Thursday, November 26, 2009
Scales of ...
Metapolitics
Artist | Francisco Goya |
---|---|
Year | circa 1819–1823 |
Type | Oil mural transferred to canvas |
Dimensions | 143 cm × 81 cm (56¼ in × 31⅞ in) |
Location | Museo del Prado, Madrid |
"Saturn Devouring His Son is the name given to a painting by Spanish artist Francisco Goya. It depicts the Greek myth ofCronus (in the title Romanised to Saturn), who, fearing that his children would overthrow him, ate each one upon their birth. It is one of the series of Black Paintings that Goya painted directly onto the walls of his house sometime between 1819 and 1823."
This picture always reminds me of the good people who start out in tribal politics/organizations- wanting to do god things- often accomplishing good things... only to fall victim to their own lust for power. Power can be utilized to enact positive change, for certain, but it can also poison people negating their own good intentions. No good comes from going after people also trying to do good, even if they disagree with you.
So why is it ???
"The Cultural Defense of Hooty Croy On the night of July 17, 1978 dozens of police officers engaged in a gun battle with five Northern California Indians who had a single .22 rifle. More than a hundred shots were fired. Three Indians were wounded. A policeman was killed.
After spending eight years on Death Row for first degree murder Patrick “Hooty” Croy, an Indian of Shasta-Karok descent was granted a retrial. His new defense team, headed by J. Tony Serra, argued Croy acted in self-defense and gave supporting evidence of the genocide against California Indians that has continued since the 1850’s. This strategy, known as a cultural defense, was used to explain why Croy feared for his life when he returned fire."