My Bead Journal Project for April concerns a topic not everyone wants to discuss. Please stick with me on this one, and feel free to post your comments, even if you disagree with my thoughts on the subject.
If you've been following my BJP pieces this year, you know I've been greatly concerned for the future of the world and the children who are yet to be born.
Countdown, a book by Alan Weisman (a well-researched, yet readable, book about the recent history of the growing human population in all areas of the world, and the effects this growth is having on us and on our habitat) greatly influenced my piece for April. Although I began working on it before getting the book, you can see the like-mindedness between my divided piece (in progress) and the art on the cover of the book (which I think is fabulous).
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| Message to Elders of the World (in progress) |
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| Cover Art by San Chung for the Book, Countdown, by Alan Weisman |
Watching environmental documentary films on many topics over the past few years, a foreboding sense of the damage our ever increasing growth and demands place on the earth has brought me to a
voluntary, world-wide, one child point of view, as the only thing the citizens of the world can do to save it. I call it
1+1=1, and it is the theme of my BJP pieces this year.
For April's BJP, I direct my hopes toward the elders, the grey and white haired folks, like myself.
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| Message to Elders of the World |
Above is the finished piece. And here is a poem I wrote while beading on it and the message I hope it conveys to others who are grey now, like me:
I Am Grey Now
I am grey now
–
no longer so
self-absorbed
as in the
greener phase of my life,
looking
beyond my pile of beads,
considering
the colors of the whole world,
wondering how
long before
there are no
more red or green apples,
how long
before the abundant waters
under the
earth's crust are gone,
how long
before order turns to chaos,
and most of
all wondering what I can do,
in my grey
years, to help.
Robin Atkins
Message to Elders of the World
For the sake
of your grandchildren and great grandchildren,
wake up to
the possibility of massive hunger and thirst,
the depletion of resources and environmental destruction
caused by the
demands of an ever increasing human population.
We, the
elders, must help our granddaughters and grandnieces
to understand
it is on their shoulders to save the world,
with only one
way to do it: world-wide, voluntary, one child.
No government
can make this happen. Only they can do it.
Robin Atkins
If you are like me, worried about the world, concerned for the future of all the babies being born every second, and especially for our own children, it follows that we must take on the responsibility of coaching them in stewardship, which includes green living as well as voluntary one-child. My other three bead embroideries on this theme are:
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| Message to Young Brides of the World |
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| Message to Women of the World |
My available tools of change are art and words. Thus, I am making these bead embroidery pieces (2.5 x 3.5 inches each), which can be displayed on small easels, and writing poems for whoever will see or read them, in the hopes of helping others to envision and question the future, to ask what they can do for the world.
Thank you for staying with me to the end of this post, and for considering the questions it raises.
Posts
This makes me sad. :-( I come online to play and be happy.
ReplyDeleteUsually that's what I do too. Thanks for sticking with it and for commenting. I promise a happy post next time.
Delete:-D Yay!
DeleteArtists have used their art to convey a message ever since the first Homo sapiens painted onto cave walls. Often art brings home a message in a way that no words can. I always find your art beautiful, Robin, and your messages important.
ReplyDeleteI think there are other things that we need to do urgently in order to save this beautiful, possibly unique, planet (personally I think we need to find sustainable sources of energy instead of relying on oil, gas and coal) but I think your voluntary one-child would go a long way to redressing the balance.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your beautiful beading.
Yes, I agree with you... there are many ways we can help and restore our world, which needs us desperately. I don't know about your situation, but for me, I have only three resources: 1. my personal lifestyle choices, 2. my art, and 3. my words. Once I got over being frustrated that I have no money or science to throw at it, and started thinking how I might use my words and art, it became easier to sleep at night. At least I can do something!
DeleteI love your art action, beautiful and moving.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bobbi! It really helps to be encouraged! Hugs, R
DeleteThis is a wonderful idea..one that I have agreed with for many years. Back in the day it was called Zero Population Growth, and in my twenties, I took it seriously enough to decide to remain childless..drastic for some, but the ultimate environmental act on my part, as far as I'm concerned..
ReplyDeleteAnyone viewing this post is probably involved in the arts in some way, and we can all do our part through creativity of the non-child-bearing sort.
Yes, Zero Population Growth, influenced me too. I'm so happy to hear you say "we can all do our part through creativity of the non-child bearing sort." Yay! If you're on FB, take a look at a group I started called "1+1=1." I'd love it if you would join.
DeleteIt makes me so happy to know that I'm not the only one! Environmental concerns are just one reason why my husband and I will not be having children, and why I chose surgical sterilization 5 years ago. Now I devote my life to creativity of the non-childbearing sort.
DeleteI think that we are all aware that the world certainly needs saving and we all must do our part in getting there.....I have always admired your work and the messages in it, BUT the one child thing, I don"t think any child wants to grow up alone and no parent wants to think that when they leave this world that their one child is alone. Trust me I mean this in the nicest possible way. Debbie (Maine) camomoxie@yahoo.com.au
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debbie. Of course you are right, one child goes against long-standing cultural and human instincts, and thus becomes a sacrifice. I'd like to invite you to read "Countdown" by Alan Weisman. It's not a gloom and doom book, nor is it difficult to read. After you read it, I welcome a discussion with you, very much so.
DeleteI completely agree with you, Robin. The Earth can only sustain a finite number of people, and our human proliferation is reaching dangerous levels. I would like to respond to Debbie's point about children growing up alone. First, I'm not sure I agree that no child wants to grow up as an only child. My mother, my father, and my nephew were all only children, and they were all happy with the situation. But beyond that, children don't need siblings in order not to be alone. They have friends.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tina. I agree with you. We adjust. That's human nature. We adjust to what we have, whether it's an early demise of our parents or being an only child. I would like to study Chinese families. Obviously, "one child" was forced on them, but what happened during those policy decades to the family structure? Did larger family groupings emerge, with cousins playing a greater role? I'm sure there have been sociological studies... on my list to find and read.
DeleteI love the idea of this. Your art portrays your thoughts in a beautiful way.
ReplyDeleteI too would like to address the person who thinks a child should not grow up as an only child. I chose to have only ONE child and she is very well adjusted and I think she benefited greatly as an only child. We were able to focus on her needs (emotionally, intellectually and financially) which has made her a very independent, well-adjusted young woman who is in her second year of veterinary medical school. I couldn't be prouder and I have never once regretted having 'just one'. My daughter has stated that IF she ever decides to have children she thinks that she will only have one-but that is a long way off! And I'm VERY OK with that also.
Thanks, Cathy. Your description of your daughter reminds me of my niece, who is also an only child. Glad to hear it's working so well for both of them. I understand that for some children and parents it would be a hardship to be an only child, just as for others it's a hardship to be one of several in a larger family. I'm not here to say it will be an easy commitment.
DeleteI'd like to chime in here and say that as an only child (technically, from my father's much later second marriage) I wasn't lonely at all. I was actually very happy with the situation, since I was an introvert. I think the argument that one child will be lonely holds as much water as the argument that homeschooling will make kids socially awkward. Maybe it can, but it sure doesn't have to -- there are so many ways to socialize and meet other kids! Or other people of all ages, for that matter.
DeleteCathy, your daughter sounds awesome. <3
Considering you don't have any children or grand-children yourself, Robin, and that you have past the age of having any, this theme is rather strange.
ReplyDeleteWhy not focus on what you can do personnally to stop over-consuming ?
Yes, that's just it, Anon... I AM focusing on what I can do personally to stop over-consuming. Less humans = less over-consuming. Less over-consuming = a sustainable world for all the children in today's and tomorrow's world. I love children; and it breaks my heart to see or read about increasing starvation and malnutrition. How can that be rather strange?
DeleteDear Robin, if you encouraged people to have showers instead of baths, something you could do yourself, it would sound less strange to me. I don't want to upset you because I like you very much, but really this theme is very upsetting to me and I think it is typical hypocritical american stuff. A few years ago I read serious articles about the way American scholars in particular consistently over evaluate population growth in "third world" countries. Then if you document yourself on carbon footprint, you will see that one American or European citizen consumes much more than one citizen from Asia or Africa. So is it not your (our) western comfort you want to preserve ?
DeleteMore cynically, when big firms like Monsanto, backed by your government, are pushing pesticides and GMO seeds down people's throat, when it is now proved that agro-ecology techniques are more effective to feed people in "third world" countries, when these same firms are trying to prevent peasants to use local seed varieties, can you still seriously say the problem is people having babies ?
One country of course has notably enforced the one child theory, it is the People's Republic of China. Whilst you are working on this theme would you consider reading "Message from an Unknown Chinese Mother" by Xinran ? Because, Robin, in China, the one child policy has resulted in a skewed gender ratio, with baby girls being aborted or killed after shortly birth... Same thing is happening all over Asia.
Sorry, Robin, I dont mean to be offensive and as I said, I really like you, but I dont agree with this 1+1=0 theme.
With love.
Oh ladies I was just stating my own personal opinion about the way I feel about the 1 child thing..I respect every one of the comments whether you agree or not...this is what I feel in my heart. I understand what your saying and I respect it as well..Debbie(Maine) campmoxie@yahoo.com.au
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debbie. Of course you (and all of us) have concerns about the world, and address them as best we can. Our hearts, minds, and life experiences influence how we see the issues and what we do about it. One thing I believe with all my heart is that looking backward, casting blame on ourselves or others for all the things causing the crumbling of our world, doesn't help anything at all. We have to start with what and where we are today.... Ooooh, this thought gives me an idea for my next piece... thank you Debbie!
DeleteI believe that God's plan for our happiness is to come to this world and create families. Raising our five children has made my husband and I better people. Our children have been loved and taught that this life is not the end, but that we will return to a loving God. I believe that God will continue to bless this world as long as we are good stewards. If you think we are all alone, without God, the world is a scary place
ReplyDeleteYes, I certainly agree about being good stewards of the earth!
DeleteWhether a reader agrees or disagrees with you -- ALL adults need to understand and teach all children the impact their day to day and long term decisions have on the Earth. The Earth is really all we have. It is our here and now. It is beautiful, forever, yet so fragile and needs our protection. I love that you are able to share this very personal instinct through your art and your blog. I have been reading and enjoying your work for years. This is a touchy subject. Thank you for your honesty and willingness to put it out there.
ReplyDeleteThanks, m... yes it is a touchy subject, and putting it out there makes me feel a little thin skinned. So I especially appreciate your gracious support.
ReplyDeleteWhether or not you believe that voluntary one child is the bottom line solution, I certainly agree with you about the earth being fragile and about adults needing to teach children (hopefully by their example) how their day to day and long term decisions impact the earth.
I love your beading, your poetry and the fact that your heart works through your hands. I want to thank you for so generously sharing your beading book. I do improvisational beading (everything I do is improvisational or intuitive or, really, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants). I am a SoulCollage facilitator and that collage work is approached in the same way that you discuss in the book. I am looking forward to approaching my next spirit doll beading with this idea of healing. Thank you for making the world a better place.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed that you have made art work and are blogging about what some would consider a controversial subject. Indeed, the planet's resources are finite and they are dwindling. Those folks who are secure in their American lifestyle have no idea as to the negative impact that the massive population is making on the Earth, nor do they acknowledge the negative impact that the typical American consumer lifestyle has on the Earth. Much of the world have awakened to the reality of overpopulation, global warming and consumerism - but many in America refuse to take responsibility for their actions, instead leaving it to their mythical gods to protect the Creation that they themselves are destroying - ironic, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI followed my convictions and am childless by choice, BUT I have also devoted myself to charity work and teaching (both for children). I didn't need my OWN children to make me a better person.
Thank you for sharing this nice information. this information is very useful fo me................
ReplyDeleteRamesh Bidhuri
Robin, this is a topic near and dear to my heart, and I think you're very brave to be tackling it. Not having kids, supporting local organic farmers, and being a volunteer/shopper/donator at my local creative reuse center are all ways in which I'm trying to do my part to be a good citizen of the planet. Honestly, though, I think the population issue is the bigger one.
ReplyDelete*Hugs.*