‘Black Live Matter’ not a political statement
I typed up a really long editorial response to Mr. Howard Traul, but I deleted it and started over, because I think it’s tremendously silly to waste newspaper ink in the back and forth of white people arguing about their feelings. For once, this shouldn’t be about us.
I think it’s time for us white people to stop talking and listen. One of the best places to listen is at the Holland Theatre.
The Holland has supported Black performers, Black artists, and Black crew members throughout the years. It has sung Black songs. It has told Black stories. I was dancing in the front row of the CeeLo Green concert last year and had one of the best nights of my life.
The Holland Theatre is a place for ALL people. It’s a place for us to learn, to listen, to experience, to grow. I find it very problematic that it’s seemingly okay to let Black people sing and dance for our entertainment, but when it comes time to declare that we believe their lives matter – that’s where our throats swell shut.
Black Lives Matter, Howard.
This is not a political statement. To say that Black lives matter should not be something that is difficult to admit. The Holland Theatre’s marquee did not say a word about defunding the police or abolishing the police (which is a ridiculous thing to extrapolate). And- not that I should have to even say this – but I also support the police, in Bellefontaine and beyond. I worked for the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office for years. I am the daughter of a cop.
But you know what else I am? A human being who refuses to allow racism to exist unchecked in my new hometown. It is a new day in Bellefontaine. I will not stand idly by and allow threats of pulled sponsorship money to bully anyone into silence.
To replace any loss of sponsorship money that the Holland Theatre may experience as a result of standing up for basic human rights, I am establishing a Holland Theatre Community Sponsorship Fund at The Fun Company. I am depositing the first thousand dollars. Anyone that wishes to contribute to this grassroots campaign may do so in person at The Fun Company, or on our website at btownfun.com/Holland. One dollar or one hundred – every penny is welcome and will be passed forward with love. I will tally all contributions and write one check on behalf of all of us to the Holland Theatre at the end of July.
Hate is no longer welcome in Bellefontaine. If money talks, we’ll talk louder.
Love wins. Black Lives Matter.
Mandy Osterfeld
Bellefontaine, Ohio
Withholding donations a matter of white privilege
Black lives do matter, and I respect the Holland Theatre Board of Directors and Chris Westoff for their choice to display Black Lives Matter on the theatre’s marquee. This is not a political statement, but a basic humanitarian tenet. If anything, it should bring people together in our community as the peaceful Solidarity March did. What a shame that this would cause someone to take it personally, make it political and go so far as to remove their support for the Holland. It makes me think that white privilege is rearing its ugly head.
Dena Early
Bellefontaine
Response to ‘Keep Holland Theatre out of politics’
The author of this complaint that the Holland is political because it posted Black Lives Matter on their marquee, rightly said that the phrase means many different things to many different people. It means eliminating voter suppression, providing equally funded educational opportunities to mostly black neighborhoods, eliminating racial targeting in all facets of our society.
The only issue the author brings up however is the defunding of police. This conversation is focused on shifting funds to social clinicians in response to homelessness, drug overdoses, and mental health crises. The goal is to reduce the number of crises before they happen and to create an infrastructure that allows these clinicians to respond to these crises rather than armed police. For instance, when a middle-class family discovers their child has a drug addiction, they do not want the police involved. They have resources to help their child with high-quality drug treatment or mental health counseling.
We all say we want black men to care for their families, but when there are no resources to help them when they face these same types of crises, but an army of police on every corner of their neighborhoods to put them in prison, rather than help them find treatment, quality jobs and child care, then the funding is lopsided. Maybe some in the BLM movement are calling for complete police defunding, but most just want services that equal the playing field.
I support The Holland wanting to speak to all people of our community that black lives matter and their issues deserve to be heard. When we attempt to stoke the fear of extremes, we discredit the truths behind the movement.
Kristine MacGillivray Shannon
Bellefontaine
The Holland Theatre has already been saved
You might not know me as I moved away from my hometown of Bellefontaine in 2015 after earning my Master of Music Degree in Voice Performance and Opera from the Cleveland Institute of Music, but my name is Miriam Stoner. I am a singer/actress living in New York City where I have appeared as Papagena in The Magic Flute at OPERA AMERICA and Mama Judy in The Goldfish from Pluto on Broadway.
I grew up a short walk from the Holland where I watched my first movie, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Then, the theater was dilapidated. It was totally falling apart. But it was still one of the few places I felt I truly belonged during my childhood. Everyone has a place in the arts. My first and fondest memories were made at the Holland. I performed many times in this most magical place which ultimately inspired me to pursue my dreams of a career in the arts.
I remember Kris Swisher, current President of the Holland Theatre Board, taking her students on field trips to learn about the legacy of the Holland — a national historic landmark which she has worked tirelessly to restore for over 20 years. Life was brought back to our city through cultural immersion.
People from all over the state come to watch shows at the Holland and to contribute to our local economy. Because of the COVID-19 crisis, the arts are in desperate need of your support. The Holland has always relied on its loyal audiences and their donations to thrive and to continue to bring people from all walks of life together.
If you have not seen the theater since its restoration, you are in for a treat. I was slated to perform there for their grand re-opening in August, which has been postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Despite what was to be a meaningful and lucrative event, the difficult decision was made to protect the health of the Holland’s patrons and actors.
When life gets back to normal and the grand re-opening is rescheduled, I hope you will all join me in proudly celebrating the newly restored Holland Theatre which has already been saved by the generosity and efforts of our community.
Miriam Stoner
New York, NY
Black lives have greatly impacted American culture and entertainment
I am writing this letter in response to Howard Traul’s recent letter to the forum regarding the Holland Theatre marquee express support for the Black Lives Matter movement. I would like to thank Mr. Traul for his thorough and poignant words, which have inspired me not only to write this editorial, but also make a contribution to the Holland Theatre. Mr. Traul has helped me realize that many of us have relied on the more wealthy members of our community to provide the financial support needed to keep our wonderful community theater going. Unfortunately, my contribution will not be as great as what some of the more affluent members of the community can afford; however, I will make my contribution without the expectation that I am then entitled to influence the theaters choice of entertainment or messages on the marquee. Humbly, I would like to recommend and would love to attend shows that represent the multicultural diversity such as a tribute to the Mills Brothers, or readings from the works of James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, or Maya Angelou. Black lives have woven priceless music, art and literature in the tapestry of American culture. Black lives have made economic and social contributions that we all depend on and benefit from. Black lives matter greatly and must be recognized, represented and respected. Thank you to Chris Westhoff and the Holland Theater for supporting this historic time and a movement whose goal is to achieve the overdue, equal treatment of all people, regardless of racial or economic power. Once again, I appreciate Mr. Traul’s letter. I hope that it inspires others to support Mr. Westhoff and the Holland Theatre.
Shelly Lane
Bellefontaine