Columns

PLOWE | The Basis for Human Rights is Presence

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I write to invite readers to be more present with themselves and with others. 

As a senior on The Sun, I’ve produced a lot of material. While I’ve written most recently about political moral responsibility and relating the Uyghur genocide to our lives here in Ithaca, I have also written about the state of local arts, music and literature as they contribute to our capacity to just be, and to be together. Advocating for presence is a common thread throughout my writing — the concept is immense to me. 

What does it mean to be, or to be present? What greater implications does presence have beyond feeling good on the meditation cushion?

Arts & Culture

Plein Air Painting and Reflecting Constant Change

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Painting en plein air is an old way of breaking out of the so-called predetermined results of painting in a studio, the sort of thing famous old painters did in French gardens while wearing excellent hats. But you can make it whatever you like. Consider it an exercise in presence.