Americans Who Tell the Truth
A collection of portraits & quotes.
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Christopher M. Theodore
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Thank you for the portraits you painted and for the website. We are grateful to you for allowing us to feature your paintings and the words you chose to represent these Americans in The Reader Magazine, which is sent to 300,000 people in California. It was remarkable to me to see the response of people to this Issue of our magazine. There is a unique power in bringing together and celebrating the words and ideas of Americans who speak with measured language, and speak the truth at a time when it is often avoided. It's clear to me what you have done also is something highly important-- you dear friend have made important the people of dissent, which is a powerful thing to do to bring about change when it is needed, as it is today. I myself studied fine arts and painting and art history before my work in founding The Reader Magazine. Thank you again for your choice to have made these excellent paintings. I have no doubt that your work is playing a significant role in history.
31 October 2008 - California
Editors comments
Thanks for your kind words, Christopher.
What I'm doing would not mean much if people like you did not publish the portraits. It takes all of us. And that's why the press is so important to the health of our democracy. Without dissent we would have none of our freedoms.
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Pamela Jambeck
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I stand arm in arm with these humble heroes. I would have chosen so many of these same bulwarks, and have met some current new ones to use as my inspiration. I'm so glad to see Molly Ivins, Jim Hightower and a local hero, Paul Wellstone in portrait along with so many esteemed others! Thank you for your wonderful contribution to a new society for PEACE. Of course the portraits are stunning,and in addition, your responses to the challenging voices prove you are deserving to be added to the list of those who tell the truth. I'm proud to be a member of this American group!
28 October 2008 - Minnesota
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Jim Begg
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GOODHUMANS.COM *** Or so I've come to refer to your wonderful site, which I discovered while googling Utah Phillips. It has become a common day's end pasttime of mine to absorb a couple of your portraits. Inspiration & hope. Thank you.
How 'bout Charlie Chaplin? Alittle shy on quotes perhaps, but truly
a good human. Keep it up. Cheerio, Jim
4 October 2008 - Truckee, California
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Anthony Shostak
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Sadly, some of these folks don't (or didn't) tell the truth. Noam Chomsky, for example, is well known for inventing data to support his claims about the magnitude of the evil America has wrought on the world. Edward Said? Please, read a little of the criticism of his magnum opus and see if you still think he belongs here.
I can't help but think that the artist is still caught up with his generation's fixation on Vietnam and the anti war movement and that this is inextricably linked to how he defines "truth." While I am old enough to remember Vietnam, my generation's views are not defined by it. Rather they nuanced by the experiences of seeing the Cold War end in our favor and the slow advance of militant islam.
There are many notable omissions to Shetterly's list of the truthful. I'd include Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Dennet, Sam Harris, Ibn Warraq, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali (granted, she is Dutch, but she lives here and is more American in my opinion than some "real" ones). Perhaps they just aren't politically correct enough?
1 October 2008
Editors comments
Dear Anthony,
Thank you for writing.
If Noam Chomsky is well known for inventing data, I am not aware of it. Certainly not as well known, at any rate, as the current administration for inventing reasons for preemptive war. As we look at the world today it would be hard to exaggerate the magnitude --- environmentally, economically, politically --- of the damage that the US is doing.
Every person that I have painted has many detractors, not just Chomsky & Edward Said. That's what happens to people who buck the status quo. And I do not defend everything that many of them did or said. However, I support each one completely for his/her efforts on the side of equality and justice and the ideals of this country.
I don't know where you get the idea that I am fixated on Vietnam. I have painted several people from that era, but most ot the recent portraits are all about contemporary issues. However, past events, like the war in Vietnam, will always remain current because the truth has not been told in our major media or in the textbooks we offer to our children.. When issues are buried without truth or justice, they refuse to go away. Whether you like it or not, the experience of future generations ARE defined by past events --- especially when they are used to create a false myth of our country that is then used to justify other imperialistic actions.
You are right to say that there are many omissions. I am one person painting subjectively. I make no claims to anything but that. And I find several of your suggestions intriguing. Thank you.
sincerely,
Robert
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Yoana Hernandez
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I have to write a biography about Ida B. Wells. Where can I find imformation about her, here in Americans Who Tell the Truth
10 September 2008 - santa maria, california
Editors comments
Dear Yoana,
if you click on and enlarge the portrait of Ida B. Wells, you can scroll down under the portrait & read a biography of her there. I hope that helps.
Best,
Robert |
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Nigel Baldwin
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I'd like to recommend for your talents a Judge from California, the (sadly late) Rose Bird, who consistently ruled against the death penalty. This lady paid the price of telling people what they didn't want to hear, and was rejected at the polls. But her words and deeds will, I'm sure, stand the test of time. For her caption, may I suggest: "...It is easier to be popular than to be just..."
24 August 2008 - Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
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michael federico
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As one who always values an original with a cause, Artis the Spoonman
has provoked more thought and action that many with a larger venue.
His voice and portrait belong up there with Utah and John Prine.
19 August 2008 - Hemet, Ca
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Rose Davis
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Why did I not find Tom Neilson's profile? After all I saw David Rovics'. Tom Neilson's songs are all about the truth, as irreverent as they may be. I admire him for his efforts as a life long peace activist and promoter of peace and justice through his songs and stories. Will you consider profiling him?
30 July 2008 - Nashville Tennessee
Editors comments
Tom Neilson is terrific. My problem is I can't do everyone. Unfortunately, for everyone I paint, hundreds of people are left out. Each one must be a metaphor for the others. |
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Jack
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I find your portraits to be extremely moving to me. They are painted with a passion and with compassion. An artist myself, portraitist as well as urban landscapes, I can only express admiration for your work. That said, I also agree with your choice of subjects. For someone to refer to you as a subversive or a communist is nothing but pure rot. What has always been the strength of this country is the ability of its citizens to openly speak their mind on any subject. I like to think of my self as a moderate when it come to politics, and I have cringed when I read some of the rantings of those who have commented on your selections of subjects. It seems that these "commentors" must only view the world through Fox News, that "fair and balanced" crock of right wing rhetoric. Another possible subject might just be Tim Russert. Keep the vigil!
Jack
30 July 2008 - Houston, Texas
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John H. Tidyman
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What a wonderful book this would make ... if it were part of every high school kid's education ... the study of real people, real suffering, real victories and real joys ... reading the bios is at once both inspiring and shame-inducing. Maybe our secret sin, the one we ignore or deny, is that tellers of truth are rare enough to warrant inclusion in American Who Tell the Truth.
18 July 2008 - Lakewood, Ohio
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