Oregon Humanities

Craftsmanship

My wife and I have been involved in a construction project for what seems like forever, but in reality, is only about eight months. As it nears completion, but is never quite ready for move in, I am reminded of the statement attributed to French Premier Clemenceau about Brazil: “the country of the future and always to remain so.”

I have appreciated the fine craftsmanship of some workers, and endured the less than stellar performance of others—only out of square by three... Read more

29 September 2009 | Posted by John Frohnmayer in New Ideas | Permalink | Comments? (0 so far)

Music and Democracy

I am no musician. I don’t play an instrument beyond a one-fingered version of “Yankee Doodle Dandy” on the piano and the first few bars of “When the Saints Come Marching In” on my harmonica. I sing enthusiastically but rarely on key.

But I do listen.

I remember quite vividly hearing Wynton Marsalis compare democracy and jazz. I have never listened to music or thought about politics quite the same.

Marsalis says that democracy, like jazz, “works best when... Read more

24 September 2009 | Posted by David Gutterman in Inside O. Hm. New Ideas | Permalink | Comments? (2 so far)

On Betties (Friedan and Draper)

Welcome to Oregon Humanities’ new website! Oregon Humanities has gone through a lot of changes this last year—our programs are more interactive, accessible, and provide deeper context—and we have new name, materials, and website to reflect these changes. But I hope this website does more than this. Adam McIsaac, one of our fabulous web designers from the equally fabulous Pinch, tells me that the website should be more than a virtual pamphlet. He says it’s meant to be a... Read more

17 September 2009 | Posted by Cara Ungar-Gutierrez in Inside O. Hm. New Ideas | Permalink | Comments? (7 so far)