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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Ticket availability ... RVTD's Saturday bus service resumes this Saturday ... Ticket availability ... Ticket availability ... RVTD's Saturday bus service resumes this Saturday ... Ticket availability ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Art critics represent a small minority Comment By Arnold Bleicher DailyTidings.com By Arnold Bleicher Posted Jun. 21, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Arnold Bleicher Posted Jun. 21, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Opinions are like bellybuttons: everybody has one. But when people begin to present their opinions as gospel, claim to own the truth, and make assertions that they speak for the “vast majority” of Ashlanders, they cross a line. A very vocal, but small minority, claim to represent the entire population of Ashland by citing “several hundred” responses on a Facebook page. Really? Several hundred? Let’s say that number is 500. My calculator shows that percentage to be around 2.5 percent, or 1/40th of the population of this city. But this small percentage pretends to speak for all of us. I am stunned at the mendacity of some of these people. They have taken it upon themselves to attack the Seattle artist whose proposals are under consideration by the City Council for the Gateway art installation. The poor artist has received emails that are mean-spirited, hostile and vitriolic. These few people claim to represent “the vast majority” of Ashland. Where do they get the gall to purport to speak for the entire population of this city and demand she withdraw her proposals? These vocal few ignore facts. The PAC did ask for proposals from local artists. Local artists did apply. Their applications were considered. But none of them (and ask them yourselves) had the credentials and proven track record to warrant consideration for such a large project. Clearly the haters have not thought through the implications of their demands that only local artists be used. Are they proposing that no Ashland artist should be allowed to sell their work outside of Ashland? Are they suggesting that only local actors be cast in plays at OSF? When I moved to Ashland 35 years ago, it was a different place. People were not judged by what they wore or what they drove. We had differences of opinions but there was a shared respect for one another. We were fellow Ashlanders. While the national scene has turned into a bile-infested parade of bullying and untruths, does it mean that we must also go that direction? If you choose to do that, please don't claim to represent me or other locals. For those who don't like the proposed art installations, fine. You don't like them. It’s abstract art. I can explain it to you but I can’t understand it for you. That you prefer to see a representational piece doesn't mean all of us think that way. And if what you see in the abstract pieces is so offensive that you can’t cite it in a newspaper, there may be some latent, unresolved issues that need attention. Who is to blame for this fringe element who believe they speak for all of us? We are. We, the silent majority, who don't want to get involved, who don't want to risk being publicly attacked, who don’t want to take the time to have our voices heard, who are complacent and allow this deplorable behavior to go unchallenged. If we are silent long enough, someone will decide our silence means we are of their ilk. And yes, I am married to a member of the PAC. I am not writing to defend her or the PAC. I am writing to express my outrage at those who, with their invective rhetoric, claim to represent me. Arnold Bleicher lives in Ashland. By Arnold Bleicher DailyTidings.com By Arnold Bleicher Posted Jun. 21, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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