![\"political](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG-5609.jpg?resize=212%2C285&ssl=1\")
Recently, I attended the magnificent San Miguel de Allende\u2019s Writers\u2019\nConference and heard fiction author and poet Jennifer Clement\u2019s keynote speech.\nShe\u2019s also the president of PEN (Poets, Essayists and Novelists in support of journalists\naround the globe). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She read excerpts from her novel, Gun Love<\/a><\/strong><\/em>,<\/strong> which speaks to the issue of guns from the USA flooding Mexico. She discovered through her research that 2,000 guns cross the border every day and there are over 8,000 gun shops on the American side of the border. Mexico only has one gun shop in the whole country with strict rules about buying and that\u2019s in Mexico city. 48% of America\u2019s gun business has to do with buyers south of the American border. That business feeds the drug cartel and gang violence\u2014the reason many families are fleeing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hearing Jennifer Clement read from her novel produced more than a few gasps in her audience. They recognised the sad truth woven into it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To research gun love for her novel, she visited the NRA Museum in Virginia. She said it resembles a church with chapels: one for the presidents\u2019 guns, another for Hollywood guns like John Wayne’s, guns for hunting game, and so on. It even has a 1950s boy\u2019s bedroom with gun motifs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n She reminded us that the indigenous people world-wide had no chance against the gun, whether they were the North American Indian or the Zulu warrior. It wasn\u2019t a fair fight. Not when all they had were spears and bows and arrows. She touches on that history in Gun Love. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Jennifer Clement also read from her novel, Prayers for the Stolen<\/a><\/strong>.<\/em> It’s a story of a different crime. There are men in SUVs that roam the countryside in Mexico looking to abduct young girls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n She said that when a chapter from this novel was published in a major Mexican newspaper, she had to leave the country for two months. It was not safe for her to be in Mexico. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At the end of her speech, someone said, \u201cYou are so brave.\u201d She replied, \u201cI\u2019m more indignant than brave.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n And then there\u2019s the visual artist who pulls no punches. Robert and I were fortunate to come across such an artist during the recent My Studio art walk in San Miguel de Allende. Debra Thompson<\/a><\/strong> creates art that is hard to sell because of her politics but her work speaks volumes. She presents work that comments on both social and political issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is one ceramic piece\u2014an unflattering one of Trump, called Put a Cork In It<\/strong>. Beside it the words\u2014Regardless of where on political spectrum you may fall: divisive, uninformed and hateful language is not appropriate in any discourse. In particular, not from our leaders. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Her website<\/strong><\/a> shows works tackling difficult subjects like legal drug trafficking, banks taking advantage of those who can ill afford loans for housing, guns and the NRA, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Theatre is another avenue to express political views. Last week in San Miguel, my husband Robert and I went to a play reading of Taking Sides,<\/strong><\/a> a play by Ronald Harwood set in post-war Berlin. It was brilliantly directed by Fredric Dannen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Taking Sides is about a famous Berlin symphony conductor during WWII in Germany. Though he saved a lot of Jewish lives, he was favoured by the Nazis, especially Hitler, who had him play for his birthday. After the war, he wanted to come to the USA but was prevented from doing so because Leonard Bernstein, Isaac Stern and other influential Jewish musicians protested. They felt he should’ve left Germany when he realised what the Nazis were doing. In the play, he\u2019s interrogated by an American officer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Both sides of the question\u2014should he have stayed or not\u2014were presented skilfully by the talented actors. With Antisemitism on the rise, it\u2019s a discussion worth having. <\/p>\n\n\n\n over the years, musicians have not shied away from politics in their songs. The political music of the 1960s and 1970s, emphasizing peace and love, helped to mobilize many protests during the Vietnam war years. This past year,Barbra Streisand made a political statement with her new album, WALLS<\/strong><\/a>, a reaction to Trump’s obsession to build a wall between the USA and Mexico. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This year’s Oscar contenders for best film tackled gay rights, racism, a housekeeper’s low status, and Washington politics during the Cheney era. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For the past four years, our grandson, Michael Stevantoni,<\/a><\/strong> has been studying in the USA and was influenced by what he saw. In response, he directed, co-wrote and co-produced a wonderful film, DESERT SHORES<\/a><\/strong>, shot at Salton Sea, about a regular joe and the failure of his American dream. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It won Best USA Feature at Chicago’s Blow-Up Arthouse Film Festival in November and Best USA Feature at the Nacogdoches Film Festival in Texas in February of this year. It also earned a nomination at the Milan Film Festival in Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n My novels are meant to entertain, but being someone who cares deeply about how we get along on this beautiful planet, I can’t help but insert some social commentary into my prose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In my first novel, A Cry From The Deep<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, I touched on environmental issues. In my second, The Rubber Fence<\/em><\/strong><\/a>: mental health. And in my latest, Sunflowers Under Fire<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, (publishing date, May 7, 2019) I show the impact of war on those involved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Artists in every medium produce what matters to them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I’d love your thoughts on any of the above. <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With so many attacks on the news media today, political art and fiction can do what news can’t. Both can turn news on its head, shake up disbelievers, and open… <\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4059,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4,14,744,88],"tags":[609,1032,1038,78,1037,1026,104,1036,1039,1034,1035,1021,1033,812,5],"class_list":["post-4056","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-writing","category-art","category-books","category-life","tag-a-cry-from-the-deep","tag-debra-thompson","tag-desert-shores","tag-diana-stevan","tag-gun-love","tag-jennifer-clement","tag-michael-stevantoni","tag-nra-museum","tag-political-art","tag-political-artist","tag-political-fiction-writer","tag-sunflowers-under-fire","tag-taking-sides","tag-the-rubber-fence","tag-writing-2"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG-5692.jpg?fit=1055%2C1600&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1LuVB-13q","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3860,"url":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/2019\/writing\/writing-thoughts-and-plans-for-2019\/","url_meta":{"origin":4056,"position":0},"title":"Writing Thoughts and Plans for 2019","author":"Diana Stevan","date":"12 \u0421\u0456\u0447\u043d\u044f, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Before I get into my writing thoughts and plans for 2019, I wish you, my readers and fellow writers, a wonderful year. I hope you and your families are blessed with joy and good health. Heliobore in our garden Jan. 2019 I received a promising sign for the new year.\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0423 "Writing"","block_context":{"text":"Writing","link":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/category\/writing\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"writing thoughts and plans","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_bce7.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_bce7.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_bce7.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_bce7.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5262,"url":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/2021\/writing\/the-subjective-nature-of-art\/","url_meta":{"origin":4056,"position":1},"title":"The Subjective Nature of Art","author":"Diana Stevan","date":"14 \u041b\u044e\u0442\u043e\u0433\u043e, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"A recent film and a novel made me reflect on the subjective nature of art. They raised lots of questions, especially after I read the critical reviews. Malcolm & Marie Art is so subjective. Take the feature film Malcolm & Marie on Netflix that reminded my husband and me of\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0423 "Art"","block_context":{"text":"Art","link":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/category\/art\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"the subjective nature of art","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Coles-Books-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1192,"url":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/2012\/writing\/ramblings-on-the-lowly-writer\/","url_meta":{"origin":4056,"position":2},"title":"Ramblings on The Lowly Writer","author":"Diana Stevan","date":"11 \u0413\u0440\u0443\u0434\u043d\u044f, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"As I navigate the waters of pitching, writing, editing, revising, and marketing, I wonder about this profession of writing.\u00a0 As a writer, I am\u00a0 expected to work for hours, days, months, years developing my craft, and honing that story, all at my own cost of time and energy. Since I'm\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0423 "Writing"","block_context":{"text":"Writing","link":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/category\/writing\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/250px-Francisco_de_Goya_y_Lucientes_-_Gaspar_Melchor_de_Jovellanos.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1889,"url":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/2015\/writing\/the-hard-truth-in-fiction\/","url_meta":{"origin":4056,"position":3},"title":"The Hard Truth In Fiction","author":"Diana Stevan","date":"6 \u041b\u044e\u0442\u043e\u0433\u043e, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"When I read a novel, I want to escape and get into someone else\u2019s world for awhile. I want my imagination to run wild. I want to cheer for the protagonist when she fights for what she believes; I want to fear for her life when she\u2019s in jeopardy; and\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0423 "Writing"","block_context":{"text":"Writing","link":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/category\/writing\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"My Sister's Keeper","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/my-sisters-keeper-lg.jpg?fit=430%2C670&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1405,"url":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/2013\/writing\/the-art-in-good-writing\/","url_meta":{"origin":4056,"position":4},"title":"The Art in Good Writing","author":"Diana Stevan","date":"4 \u0427\u0435\u0440\u0432\u043d\u044f, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Who\u2019d have thought I\u2019d learn what it takes to write well at a Painters' Weekend?\u00a0 It\u2019s one attended by many of the best artists in British Columbia. They come annually to Painters Lodge in Campbell River to demonstrate their technique, show slide presentations and participate in panel discussions. What I\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0423 "Art"","block_context":{"text":"Art","link":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/category\/art\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Painters' Lodge, Campbell River","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/P1030254-300x225.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4258,"url":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/2019\/writing\/soft-launch-of-sunflowers-under-fire\/","url_meta":{"origin":4056,"position":5},"title":"Soft Launch of Sunflowers Under Fire","author":"Diana Stevan","date":"13 \u041a\u0432\u0456\u0442\u043d\u044f, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"I never planned a soft launch for my latest novel, Sunflowers Under Fire, a historical fiction. But my newest baby, which I've nurtured for so long, is now out in the world. I had hoped for a bigger splash. Rave reviews right from the get-go. But that meant that I\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0423 "Books"","block_context":{"text":"Books","link":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/category\/books\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"historical fiction","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/sunflower-front-ebook-small-size-2.png?fit=488%2C713&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4056","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4056"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4056\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4059"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4056"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dianastevan.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Gun Love<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"political](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/gun-love.jpg?resize=218%2C218&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nPrayers for the Stolen<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"political](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Prayers-for-the-Stolen.jpg?resize=218%2C218&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe Artist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"political](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG-5692.jpg?resize=272%2C412&ssl=1\")
The Playwright<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"political](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Nazi.jpg?resize=352%2C198&ssl=1\")
Wilhelm Furtw\u00e4ngler, Conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Symphony during WWII<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe Musician<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Filmmaker<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"political](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dianastevan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/desert-shores2.jpg?resize=182%2C276&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nMy Writing Journey<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Thoughts? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n