You Say You Want A Rudylution

New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and several Catholic groups are outraged about the photography exhibit featuring the work of Renee Cox which opened on February 16th at the Brooklyn Museum Of Art. Renee's visual concept work, "Yo Mama's Last Supper" depicts a young woman of african heritage standing nude in place of Jesus in a scene depicting the famous last supper images made famous by the painting of Leonardo DaVinci.

Mayor Rudy labeled the work as being "disgusting" and "outrageous" and then proceeded to voice his thoughts on what he views as the acceptance of anti-catholicism within New York City as well as society in general. Mayor Rudy has launched a campaign to raise what he labels as "decency standards" for any government subsidized work.

Meanwhile, 94 other artists are also exhibiting their perceptions in a show celebrating the work of contemporary black photographers. Constitutional implications have arisen, bringing to light several issues, including the people's rights to free expression and the right to freedom of belief for everyone.

in deep resemblance to dark moments of American history when books and musical recordings were, burned, destroyed and eliminated, attempts have been made to close the exhibit, which would basically take away any choice the public may have had in regards to whether they viewed it or not. Mayor Rudy and friends are by all rights entitled to their opinions, and have every right to voice their diapproval. But would it be a wise idea to allow anyone to eliminate whatever does not meet their approval? Adolf Hitler appeared to be attempting to eliminate the Jews beacuse he did not approve of them.

Would it be a good idea to close exhibits of expression because the work did not meet the approval of people in position of influence? Where would it end? What other areas of life will be next to meet elimination? Have many americans lost sight of the principles of American philosophy, ideas based on freedom, liberty and the rights of the people? Mayor Rudy has the right to freely express his opinion, but just because he's the mayor of New York City does not give him the power to take away the rights of any american citizens in regards to the freedom to express their own beliefs or make their own choices and decisions.

Those who are offended by the representation of Jesus as a feminine, african nude, are most likely bothered by this concept because it does not match their own ideas of what Jesus represents to themselves. Several questions manifest within my mind in regards to this situation.

"How would Jesus judge the work of artists like Renee Cox?"

"If God truly does have power over all things, is it possible that God allowed these visual images to be expressed?"

"let he who is without sin close the first exhibit".

Many people will have many different and separate ideas about what they see in this work. i see a bird getting ready to fly. Others will see whatever they see.

The First Amendment in The Bill Of Rights entitles every American the right to free expression. If we believe in the validity of American Philosophy, and subscribe to the ideals of freedom, liberty and the rights of the people, then respectable Americans like Mayor Rudy may do better to change the world without taking away anyone's rights as Americans or Children Of God.

"you say you want a Rudylution..."

"you say you want to change the constitution, well we all want to change your head..."

"you tell me it's the institution, well you better free your mind instead...""

Perhaps people like Mayor Rudy need to deal with the fact that there will always be other people in the world who will express ideas that do no meet their approval. Disapproval is NOT a license to eliminate. No more Holocausts, please.

where do the mysterious ways cease to exist and human comprehension begin?

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