Rebooting Rockwell's America: Journalism That Matters comes to the Berkshires
When:
September 11, 2009 - September 13, 2009
Where:
Stockbridge, MA
Website:
http://www.rockwellreboot.org Journalism that Matters, the Media Giraffe Project and others are convening a three day gathering “to consider the roots of American community, freedom, democracy – and the journalism which protects each”:
The America of Norman Rockwell’s mid-20th-century illustrations was rich with simple truths and sometimes hard choices. In that world, we respected authority, and the flag. We were asked to embrace justice, equality and tolerance. The “Country Editor” personified the Four Freedoms at the grassroots.
On Sept. 11, 2001, it was as if the last vestiges of Rockwell’s stoic, insular, yet generous nation had been torn asunder, and a new, darker period of fear engaged. A buy-now-pay-later ethic has brought some of our most valued journalism institutions to the brink. Now even the Missouri country editor works with bits and bytes alongside type and ink. Yet innovation abounds on the Internet, and we find new ways to connect and circulate. If Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and Twitter have taught us anything, it’s that we may hunger for the constancy of community more than ever.
Can we reboot Rockwell’s America in a digital age? Do we want to? What might be the role of art, and culture? Join us Sept. 11-13 to consider the options – and tools.