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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 23, 2018)
The Shedd Institute www.theshedd.org - 541.434.7000 Amy Adams, director Th e Shedd Choral Society Felix Mendelssohn: Sechs Lieder Tuesday, August 28 - 7:30 pm free Friday Aug 31 rance is bliss” and living happily with no news exposure. K. Johansson Eugene SPEAK UP Goodbye to a legend, a powerful pro- moter of democracy: Art Pearl (EW, July 26). Carrying on with his inspiration, we can work together to make a difference. Democracy requires our voices. Speak up when the House wants to increase hun- ger in our country by cutting SNAP in the Farm Bill. Speak up to have Congress pass the Reach Every Mother and Child Act to end preventable deaths in our world. Speak up. You can make a difference! Willie Dickerson Snohomish, Wash. PROTECTING WILDLANDS As a supporter of Oregon’s waters, wildlands and wildlife, I was very pleased to see Rep. Peter DeFazio’s recent legisla- tive proposal to protect the Devil’s Stair- case Wilderness area and segments of the Chetco River under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, celebrating its 50th anniver- sary this year. A fraction of the old growth forests that once covered the Coast Range still exists today, putting many wildlife species that depend on these areas in an unstable posi- tion. Devil’s Staircase offers ideal habitat for threatened species such as the marbled murrelet, Humboldt marten and northern spotted owl. The Chetco River supplies drinking water to the community and sup- ports the salmon, steelhead and trout runs that heavily contribute to the local econo- my. With that being said, there are many more rivers and wildlands with historic and economic importance that deserve the same protections. In the Rogue River watershed west of Grants Pass, there are roughly 58,000 acres of wildlands and 93 miles of wild streams that remain unprotected. While DeFazio previously proposed protection for this area starting in 2009, it was not included in his latest proposal. As Oregonians, let’s stand together and encourage our elected officials to in- troduce permanent protection for more of these unique and invaluable areas for today and future generations! Emma Land Eugene DO THE RIGHT THING Anecdotal information, including re- ports from the director Spike Lee, has spoken of profound effects on some white moviegoers who have just watched his latest movie, BlacKkKlansman. These in- cidents show visible demonstrations of re- spect and compassion toward black theater attendees. Having seen the movie ourselves, we can attest to the potential epiphany it might engender in those who are able to open their hearts to what is transpiring on the big screen. The most powerful visuals honestly depict key moments of despicable white behavior toward blacks in our coun- try, from the earliest days up until the pres- ent. In watching this sordid and primitive white behavior, one can scarcely deny not only do Black Lives Matter but that giving any credence to the innocuous and vacuous phrase “white lives matter” is an affront to the mountain of pain and injustice we have inflicted and continue to inflict upon blacks. The movie’s finale reminds us that we have not left this troubled conduct be- hind. The world is sorely in need of an epiph- any or awakening surrounding what many are coming to realize is our spiritual con- nectedness. We will only succeed in con- fronting and overcoming the multitude of dire problems that we currently face if we work together in love. Many know in their hearts that we share a commonality of united purpose to make this world a place where justice is in full bloom and the spirit of goodwill inspires our every thought and deed. Our united love makes us indivisible. Christopher & Deb Michaels Eugene Davina & The Vagabonds Shedd Theatricals 2018 Sep 14-30 The Shedd Community Music School Music classes & private lessons: 541.434.7015 / registrar@theshedd.net eugeneweekly.com • A ugust 16, 2018 5
