WHAT IF?

Photo credit Cher Universe

I have been trying to write this post for a week. The idea seemed like a cool one when I thought of it. A conversation between two women who, in my opinion, worked for many of the same goals. To fight injustice and to fight for equality for all people.

Was I being too presumptuous?  Frida Kahlo died on  July 13, 1954. I was not born until 1957. I have never visited  Mexico. How could I possibly write a conversation between Cher and Frida Kahlo?  What if I screwed up? 

 I decided to write what I felt and imagined the conversation between them would have been I hope my imaginings do both women justice. 

Their meeting takes place in the garden of La Casa Azul  (The Blue House.) Frida Kahlo's home. 

 https://www.tripsavvy.com/inside-la-casa-azul-

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Cher: Thank you for accepting my request to meet with you. I was inspired to record a song in Spanish after seeing the movie, Frida. The scene where the man was singing touched me deeply. So much pain in his voice. I wanted to sing in Spanish with the same passion and pain.

Frida Kahlo: I have heard your version of the song Chiquitita. It is beautiful. You did well.

Cher; The two of us have much in common. You share my love of animals. Your exotic birds and the monkeys in this garden are amazing. 

Frida Kahlo: My parrots are my friends. My monkeys represent the children that I was never able to have. My monkeys have been in several of my self-portraits.

Cher: I campaigned for four years to have Kaavan, a lonely elephant living, in chains in a zoo, in Istanbul freed  I am happy to tell you that earlier this year Kaavan was sent to an elephant sanctuary. The news that he had been freed was one of the great joys of my life.

Frida Kahlo: I would have done the same thing. Animals are living beings. They should not be caged or mistreated.

Cher: I  obtained special permission to come to Mexico to visit you amid the COVID-19 Pandemic. The flight crew on the plane that brought me here, was covered from head to toe in protective gear. We are sitting here wearing masks and gloves, six feet apart. Our world has become one giant science fiction movie.

The murder of an innocent man, George Floyd, by police has sparked riots and protests. Some have been peaceful, some have not. I think to myself,  It's the twenty-first century, 2020. This can't be happening, but it is. It did. We need leaders who believe that all the people in the world are equal.

Frida Kahlo: The pandemic is far from over. It is a thief that has stolen too many lives. Those in power did not heed the warnings soon enough. Now restrictions are being lifted. People are eager to return to their activities. I understand this, but they should be cautious. I fear the predictions of a second wave of the virus may be true. Safety is the most important thing. Wearing protective gear is a small price to pay to be protected. 

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Both of us know that all people deserve equality in all aspects of their lives. Mr. Floyd's death was a senseless, abuse of power by the police. More education is needed. Until the people of the world realize we are all equal. No one is better than anyone. It is everyone's responsibility to help one another. It is everyone's responsibility to strive for a peaceful world. I believe it can and will happen. It must. Otherwise, there's no hope. There must always be hope.

Cher  The media refers to me as an icon. I do know about you, but I hate that word. I am no one special. I knew that would be famous. I began perfecting my autograph when I was eleven years old. I hope I bring joy to people through my work. I do what I can to help those in need, but I am no one special.

Frida Kahlo; I do not like labels. I am not special because I paint. I taught myself to paint after the bus accident. I was in a body cast for months. Learning to paint was my refuge. If someone relates to something in one of my paintings. I am happy. If someone hears me speak about equality for all and joins in my fight I am overjoyed.

Cher; Thank you so much  You have a beautiful home. I enjoyed meeting and talking with you.  

Frida Kahlo; It was my pleasure. Safe travels.

For more information:

Frida Kahlo: ttps://www.fridakahlo.org/frida-kahlo-paintings.jsp

Cher: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000333/bio

WORK FOR PEACE

My school was predominantly made up of black students. None of us ever thought about the color of our skin. We were just kids with disabilities. No one was better than the other.

In high school, when the white girls in my class called me names the black girls in my class accepted me. I was a nerd and a geek. not boy crazy, but starstruck. I devoured every movie magazine I could get my hands on. They didn't care about my geekiness. We were friends. The fact that I was white and they were black did not matter.

Kids don't care. They just want someone cool to be friends with. Why is it so difficult for adults? Just stop. 

Our country is being destroyed/ Both figuratively and literally. I get the protests, but not the violence and destruction.  How long will it take people to rebuild what they have lost? Is this the image of America we want the rest of the world to see? If a positive change does not happen soon I fear the principles this country was founded on will no longer exist.

I was pleased to see photos of Joe Biden speaking with some of the protesters. I was also pleased to see police marching alongside protesters in solidarity. 

George Floyd's murder was a heinous act.  Carried out by people who are supposed to protect us.

I see the images online. I read the stories. I want to do something. Writing is all I can do.

Please stop. Please unite. Please work for peace.