Few artists captured the ideals of American Life quite like that of painter Norman Rockwell. From a scene on the baseball field, to one captured at the local diner, Rockwell would paint every day images all Americans would appreciate, from sea to shining sea.
In 1941, our country was coaxed into World War II and President Franklin Roosevelt not only called a nation to arms, but reminded its people of the four basic freedoms necessary to secure our way of life. Rockwell drew from this speech to paint “The Four Freedoms.”
Freedom from Want.
Freedom from Fear.
Freedom of Worship.
Freedom of Speech.
Pieces painted from the perspective of a small, New England town. Rockwell took us to the farthest place from the horrors in the Pacific and European fronts. However, it was the place where blue collar men and women were still impassioned with the ideals of American life. If not for the fact, it is the birthplace of our independence nearly 300 years before.
Today, we’re in the midst of yet another political season. It’s a time of year in which ordinary citizens of this country dread if only for the pains of unsolicited phone calls, visits to the front door and the unneighborly behavior of politicians on radio and television. The talking heads with red and blue neckties chatter away and each year they seem to draw farther and farther away from the issues that plague our lives:
Our freedom from want.
Our freedom from fear.
Our freedom of worship.
Our freedom to speak comes at its strongest now, as we prepare to hit the polls and vote. Last week, we witnessed in Bethlehem, residents stand in a crowded, uncomfortably warm town hall, as they all listened to prospective leaders — town clerks, highway superintendents, board members and supervisors. Everyday citizens prepared their questions, and listened, taking note for Election Day.
The scene played out the same in Colonie just yesterday and we expect to see the same in Guilderland this Thursday.
People ask if Rockwell’s America has died. Well, Thomas Jefferson is credited in stating, “An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.” And, what has been witnessed so far is a people who have taken our Freedom of Speech seriously. Educating themselves on the issues and on the people who choose to run for office and be the drive of change.
If you find yourself still asking whether or not Rockwell’s vision of America has died, you obligate yourself to go out and vote. If not to choose the next leader into office, then to rekindle your faith in the community you live in.
