The Wright angle
... from
Cannon Beach
b y E arl L. W right
“An age which is desensitized to evils and
horrors is also desensitized to its glories and
its opportunities. The essential task, then, is
to regenerate the vital responses, to reopen
access to the clarifying functions of con­
science, and to restore the capacity to dream
about a better life. Despite all the billowing
evidence to the contrary, humans are still
capable of good purposes and decent works.
We can still recapture command of our exis­
tence and the forces that are shaping it And
this regeneration requires only self-recog­
nition to become real. “When enough
people ceui com prehend the reality o f the
h u m a n fam ily, the beginnings o f a genuine
safety w ill emerge.” Norman Cousins,
“Human Options.”
I discovered this passage while spending a
much-needed weekend in Cannon Beach,
away from the anxieties and frustrations of
urban existence. For me, true utopia: no
yellow-ugly smog; no frenetic freeways; no
m en’s bars, women’s bars, straight bars, gay
bars, leather bars, cruise bars, Levi’s bars,
juice bars, “in” bars, “out” bars, Izod bars, ad
nauseum, only local drinking establish­
ments; no noise other than the gentle sound
of the Pacific; and most noticeably, no desire
to leave the warm and cozy environment,
except to walk on the beach or to climb the
tide-pool rocks. I am now wondering why I
came back. . .
. . . but back to good/wise Norman. The
words “human family” and “safety" became
data input and caused me to ponder whether
or not we homosexuals, as one of many
minorities, might be a bit myopic in our view
of the human condition. How open are we in
accepting others (even within our own ranks)
as members of the human family whose
ideas and lifestyles conflict withours? From
much of what is published in gay and lesbian
publications one would gather that we would
rather everyone be homosexual, thereby
eliminating any possibilty of confrontation
based on sexuality. “Breeders," for example,
seem to cause feelings for many of being
threatened. This, of course, is absurd. For the
most part we need not fear individuals, but do
need to be involved in changing the system.
Perhaps we should take an in-depth look at
how we perceive the general scheme of hu­
man interaction. The human family is each
and every human being on this planet, all
related by some long-lost genetic link. How
then, can we justify elitism based on our own
prejudices and lifestyle? We can L If we en­
counter something which is not gay or les­
bian oriented, or at least does not even have
some sort of homosexual connotation, do we
give it a second consideration? Usually not
Are straights given the same courtesy as we
give each other when they venture into “our
territory’? I have observed otherwise. To me
this smacks of reverse discrimination.
We must begin at home and strive to elimi­
nate the factions and frictions within our own
ranks which tend to break down the united
front we so desperately need for our own
minority family. Then we must take a second
look at our fears of straight society. Granted,
they appear to be the majority. But are they?
Remember, we are only one of m any minori­
ties which together would be the new m ajor­
ity. Slowly, but determinedly, let’s open up
and become more unconditionally accepting
Just Out. July 6
of each other and then progress to society in
general, until we truly “comprehend the real­
ity of the human family.” Only then will “the
beginnings of a genuine safety emerge.”
* * * * *
Looking for a creative place to lunch? I
recomm end the Oregon School of Arts and
Crafts, 8245 S.W. Barnes Rd. (TriMet Route
77). Excellent homemade food, reasonable
prices, and an opportunity to lunch with the
artists, as well as browse through the gallery
and gift shop. All in a truly beautiful setting —
a feast for the eye as well.
* * * * *
If you missed “Phallacy’s: Facts and Ar­
tifacts of the Phallacian Culture,” a visual in­
stallation for Portland artist David Strough at
Northwest Artists Workshop, you lost o u t It
was a truly wonderful, whimsical (seems to
be his specialty) show, especially the slide
presentation. The show deserves to be pre­
sented again. If so, don’t miss!
♦ * * * *
As this column missed the deadline for the
last issue, I now have the opportunity to tie it
in with the Lesbian and Gay Pride theme of
“Unity and More in '84 — Put Power in
Diversity." From what I understand, the
“unity" involved centers around unifying
gays and lesbians into a united front to assert
our potential strength against the bigotry and
misunderstanding (fear) of a straight white
male dominated society. Whether or not this
has any effect is difficult to assess; however, it
also serves to exaggerate our collective
Achilles heel. That is, how we separate our­
selves from the mainstream and proclaim
that we are “different," and how we set
ourselves up to appear "different” Society’s
fear of us as homosexuals and our own
deeply hidden fear of ourselves centers on
just that fact — our nonconformity to sexual
mores of the so-called majority.
Being only a part of the human family, this
apparent difference (our objects of love and
sexual desire) is merely one aspect of what
we actually are. Therefore, might we at some
future tim e during this journey of self-
discovery and development try to emphasize
our universal humanness rather than our one
and onlv diversity? We love, we hate; we cry,
we laugh; we bond, we unbond; we re young,
we’re old; we live, we die; we work, we play; we
wound, we heal; and on and on. Using these
for comparison, are we really that different?
Perhaps we should really be striving for
Power in the Unity of the Human Family.
b y D ouglas Bloch
CANCER The Crab
June 2 1 -July 2 0
The Sign of the Nurterer
A Personal, Water Cardinal Water Sign
Water Im age — A Nursing Mother
‘‘I Feel”
As the initial water sign. Cancer must
resolve the element’s key psychological con­
flict — security vs. insecurity. “Am I the giving
parent or the needy child? Shall I nurture or
be nurtured?” the Cancer asks itself. In the
form er role, it has no equal. For as the
mother bear staunchly defends her cubs, a
Cancer will instinctively protect and nurture
the weak and the helpless. On the other hand,
the watery crab will often see itself as the one
who needs care. In viewing the world as
threatening and unsupportive, the crab will
either retreat into its shell or become involved
in a dependency relationship. Here, however,
he must deal with even a new and more
crippling insecurity — the fear of rejection.
How then, can the crab constructively cope
with its insecurities? As the ocean crab sur­
rounds its soft, vulnerable interior with a hard
outer shell, the human crab finds shelter
within the confines of his domestic sphere.
The home provides a protective sanctuary
where the Cancer can let down its defenses
and feel safe and secure. Outside the home, it
is cautious and reserved, shy and timid; in­
side its secure place it is tender and caring,
charming and self-assured. When love of
home and family becomes too extreme,
however, the Cancer becomes clannish and
exclusive, as illustrated by the patriot's edict.
"America, love it or leave it." (Our country was
born under Cancer on July 4). Therefore, the
Cancerian must learn to open his home and
heart to a ll human beings.
In its search for security, the Crab will also
look to its past for memories of happier
times. There it often finds and collects gen­
erations of treasured family heirlooms —
great grandfather’s rocking chair,
grandm other’s quilts and mother’s jewelry, to
nam e a few. Because of its tendency to cling
to past experiences, Cancer has a hard time
letting go — of possessions, lovers, and
children, or any personal attachment. Hence,
it is followed by the forward-looking fire sign,
Leo.
Physiologically, the water sign Cancer cor­
responds to the breasts and stomach, organs
of nourishment and sustainment. The link
between the stomach and emotions is quite
clear; when you become upset, you feel it on
a "gut" level. If such emotions are not
properly expressed, stomach ulcers will often
result
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