Corita Kent (Sister Mary Corita): it can be said of them (1969)

Inscriptions and Marks
Signed: l.c.: Corita
(not assigned): Printed text reads: it can be said of him, as of few men in like position, that he did not fear the weather and did not trim his sails, but instead, challenged the wind itself to improve its direction and to cause it to blow more softly and more kindly over the world and its people. the New Yorker
inscription: l.l., in graphite: 68-69-81

—

"We deserve to live in a land of the Decent and the home of the Thems!"

One under-appreciated aspect of the current War on Decency involves continually Themming Decency. Our incumbent characterizes Democracy, until very recently seen as a common element governing American life, as Themocracy, something ‘those other deplorable people practice.’ Anything not actively undermining Decency must be characterized as evil, even, especially, Decency itself. The Repuglicans refer to The Democratic Party as Themocrats, and insist that none of ‘us’ should be caught dead collaborating with ‘those people.’ I have even begun self-identifying as a Them, since that label clearly distances me from the apparent source of the problem. If ‘us’ stands for what he espouses, I gladly see myself as a Them. Us, once so inclusive, has become exclusive in a way that some wealthy golf retreats might seek to distance their members from all others. In this way, they’ve already successfully seceded from our union. So much the worse for ‘em, and good riddance!

Yet our union remains strong if wrongly characterized by those dedicated to undermining Decency.

Tags: #Decency, #PureSchmaltz

Unknown Artist-East Asia, Japan:
Decorative Sculpture in the Form of a Grasshopper or Cricket
(Late Edo period, 1615-1868, 19th century)

"The crickets said more than words in response."

Decency makes no discernible sound. Descretion regulates its responses. It will not easily rise to provocation. It holds its cards closest to its vest. If you want to know what Decency thinks, ask, then wait for an interminable-seeming time, for Decency will never be in the business of disclosure, and it demands deliberation time. It will not move with the wind and does not require much ego gratification. It understands that very little is ever about it and takes very little terribly personally. It already has plenty and does not desire to accumulate much more. It avoids appearing unseemly at pretty much any cost. It does not do surly.

A large room filled with generals and admirals, brought together to rile them up, remains silent through speeches that were intended to burn barns.

Tags: #Decency, #PureSchmaltz