MUST BE MOTHER AND DAD. 

1992.  Oil (30 X 24”).  Nfs.

                                               

Text/caption:

             King Phillip's head impaled on Leyden Street, Plymouth (ca. 1667-1701).

             “…those who scaped the fire were slaine with the sord; some hewed to pieces, others rune threw with their rapiers… It  was a  fearfull sight to see them thus frying in the fire, and the streams of blood qenching the same and horrible was the stench and sente thereof, but victory seemed a sweet sacrifce, and they gave the prayers thereof to God who had wrought so wonderfully for them, thus to enclose their enemies in their hands…”-- from Willaim Bradford’s OF PLIMOTH PLANTATION

           

ARTIST COMMENT:  This quote from Bradford illustrates the often-used invocation to a just God to justify terror and atrocities used to conquer Native Americans, defend American interests, or go to war as in Vietnam.  ‘Wrath’ used on those considered sub-human or possessed by the devil is to be praised with songs of righteousness.

            One wonders what kinds of prayers were said praising the police on November 27, 1997 for their attack on a peaceful demonstration by the United American Indian of New England and their supporters almost on the very spot that King Phillip’s head remained impaled for over twenty years.