Northampton — By now, it should be apparent that the United States has entered a condition of perpetual war – or is perched on the edge of unremitting war. The state of continual conflict may have seemed to begin with the terrorist attacks in 2011 and continued with our current focus on militant Islamists in the Middle East.
But in fact, the inclination for war emerges from a far deeper place in the American psyche. At least, that is the view of the Great Barrington writer and designer team of Phil Johnson and Karen Skelton who have mounted an exhibit, “The Stamp Act: Continuous War on Earth by the U.S.,” at the Historic Northampton Museum and Education Center. The exhibit runs until November 9.
The exhibit is dedicated to Sojourner Truth (1797-1883), an African-American born into slavery but who won her freedom and became an outspoken advocate for women’s rights.
The show consists 60 of framed narratives and visuals of major U.S. wars, starting with the war on Native Americans and ending with images of current “wars.”
“The show investigates and documents the apparent American need, or drive, for war, from the day the first settler arrives from elsewhere,” explained Johnson. “This aspect of our nature showed itself from the beginning and continues today, creating a culture of continuous war.”
The title of the exhibit comes from the 1765 Stamp Act, imposed on American colonists by the Crown and requiring printed materials to be produced on paper made in London identified by an embossed stamp. The Stamp Act with its attendant tariffs was one of the grievances against British rule that provoked a rebellion.
“Our Stamp Act is a statement on the side of peace, justice and our environment,” Skelton said, during an interview at the couple’s Oak Street living room. “Our Stamp Act is a cry for peace on all fronts, which is the only hope for healing wounds and preventing further damage to Mother Earth, home to all living beings.”
Not all the wars in the exhibit are military conflicts. Skelton and Johnson have also included the War on Poverty – the only “life-giving” war, they observe – and the War on Women.
“Added together,” Johnson said, “the waves of war add up to one global war on the environment that puts the survivals of life on earth at risk.”
And he adds: “The questions I have is why the U.S. has been involved in so many wars? And why do these wars, military and nonmilitary, continue to proliferate?”
As a running commentary on the graphic images there are also quotations from what Skelton describes as “American truth-tellers.” The quotations include observations from soldiers and civilians alike, describing the “emotion toll war exacts, the atrocities, absurdities and hypocristy perpetrated by our government.”
Skelton and Johnson have also created a “war rationale booklet” modeled after ration stamp booklets that include promotional materials used to inspire citizens to sacrifice to support the fight against fascist aggression. Proceeds from the sale of these booklets will be donated to the Museum.
