To the editor: For some time I have felt that a driving force in the fracture of our society is that many of us have subscribed to the once abhorrent view that the ends justify the means.
Therefore, I was disappointed to read USC environmental studies professor Shannon Gibson's op-ed that attempts to justify attacks on historically important art in the name of advancing climate change goals.
Those who adopt an “ends” perspective should note that it has often been misused throughout history to justify radical actions by those willing to cause great harm in the name of their own “just” cause. .
The events of January 6, 2021 are one recent example that comes to mind, but unfortunately there are many others.
Russ Swartz, Hills of Granada
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To the editor: Leonardo da Vinci's painting of the “Mona Lisa” has been behind bulletproof glass since the 1950s, when someone tried to destroy it. The recent attack (throwing soup at bulletproof glass) was intended to attract attention, not damage the paint.
Leonardo da Vinci was a scientist and engineer. If he were alive today, he would recognize the urgent need to address climate change. In fact, he would probably be working on solutions.
You might as well appreciate the publicity generated by people throwing soup at your painting.
Ann Rushton, Sherman Oaks
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To the editor: Gibson suggests that “research on social movements shows that there is a strategy behind disruptive antics,” such as throwing food at famous art exhibits to get activists to get their point across when they feel the world is not moving in the right direction. correct address. In this case, they were climate change activists.
Perhaps the civil rights, women's rights, and LGBTQ+ rights movements would have achieved their goals sooner if, in addition to marches and demonstrations, they had also thrown food or paint at art exhibits.
Can you imagine what Martin Luther King Jr. would have thought about this? What nonsense.
Phil Hyman, Van Nuys
