© Hector Lee, 2010
While this wasn’t how I had planned to celebrate my birthday, it was better than what I had in mind.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
a note from Bernie Sanders
Dear Hector:
I want to take this opportunity to thank you very much for contacting my office regarding the recent tax deal struck between President Obama and the Republican leadership. Frankly, the response from Vermonters and Americans all across the country – like you – was far beyond anything we could have imagined. As of this writing, we received a total of more than 10,000 phone calls and 9,324 e-mails. More than 98 percent of the responses were in opposition.
In my view, this huge outpouring of concern was not just about this harmful bill. It went deeper than that. It was a cry from the middle class who are deeply worried about the future of our country and where this agreement, and similar type bills, will lead us in the years to come.
At a time when we have a $13.7 trillion national debt and the most unfair distribution of income in the industrialized world, why are we giving huge tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires? Is there no end to their greed? And does anyone really believe that this will only be a two-year agreement with no future extensions?
Why should we be significantly lowering rates on the estate tax when it applies only to the very, very richest people in this country, the top 0.3 percent? The richest 1 percent already owns more wealth than the bottom 90 percent. Isn't that enough?
With the American people deeply worried about the future of Social Security, why are we diverting $112 billion from the Social Security trust fund in order to provide a 'payroll tax holiday?' Why is a Democratic president adopting this position, which has long been held by Republicans who want to eventually destroy Social Security by choking off its funds? With the Republicans coming to power in the House in a few weeks, why should anyone not think that this 'one-year' diversion will be made long-term or permanent? According to one major senior citizen organization, this action could be the beginning of the end for Social Security – the most successful anti-poverty program in the history of the United States.
It goes without saying that we must extend unemployment benefits for the millions of working families who, in the midst of this terrible recession, are about to see them expire. But why is this considered a 'concession' when for the last four decades Democrats and Republicans have always worked together and agreed that benefits must be continued when the unemployment rate is higher than 7.2 percent. This is not a 'concession' on the part of the Republicans. This is a continuation of long-held, bipartisan policy.
In conclusion, I believe that we could have reached and should reach a better agreement that represents the interests of middle class and working families of our country.
Let's keep working together.
Sincerely,
BERNARD SANDERS
United States Senator
Monday, December 13, 2010
Go Bernie
I must say I have admiration for Vermont's Senator Bernie Sanders who is alone in standing up to extending the Bush-era tax cuts brokered by the GOP leadership and President Obama. Sometimes you have to stand up to the bully on the playground even if you get your but whipped. Because if you let him push you around, he will continue to do so.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
La virgen de Tepeyác
As a personal promise every year I attend the mañanitas for la Virgen de Guadalupe. Nearly every Catholic Church with a sizeable Mexican population has them. When I was in New York, there was a tiny church on in lower Manhattan that was attended by Poblanos and on December 12th, it was packed.
For the last couple years, I have been attending the mañanitas at the Basilica of Mission Dolores. The Mass is a 5:00 am and people are already gathered in front of the church at 4:30 am. The image of la Virgen processes in the church, which quickly fills until there is standing room only. Rousing mariachi music accompanies the liturgy and there are solos of “Ave Maria.” There is a symbolic reenactment of Juan Diego showing his miraculous tilma to the bishop and a rain of rose petals falls from the copula of the basilica. The faithful stretch out their hands to gather the petals. Someone shouts: “VIVA la Virgen de Guadalupe!” and the congregation responds “¡Qué Viva!” It is very moving. At the end of the Mass, the people come up the center aisle to have their images, candles and flowers blessed by the priest. Then the people follow out to the auditorium for tamales, pan dulce and chocolate caliente. Unlike the Day of the Dead celebration in San Francisco, it feels authentic, as it is mostly Mexicans who get up at this early hour to celebrate the feast day of la Virgen del Tepeyác.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Looking for values to stand for
Dear Mr. President:
I understand that in politics compromise is necessary. But how have the Republicans compromised? They stuck to their guns saying there would be NO tax cut extension unless it included the wealthy. They got it. And they held extension of unemployment benefits hostage if they didn’t get it. Additionally, the proposed legislation reinstates the estate tax at 35% instead of 45% for estates starting at 3.5 million. How is that economically sound for the poor and middle class? It may be a compromise, it feels like a cave in.
The Republicans have made it clear they stand for something (no taxes, reduce deficit, the wealthy). What do Democrats stand for? What values will we fight for? In life, there will be fights we will win and fights we will lose. I believe sometimes we must fight even if we lose because the alternative would be not to lose our integrity and stand up for what we believe. If this is not the issue, what is?
Hector
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
new ventures
On Monday, a Kindergarten student approached me, “When are you going to make another book?” I had read one of my books to them in his classroom a few weeks ago.
The sincere tone of his question moved me.
“I don’t know. I have to find time to write and create a book.” I responded, even as the truth of the matter was that life and a slowing metabolism crowded out creative time to work on any project or art.
His words haunt me even as I embark on a new venture at UC Berkeley to expand my educational knowledge, improve my leadership skills and plunge myself into fourteen months of intense and rewarding work with the aim of having a wider repertoire to serve.
I just hope I can guard my time and find opportunities to continue art, books and illustration.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
celebrate love
Happy Anniversary Armando & Armida and Robert & Paloma.
Many continued years of love.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Henri Cartier-Bresson: the 20th Century
Hyéres, France 1932
absolutely beautiful
One of the benefits of the furlough days teachers were given is time. After volunteering in the morning at the SF Labor Council phone bank on November 1, I headed over to SFMOMA. “Henri Cartier-Bresson: the 20th Century” is a wonderful show which captures the three-quarters of twentieth century in black and white photographs. I admire Cartier-Bresson’s courage to not to shy away from war and conflictive areas.
He is know for coining the term “the decisive moment”—that of capturing the specific moment that captures the essence of the event as illustrated by the photograph “Behind the Gare St. Lazare,” which captures a man walking on water. A second before he would have been on the platform; a second later, he would be splashing in the water.
Behind the Gare Saint-Lazare, Paris 1932
L'Aquila Abruzzo, Italy, 1951
wonderful design and composition
Martigues, France 1932
intriguing juxtaposition
Allée du Prado, Marseille 1932
Monday, November 22, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Friday Nights at the de Young
One of the treats of the city is Friday Nights at the de Young, where people gather for socializing, music, art, drinks, and creating art. We created a weave of two Impressionist images.
Monday, November 15, 2010
montara state beach
Pang, Yoriko and I have been painting au plein air. Here are some sketches:
© Hector Lee, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
U urraca
© Hector Lee, 2010
It was good to celebrate the Giant's World Series win with a parade considering the current political situation in Washington.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
S serpiente
© Hector Lee, 2010
Woo-hoo! San Francisco Giants--2010 World Series Champions. We could use some thing to celebrate!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
We the dreamers and la corona
© Hector Lee, 2010
Happy Birthday, Adam. Lucky to be born on Hallowed Evening. Love you.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
October skies
© Hector Lee, 2010
Sometimes San Francisco October weather greets me with beautifous skies. Pastel colored clouds against an orange sky is what greeted me on my way to work one morning.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
10.10.10
I was able to see “Waiting for Superman.” The film has a definite perspective. David Guggenheim portrays charter schools as the solution to educating students who want to learn. And he portrays teachers unions and tenure as the enemy of educating children. It does not try to get the opinions of individuals that might counter his viewpoint. But perhaps having a balanced film was not his objective.
Having been an IRF for some eight years, I have witnessed poorly performing teachers who remain, especially at high priority schools for years and years. And have seen the failure of the system to moving them on from schools to other professions. Too often the “lemons” are simply moved on to another most likely high priority school. I think the union and the teaching profession should take charge in making sure that all teachers are competent and effective. When there is a poor teacher at a site, it reflects poorly on the teaching profession. We are only as strong as the weakest link. In reality, teachers who do not perform well should not be at any school. Last year I asked my union president what the union would do to keep poorly performing teachers from high-priority schools and the question was ignored.
On the other hand, Guggenheim fails to address important elements in contemporary education;
- The film shows parents who take the initiative to find schools that would benefit their children. Why does he not interview parents who have no initiative? What schools do the children of those parents go to? Charter schools? Private schools? And where is the portrayal of top public schools or children and parents who go to public schools?
- The film fails to address funding in education. California used to be the leader in the country for a fine K-12 school system and one of the top in university systems in the world. Now California now is 48th in per pupil spending in K-12. And our state and UC systems cannot guarantee that that all qualified high school graduates have a place in college. Why does the film fail to address the supplementary private funds that some charter schools must get?
- Charter schools can be selective in the students they admit. What is the percent of special education children, English-language learners they admit compared to public schools. Public schools must accept all students.
- Most of the children portrayed are children of color. But it fails to address how racism has been a determining element in the history of US education to communities of color and we live in a society which is a largely a product of that system. Why is it that “drop out factories” are largely in communities of color? And why does it fail to address the role of culturally-relevant curriculum in the communities it serves?
- And when was it that test scores are the sole determinant of student achievement? What are other elements of a fine education that cannot be demonstrated on a test and how are they evaluated?
- What does the director propose instead of tenure so teachers are not fired or dismissed simply because they did not jump at the whim of their administrator? Tenure was established to provide academic freedom to teachers without fear of retaliation.
- Why has the director chosen to opt out of the public school system rather than getting involved in his local community public school to make it better?
- No one knows how difficult it is to teach, to address the various levels and modalities a teacher has in the classroom. Teachers have children who do not speak English but are expected to attain standards in English, children with disabilities, children with family problems, children with endemic poverty or abuse at home. I invite the director to come teach at my school for a year and attain the standards he is expected to reach.
Maybe there will be a film depicting how we don't care about children, because if we did we would provide them with everything they need so they can succeed: childcare, healthcare, free preschool, mental health, jobs, well-balanced curriculum. Perhaps.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Van Gogh, Gaugin, Cézanne, and Beyond
Van Gogh’s Bedroom at Arles by Vincent Van Gogh © RMN
On Friday, I attended the Post-impressionism exhibit, “Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne and Beyond” at the de Young Museum. I thought there would be less people at for my 6:00 pm entrance but it was quite full. The previous exhibit was wonderful and this one was just as great, not too large to take it in an evening and with sufficient depth to come away moved.
While I find the pointillism of Georges Serrat too intellectual, I was mesmerized by his work, especially his small studies which were aligned at the end of the room. There is one of a nude woman’s back with is delightful. Desiree suggested we get the audio tour, which I usually decline. At Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” the commentary ended with a prolonged segment of piano music, probably Debussy, which heightened the experience of the paintings. Looking at Toulouse-Lautrec’s fine draftsmanship and composition and Van Gogh’s vibrant color alone was worth the price of admission. I learned about the Nabi (Hebrew for Prophet). Their paintings depicted the realm between observed and inner reality. I was drawn to the design and flat color and pattern in the works.The Talisman by Paul Sérusier is a remarkable small work. Next to it isLandscape with Green Trees by Maurice Denis with its simple design and masterful use of color.
This exhibit inspired Yoriko/Xavier and Pang/Yukino to paint en plein air in the city. I was able to join them on at the Fort Mason Community Garden for some dabbling and pleasurable creativity.
The White Cat by Pierre Bonnard © RMN
The Talisman by Paul Sérusier © RMN
The Muses by Maurice Denis © RMN
The Snake Charmer by Henri Rousseau © RMN
The Ball by Félix Valloton © RMN
Portrait of the Artist with the Yellow Christ by Paul Gaugin © RMN
© Hector Lee, 2010
© Hector Lee, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
pink clouds over oceanview
© Hector Lee, 2010
It so happens the autumn is my favorite season. It so happens that I happen to live in lovely San Francisco where the best weather is in September and October. It so happens that I am provided with fleeting vistas of beauty even at 7:00 a.m.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
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