September 9, 2023

Letter: Cavalcante and the state of journalism

We are now more than a week into a community hostage crisis, where (yet again) we are being held captive to the incompetence of government officials. While some name-brand media organizations have descended on our neighborhood to report on the story, the most detailed (and interesting) information has not come from traditional print or television sources. Instead, many locals have turned to visiting “citizen journalists,” among them a guy on X with the handle @nikthehat and a YouTuber who served time in prison for wire fraud.

As you might expect, one of these groups is not welcomed into the official press conferences. Yet those unwelcomed citizen journalists may be the only ones asking tough questions and providing the most up-to-the-minute “on the street” reporting from the frontlines of the manhunt. In our evolving digital age, it might be important to think about why this is the state of journalism in 2023.

If one were only to get “news” from the local paper or a 3-minute hit on Fox29, they wouldn’t know very much as we enter day 9 of the hostage crisis. Yet one who tuned in last night to the YouTube channel of the man dubbed the Most Litigious Person Alive would have heard a long and remarkably candid conversation with a Pennsylvania state trooper and an even more illuminating conversation with a man claiming to be a drone operator directly involved in the investigation. That conversation revealed the number, model, and cost of drones being used, interesting insights about what they may know about Cavalcante’s movement and other previously unreported details about the investigation.

I don’t know if any of that reporting is accurate, and citizens should always seek multiple sources rather than blindly accept the news as it is reported, whether by the “experts” or some random guy with a phone. Nevertheless, at least these citizen journalists are actually on the ground, developing sources and live-streaming information rather than just lapping up and regurgitating the “official” narrative.

Maybe it isn’t fair to expect that level of gumshoe investigative journalism from our underfunded and dying local newspapers, but what about the super-important journalists from the Inquirer and the local television networks? Why aren’t they demanding answers from the ambitious district attorney (who wants to be elected judge in a few months) about how the prison board on which she serves allowed this to happen after an escape in the exact same manner just a few months ago?

Why aren’t they asking why our grandstanding governor hasn’t made an appearance yet, or how much this debacle is costing taxpayers? It is our money, after all. The corporate journalists have barely even challenged the inconsistencies in the ever-evolving official narrative. Aren’t these questions that any journalist interested in holding government officials accountable should be asking right now?

Some of us were reminded recently of the immense importance of the First Amendment. The Danelo Cavalcante hostage crisis demonstrates that the rights and access of citizen journalists must be defended – even those with questionable personal histories. Citizen journalists fill a serious information gap created by “corporate journalists” who prove time and again that they are unwilling to challenge most government officials – even when the incompetence or dishonesty of those officials leads to serious public consequences.

Danelo Cavalcante will probably be captured or killed soon, but the troubled state of corporate journalism is a problem that will linger well after this latest distraction passes.

Chad Williams
Birmingham Township

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Brandywine Art Guide: Groundbreaking Women of the ARTsisters

Arts & Entertainment

Like many creative professions, being an artist can be an isolating experience. The classic image of an artist quietly working in solitude still applies for many, which is why organizations that create community provide so much to artists beyond simple camaraderie. Groundbreaking Women, a new show at the Chester County Art Association, shows what being an ARTsister is all about.

“The point of Groundbreaking Women, as I see it, is to honor the women (some famous, some not) who have helped us or inspired us as artists,” said Laurie Lamont Murray, a member of ARTsisters and co-curator of this exhibition along with ARTsister Francis Beaty and CCAA President John Baker. “And by that definition, all our members qualify!” The exhibition includes works from many ARTsisters in various mediums. “In our group, you’ll find every medium and style, so there is always the support and knowledge of another member when you are stuck or want to try something new.”

“Being an artist is both my profession and my passion, but it can also be a very lonely occupation,” said Marjie Lewis Quint. “My sister artists give me creative feedback, encouragement, companionship.”

When coming together to create this exhibition, the idea of Groundbreaking Women truly inspired many of the artists. Some chose mentors as their inspiration, such as Blanche Levitt Torphy, who said, “My choice of a groundbreaking woman who influenced my work was Laurie Daddona,” who has been “my inspiration for creating art for the past 15 years.” Working together created a unique experience for Torphy: “Under her tutelage, Laurie has taught me that creating art can be joyful and expressive of one’s inner spirit.”

Other artists were inspired by more familiar faces. “My personal groundbreaking woman is Barbie,” said Quint. We are all living in the Year of Our Barbie 2023, but Quint has been fascinated with the superstar for many decades. “I played with her, my daughters played with her, and generations of girls have recognized the power of a woman who can unapologetically do anything. She owns her own home, has cars, closets of clothes, and has been everything from astronaut to dancer to doctor. She is everywoman and I love that she continues to inspire.”

The uniqueness of the ARTsisters organization shines in this exhibition. “Although I’ve been creating art all of my life, I was not a ‘trained’ artist and did not attend art school,” said Marcie Ziskind. “When I was finally ready (in my 60s) to start showing my art and possibly selling, I was looking for some mentorship and exhibiting opportunities. ArtSisters has been all of that and more! Each person in ArtSisters has given me something that I can use in my practice, whether it’s support or advice or encouragement or just someone to listen and hear my story. I’ve gained so much from this group of empowering, groundbreaking women.”

“I look forward to seeing tributes to the women who energized my fellow artists,” said Quint. “I hope visitors are themselves empowered, inspired, excited, and charmed by these groundbreaking women and the women artists following in their footsteps.”

This exhibition includes installations and constructions that visitors will be able to walk through, creating a multidimensional experience for visitors. It also gives perspective on the challenges women artists still face. “Although the percentage of working artists identifying as women or men is about equal, women are grossly underrepresented in major US museum collections,” noted Murray. “I would like viewers to recognize the important contributions that women have made in the arts and to work to turn the tide by supporting women artists.”

“We are all women artists, and we have so much in common with each other. But we are also vastly different in our art styles, perspectives, experiences, and lifestyles,” said Ziskind. “Despite the differences, we can converge to work towards a common goal, whether it is to put our art out there, raise money for excellent causes, or change the existing norms in society.”

Groundbreaking Women showcases the power of community. Torphy noted that she hopes visitors “see how impressive the art is in this exhibition, and how women working together in a creative process can accomplish some amazing works of art.”

The Opening Reception for Groundbreaking Women will be held Thursday, September 14 from 5 to 7 p.m., and an Artist Talk will be held Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. Treasures from the Collection of Philip Jamison will also be on view. Both shows are on view through October 4. The CCAA is located at 100 North Bradford Avenue, West Chester. More information can be found at ChesterCountyArts.org.

About Victoria Rose

Victoria Rose (she/her) is an editor, writer, avid reader, self-described geek, and fan of all things creative. Her passion for words has led to her current career as a freelance editor, and she is the owner of Flickering Words, an editing service. When not wielding a red pen (or cursor), she loves reading books of all genres, playing video, board, and word games, baking ridiculous creations to show off on the internet, or enjoying the gorgeous outdoors. She is a board member of the West Chester Film Festival and part of the Thirsty Monsters, a team of streamers from around the world who fundraise for various charities supporting LGBTQIA+ and accessibility rights. She can be found online @WordsFlickering or the Brandywine Art Guide @BrandywineArtGuide.

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