Mary Engelbreit, whose very "cute" studio is located in the CWE, says she was shocked at the response she received after posting a drawing, above, on Facebook. About 700 people "unFriended" her, and Facebook removed the poster in reaction to requests saying it was offensive. On the "breit" side, 10,000 people became "Friends." Facebook has since apologized and put the poster back on, and promised it won't happen again. As Mary said in an email: "This was offensive?….when a photograph of a reporter's beheading was allowed to remain on Facebook?"
In an interview with Diana Reese who writes a blog for The Washington Post website, Mary explained that seeing Michael Brown's anguished mother touched a nerve (read it here) and "So she did what she does when she’s upset to process events and emotions: She draws." Mary was "hoping the drawing 'could help in some small way' and perhaps lead to a dialog about race relations."
An 11 x 14 print of "In the USA" is being sold on ME Store's website. T-shirts will be available soon. All proceeds will be donated to the Michael Brown Jr. Memorial Fund, which is coordinated by Straub’s, where Michael Brown’s mother works.
Mary concluded her email with these words, "What a world…what a world."
P. S. – To hear Mary's touching interview with Steve Potter on Cityscape (NPR's St. Louis Public Radio) click here.
Marion speaks some strong truths. It take intelligence to be kind – even when it’s hard – and strength to forgive and accept. I am particularly troubled at how rare those traits seem to be in my generation in St. Louis. Whatever you think happened or agree with, people are hurting, are without, need compassion. As Ben Franklin said, and I paraphrase: ” nothing will change until those who are unaffected begin to care about those who are.”
Nicki,
The “unfriending” event shows that kindness is not universally understood. The reaction to Mary’s poster on Facebook is evidence of unhappy and troubled people lacking empathy, and who also use FB, a problem in our increasingly varied and economically-stressed society. On the other hand, those new friends, outnumbering the old ones, were able to identify with the spirit in Mary’s creation, and affirmed their support of her effort. We all won.