Letters to the Editor

Materialism not an indicator of Fresno cultural expansion

In response to Juan Guzman’s column, “Fresno cultural scene growing,” I feel that Mr. Guzman tapped into a common Fresnan precept of progress and culture.

He stated that “…high-end retailers like Banana Republic … recently invested in Fresno.” Guzman uses this as evidence in support of Fresno’s cultural expansion.

Indeed, I have heard other individuals make the comment that because of a Cheesecake Factory or new shop, “Fresno finally has something to do.”

However, I believe the Fresno tendency of flocking to new chain restaurants and other cookiecutter venues perpetuates the idea that we would rather be living somewhere else.

How can we view the frenzied consumption of mass produced khakis as bettering us culturally?

In many ways, I think that these chains take away from, rather than add to local culture by making us like everyone else.

I am bothered by Fresno’s inferiority complex; that we somehow have less to offer than other cities of our size and diversity.

The fact that we feel the need to publish a column justifying that a cultural scene even exists is a sad reality.

As a former dancer for the Fresno Ballet, I remember the artistic staff for our company making judgment calls about interesting concepts for new ballets, saying, “Fresno would not be interested in something so experimental and cultural.”

If the arts are speaking so dejectedly of themselves and of their Fresno audiences, how will they succeed?

Fresno needs to awake from a spirit of self-deprecation and broaden its definition of cultural experience beyond materialism.

-— Jill Buettner
English major, Senior

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