In all the blog heat that I've been reading the last few days, reading about everyone emptying their souls and getting really emotional, I've decided to jump aboard the Crazy Train! I've been inspired, so here goes!
I have to admit that I didn't think I'd have the strength to write this. It's something that I've only let so very few people in on the last few years, and before that (as in the group that I used to hang out with way back when..) I didn't say a word out of fear of complete embarrassment. Normally I wouldn't write about something like this, but I'm seeing everyone else bare all, so why shouldn't I?
I just have one request. I ask that none of you take this out of context, and that this be treated with the respect it deserves. Please help me through it... it's very difficult for me to do this, so bare with me.... ok, *deep breath* *count to 10*... and........
I have a profound love of basket weaving.
GAH..
there it is, I've said it. It's public, and now everyone knows about it. That was actually easier than I thought. I used to have a huge complex about what people thought about it, because I know what people in the past had to go through with such a thing. You know, the weaves not being tight enough, etc.. I'm reminded about a case in the early 90s about a woman who was arrested because her basket had a jagged edge and actually sliced a child's head open after the boy tried to wear it as a hat. It's a lot of responsibility, that basket weaving.. And my endeavors ever since this freakish incident have gone all but unnoticed in the national art shows.. Nowadays, those silly rice paper graphic designers seem to be taking all the glory, while us lowly basket weavers have to watch as they get their blue ribbons.
Am I bitter? no, not really. Ok yes.
I was almost thrown out of residence because my actions with the weaving "kept people up at night." At least, that's what gave me away to the RAs... But if you ask me, I think this goes back to the case of the tremendous head gash suffered by that child. Ever since then, people of my ability just cant seem to find a safe and stable ground. We (ok, I'm talking about me personally. I don't want to make a sweeping generalization here among all of us weavers).. *I* have been looked at funny, ridiculed, and just down right detested because my activities with these baskets are seen as abusive to children.
I just cant comprehend WHY people don't see us as equals. I mean, sure some of us have rough skin on our hands.. Some of us have been poisoned by the noxious weeds of the Cats Claw family.. Should we let that phase us? I don't think so! The world needs to understand that we're every bit as normal as everyone else! It was the media's fault that the fact that that little boy almost lost a head got out into the public, and ever since then they've misconstrued all things "basket weaver-ish" into a negative and almost satanic ritual.
It's a tough world when one cant weave twigs anymore without being snubbed by the uninformed metaphorical hand of society..
Until next time......
*fade to black*
:: Eldorado ::
Tuesday, March 02, 2004 ::
11:18:00 PM
