly taught in our schools. We had quite a crowd of people around us by the time we finished our short history lesson as the old grandfolks. <br /><br />I found it interesting your observation about the Saturday Evening post and this history lession at the museum. <br /><br />GretaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-24878174673974471532011-12-26T21:12:45.344-05:002011-12-26T21:12:45.344-05:00We are heading up to see the exhibit on Wednesday....We are heading up to see the exhibit on Wednesday. We have been to his museum a couple of times in New England and his house and studio. Both my husband and I love Rockwell and agree completely with your wonderful post. <br /><br />How long did it take you to go through the exhibit? <br /><br />GretaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-73332670259552140532011-12-26T20:59:05.418-05:002011-12-26T20:59:05.418-05:00Very thought-provoking; thanks! (Came here via Al...Very thought-provoking; thanks! (Came here via Althouse, fwis.)Kirk Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05921711310191924997noreply@blogger.com