To the Editor:
After carefully reading the APP article linked below as well as a detailed historical account of Jersey Shore Arts Center, it seems to me that QSpot is simply not congruous with the mission of JSAC. From JSAC’s inception, it has exclusively been about promoting the arts in every capacity. Even its newest addition of 2014, wherein a culinary institute was established for training the disabled for employment possibilities is geared towards the culinary “ARTS”.
It seems that anyone and everyone interested in learning about, participating in and generally being a part of the arts world are welcome regardless of race, creed, color or sexual preference. Even the culinary institute which is geared towards the disabled, while focusing on that rubric in particular, would certainly, it seems, welcome a gay or transgender student as well as any other, provided they were disabled. However, from what I gather, while QSpot is peripherally involved in the arts (e.g. – the LGBT film festival), it seems their primary focus and mission is directed towards counseling and serving the LGBT community with emphasis on things like HIV and TG awareness. While this kind of organization is certainly admirable and absolutely necessary, it is NOT in accord with JSAC’s primary mission of promoting the arts.
Even the debate about being asked to remove their rainbow flag hung in solidarity after the Orlando massacre at the gay club is comprehensible in this light because an arts center is for everybody and is about the arts, and any flag which particularizes attention to any group, whether LGBT or the Republican Party or supporters of Israel or Black Lives Matter, is inappropriate in the context of an apolitical organization or building which is about inclusivity for all in the interest of promoting the arts. As soon as flags are flying, no matter how justifiable the cause may be, it is no longer about the arts, it is no longer apolitical, and it is no longer inclusive. Flags are inherently exclusive by nature and can either intentionally or unintentionally alienate certain people, which unquestionably runs athwart of the objective of an arts center for ALL.
This whole conflict seems unfairly contrived against JSAC for the sake of a political agenda. QSpot should just be mature and honest about it and find a new headquarters. Just because society is finally beginning to acknowledge gay rights in a big way, as it should, does NOT mean that every issue involving gay people has to be about their rights or the ostensible impingement of their rights. As someone once wisely said, “Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar” and sometimes a non-renewal on a lease is just a non-renewal on a lease.
LEONARD ZUBERMAN is a nom de plume of a writer who lives in Monmouth County.
October 6, 2016
GRIZZLY BEAR “Easier” From the movie Blue Valentine
“I know, I know
The doors won’t close
The pipes all froze
Just let it go”
Oh Gee, I am sure that QSpot and Mr. Herbst both have attorneys.
But, you are definitely correct about staying away from court. You never know what a Judge may decide.
Jack,The landlord signed a lease with the Qspot. You can’t throw a tenant out because you changed your mind. Legally it will come down to is what written in the lease document. Maybe a judge will end up deciding for both parties. Mr. Herbst would be better off letting Qspot stay until the expiration of their lease. That saves a ton of money in legal fees, and gives the Q-spot ample time to find a new home.
Apparently, Mr Herbst’s view of the meaning of art and education has changed – since he first decided to choose to rent to QSpot.
Why did they rent to QSpot and the church in the first place?
Becky, “Education” is also subjective. If Herb Herbst thinks QSpot is not art or education, then in his building, QSpot is not Art or Education. After all, he is the landlord.
Jack, programs need to be considered art or education. QSpot is education and beyond. Now, the continued yoga class is not considered by anyone as art or education. It is exercise.
‘Art is in the eye of the beholder’
If Herb Herbst thinks QSpot is not art, then in his building, it’s not art.
Dr. Carol and Steve. It is a bad idea to compromise a business decision by a kind gesture. It sets a precedent and it favors one minority group. How about the church which is also being forced out? How about a kind gesture for them too?
It also would send a message that the original decision was based on bias and now guilt or political correctness takes hold.
Dr Carol’s suggestion makes perfect sense. That would be both a wonderful gesture of the CMA and also a wonderful solution from the JSAC.
If the landlord is worried that the Camp Meeting might revoke his leasehold because Q-Spot is not solely an arts organization, one solution might be to offer a month-to-month lease contingent on no adverse action from the Camp Meeting.
Even better — why not ask the Camp Meeting for a letter permitting an exception for this organization? Wouldn’t that be a lovely gesture from the Camp Meeting to our gay neighbors?
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The issue on Blogfinger is not whether the yoga class is more or less deserving than the QSpot group. The issue is whether the JSAC acted appropriately in refusing the lease renewal.
Please try to stick to the topic. If you want to talk about the yoga class, send us a letter to the editor, and we will consider posting a discussion about that.
The same goes for the discussion on discrimination where the issue is whether or not the town of OG discriminates against the LGBT community as stated in that letter. We are not interested in philosophical dissertations about discrimination. Let’s please stay focused if you want to comment on Blogfinger.
Yoga is not art. Kick that class out and keep the Q spot. Q spot is educating our community and supporting the LGBT Community. Yoga does not impact anyone’s life in this community, except for those who want to take a cheap Yoga Class.
Well said, Mr. Zuberman.
Thank you for sharing this letter with another perspective on this issue. I would hope this will help to keep the matter from becoming a major controversy.
Leonard : Your analogy makes no sense . The JSAC is not the Red Cross . Nor is it a place of conflicting visions or individual flag waving . I think QSpots fellow tenants-neighbors have no problem with them or them being or staying there .
Why should JSCA or any other Artists facility be a “safe Harbor” ? Why can’t it be a beacon from which Artists visions can be broadcast ? Arts facilities, Galleries and Museums have exhibited & supported Art with a vision & a statement for quite some time . That they do so is noble , useful and commendable .
I think a conversation with QSpot leader and Herb needs to take place. I have attended “Arts”events at Qspot. Is theatre (one actor shows) not art?
To Frank S:
Yes, indeed, it is a good and needed thing that art and artists should be political and outspoken critics of society and not only critics but contributors, contrivers, and constructors of new realities and visions for a more uplifted humanity. There is no disagreement there.
The point which I was originally attempting to convey might be best exemplified through analogy: Imagine that the Red Cross goes into some some conflicted territory in the Middle East and establishes a bastion where all are welcome to seek refuge under the safe aegis of the Red Cross banner. If within that safe harbor there are Sunnis and Shiites and Christian Copts and secularists and political activists et al, all given the haven to heal and worship and conceive according to their ethos, the Red Cross does not then abrogate their overarching platform and vision by having each sect or interest group wave their particular flag or promulgate their particular ideology or convictions via The Red Cross facility. The Red Cross remains a neutral refuge. To promulgate or flag wave, a group must decamp to a facility which fosters that message.
So it is with JSAC. They are the safe harbor for artists and artistic vision to develop but not the platform from whence those visions are to be broadcast. There is a marked and pertinent difference there.
And the primary question still remains: Is QSpot primarily an arts related/arts education organization? It would seem not. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, except inasmuch as it does not comply with the overarching mission of JSAC.
I disagree with the premise that Art & Artists should be apolitical . Artists historically have been political and outspoken critics of society . This is a good & needed thing . Would you prefer Art / Artists be apathetic & uninvolved ? Maybe sit in the corner painting pretty pictures & be blissfully ignorant ?