But the real choices begin with you, the filmmakers, actors, writers and musicians who do influence all of us. It is your choices that make the movies or music possible. There are wonderful stories out there waiting to be discovered. Please make films for all age groups. You can find movie scripts outside of Hollywood that really speak to who we are, especially for women's roles. Sarah Palin was no different than most of the female characters you create for your movies. If you didn't like her in real life, why make movies about women like her? Many women have grown beyond the archetypal father's daughter, which she is. Why not show the world what conscious American women are really like.
We need better stories about men, because our men need to be inspired to become more than they are. They need better role models than you're giving them. When the Native peoples were under attack from the American army, do you think the tribes told stories to the young about how to act like idiots? No, they told ancient stories to inspire their courage and intention. Our teens especially need better stories!
Now for our musicians. WHERE ARE YOU? You have so much power to change us. Look at the music that came out of the 60s. It seeped through iron curtains and created hope in millions of hearts. Our music is still as relevant today as it was then, because this election is a continuation of the 60s revolution. It's a peaceful, more mature revolution, because we need to show each other and the world that we really can 'make love not war' this time.
Musicians, we need your help. I was just listening to Simon & Garfunkle's America. It still speaks to our situation. So where are the new songs from Paul Simon, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan? Bruce Springsteen and the Eagles have written beautiful and relevant new music. Sting always has something important to say. Many young and unknown musicians are creating beautiful, meaningful music. How can you older musicians help unknown, but brilliant younger ones get their music out? What can you do to help inspire us to understand this new world we find ourselves creating?
Now to our community artists and social artists. Please find ways to work together to create community plays and projects that educate and inspire people to understand and then speak up on their local issues. What kind of gorilla theater will meet your community's needs? How can you create art shows with dance and storytelling to educate people about local concerns so they go to their town councils and create change on a local and state levels?
As you can see, it will take more than emails to our Congresspeople to create change. We need a change of Heart. And that comes through our Artists and their works.
So Please! Become peaceful revolutionaries. Create art that inspires not just the American people, but people all over the world, to change course and save our planet.
With great respect for all Artists,
Cathy Lynn Pagano
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