Dec. 1, 2025

Music to My Ears (Like a Gun to My Head)

by Dymitri Haraszewski (author's profile)
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Fr.John Posted 1 month, 1 week ago. ✓ Mailed 2 weeks, 6 days ago   Favorite
Dymitri,

Art is subjective. It intersects with our consciousness in many ways but broadly, you might say in two ways, intentionally and unintentionally. We seek art sometimes, for instance what I listen to in music changes with the mood I am sitting with. Different artists for angry, happy, sad, triumphant, in need of healing, and so forth. In this way, music reinforces mood or is used to alter my state of consciousness. When I click through an art gallery (living too far from Chicago), I pause where I reflect, and pass by where I don't see the vision of the artist. When I read a book, i copy portions I deem are needed for my own artistic endeavors. All voluntary acts.

But what you cite here about feelings being foisted on you is true. Yet another example of the needling suffering of incarceration and societal punishment without regard to guilt or innocence. I see no justice here. There is one fella that calls from seg where a guy across the hall screams each time he phones. Is his action meant to torture the fella trying to communicate or meant to help me understand his terror? His art confuses me.

D, tomorrow I have two medical procedures. Regardless of the outcome, know you have enriched my life, and please write something for me like you did for 'Whispers,' so that my family and friends, or I, may know your inner feelings.

Recently a fella from Kansas wrote me an exact quote of yours, nearly word-for-word. "I am an artist, not a prisoner who does art." When I read it, I smiled and thought of you.

All the best, John

Iconoclassy Posted 1 month, 1 week ago. ✓ Mailed 2 weeks, 6 days ago   Favorite
Hello Dymitri. I believe I do understand what you may be feeling in those situations. It seems a little like an Inquisition torturer (to use one of your metaphors) reading from the Quran as he murders a Muslim for his faith.
And with you, I also believe Mssrs de la Rocha, Wilk, Commerford, and Morello would not be happy to know their music was played by police on the job. I'm sure they'd gladly return the royalties in a jiffy.
Thanks for your thoughts. Please do keep them coming.

Dymitri Haraszewski Posted 16 hours, 31 minutes ago.   Favorite
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