Friday, February 21, 2014

More Love, Less Hate...

If you keep up with current events, then you're probably aware of the recent bill passed in Arizona that would effectively allow establishments to ban gay people on religious grounds.  I don't talk much about politics or sexuality here, but it is pretty obvious where I stand on this.  It is an affront to human rights and basic decency.  Not only does it spit in the face of civil rights, but it is silly and riddled with inherent problems.  I won't go into the fine details, as there are other blogs and other websites that are already doing so with great depth and clarity.  I will say that I am saddened to see hate proliferating and saddened to see that there are people who don't see this as hate.

I'm not a lawyer.  I'm not a politician.  I'm not a famous celebrity or podium-weilding public speaker.  But… in life, there are many things that can combat hate.  One of the most effective that I've seen is love.  I am an artist and quietly go about making things.  And while what I make won't veto bills or end bigotry, I hope that what I make brings a little beauty in this world, help counterbalance the hate and promote a positive message.

"more love, less hate"

I stamped a copper blank with the message and then textured it with the ball-peen side of the hammer.  I flame-polished it with my torch and added a patina.  I then punched holes in it and added wire-wrapped dangles.  The dangles have rubies and Czech glass.  The rest of the necklace is made up of matte, tumbled rose quartz nuggets, African copper spacers, opalescent trade beads, "gooseberry" trade beads, and a copper toggle to pull it all together.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

My favorite restaurant sign via the Internet is:

"We Reserve The Right Not To Serve Legislators".

What has been happening is hate - pure, simple, and disgusting.

Gaea said...

Beautiful words and design. Love is love. XO

Alice said...

Kansas, (my state) is trying to do the same. I'm ashamed of this bill and hope it does not pass. Unfortunately Kansas is ultra conservative.

We need more compassion not more ugly bills.

Lori Bowring Michaud said...

Amen, Andrew.

Holly said...

As Someone once said, Love is blind. It goes where it wants. To deny love is the ugliest view to take. Small actions are still actions, and strength to you for doing this.

Unknown said...

Civil rights and the changing of laws across our country has been an almost constant topic in our household since I photographed a wedding between two grooms last Thanksgiving. It's hard to explain hate to my children. They don't understand why equal rights exist in some states, but not others. I hope that when they are grown, our country looks much different to them and that this uglyness in Arizona is a distant memory. I love that you continually strive to bring beauty into this world of ours.

wmp said...

Boycotting AZ until it becomes more tolerant and accepting!

wmp said...

Was seriously looking into a Grand Canyon vacation next year but when I heard about the law we changed our plans and won't consider it until AZ chooses to become more tolerant and accepting.