Welcome to CCR STUDIOS, a private group of researchers and writers offering a forum for those seeking information on a changing and shrinking world.
According to Merriam-Webster's, the definition of "liberal arts" is as follows:
1. the medieval studies comprising the trivium and quadrivium
2. college or university studies (such as language, philosophy, literature, abstract science) intended to provide chiefly general knowledge and to develop general intellectual capacities (such as reason and judgment) as opposed to professional or vocational skills
The editor's note at www.merriam-webster.com states that the "liberal in liberal arts, a cornerstone of the education of so many, has very little to do with political leanings; its roots can be traced to the Latin word liber, meaning 'free, unrestricted.' Our language took the term from the Latin liberales artes, which described the education given to freeman and members of the upper classes, and involved training in the mind (grammar, logic, geometry, etc.). The lower classes were educated in the arts, which were mechanical or occupational in nature. The phrase liberal arts has been part of our language for a very long time, with use dating back to the 14th century."
In an "age of information" there is just no place for such division in "class" when it comes to being informed. Liberal arts are for all, whether you go to college, technical school or no "school" at all. If you're on the net and plugged in to your device as your source of information . . . you're in school. But the "art" in liberal arts is the function of obtaining and critically reviewing the information in context and totality. As many topics of contention are topics of significant nuance, we are often reduced to picking the source with the most efficient sound bite delivered by a media with an obvious and necessary agenda. Complex issues are often relegated to summaries, and history often gets edited by attrition and apathy. In that regard, our goal of "securing the artists' interests" is to provide a forum where serious attention to history and current events is promoted with both nuance and balance.
We are excited to offer our second NONfiction publication exploring contemporary issues and concerns of Culture, race and justice. Like our first book, it is the story of a man’s journey and education. his journey would lead him to embrace the words of james baldwin who said:
“the paradox of education is precisely this - that as one begins to become conscious one begins to examine the society in which he is being educated.”
history is rolling forward at an ever faster and more unforgiving pace and social distancing does not promote discourse.Paying attention is an active and engaging process, not merely a past time. Paying attention is an art, a “liberal” art. Stay safe,stay informed, and most importantly . . .
stay connected.
