Kscopesoul

"I remember hearing about this, it fu***ng rocked me. So very relevant to our world right now.

Please read.

In 1974, Serbian performance artist Marina Abramović created one of the most disturbing works in modern art.

It was called Rhythm 0.

Rhythm 0 took place at Studio Morra in Naples and lasted six hours. Abramović stood motionless beside a table containing 72 objects. The audience was told they could use any of them on her and that she would accept full responsibility.

Some objects were harmless: a rose, a feather, honey and flowers. Others could wound or kill: scissors, razor blades, knives, a whip, a gun and a single bullet.

At first, people treated her gently. They gave her flowers, kissed her and carefully moved her body.

Then the atmosphere changed.

Once the audience understood that Abramović would not resist, speak or defend herself, some people began testing how far they could go. Her clothes were cut away. Her skin was cut with a razor. Rose thorns were pressed into her body. She was exposed, humiliated and treated not as a human being, but as an object available for public use.

At one point, someone placed the loaded gun against her neck. Another audience member intervened. By then, the crowd had divided between those willing to harm her, those trying to protect her and those who simply stood nearby and watched.

That third group matters.

The lesson of Rhythm 0 is not only that some people will become cruel when they are given power and believe there will be no consequences. It is also that cruelty depends on spectators.

Abuse rarely survives through the actions of one person alone. It survives because others remain silent, look away, avoid taking sides or convince themselves that what is happening is not their responsibility.

The people watching Abramović were not all as culpable as those cutting and threatening her. But their passivity helped create the environment in which the abuse could continue. Silence did not make them neutral. It made them part of the conditions that allowed it.

When the six hours ended, Abramović began moving and walked towards the audience.

The relationship changed instantly. She was no longer a silent object. She was a person looking directly at those who had touched her, cut her, threatened her or watched it happen.

According to Abramović, many could not face her. They avoided her gaze or left the room rather than confront what they had done—or what they had allowed others to do.

That is why Rhythm 0 remains relevant.

The world is full of people who insist they are “not political,” “do not take sides” or prefer to stay out of conflict. But when people are being abused, persecuted, exploited or dehumanised, refusing to take a position is itself a position. It protects the status quo and leaves the victim to face the aggressor alone.

You do not need to be perfect, powerful or heroic. You do not need to devote every waking moment to activism. But every person has some capacity to object, intervene, speak, organise, vote, support victims, challenge lies or refuse to cooperate with cruelty.

Those who use that capacity to harm others deserve condemnation.
Those who have the power to resist and repeatedly choose silence should not congratulate themselves for being neutral. They should ask why their comfort mattered more than another person’s suffering.

A better world is not created by private decency alone. It is created when people are willing to make their values visible, oppose those doing harm and accept some personal cost for standing beside those with less power.

Rhythm 0 was not only a warning about what bad people may do.
It was a warning about what everyone else may allow."

- Author unknown

The August newsletter has dropped. 🥰 Go read it! Click around! Get excited for all the opportunities to be in community and have fun!

Renaissance Revival is here! The gates are open! Go forth and explore the events! This labor of love is for the Eau Claire community and is a collaboration between two small, women-owned businesses: Kaleidoscope Soul + Forage. We could not be more excited for this four-day event! [9/22–9/25] Check out all the things! There are daytime and evening events. All events will take place at Forage. See the Renaissance Revival page via the Kaleidoscope Soul website for full details. All tickets are going through Forage. Huzzah!

Yay France!

On July 15, France's National Assembly approved an aid-in-dying law after years of public debate and advocacy. If upheld following constitutional review, the law will allow eligible adults with incurable, advanced illnesses to have the option of an assisted death under strict safeguards.

Our CEO, Peg Sandeen, reflected on this milestone after meeting with French Minister Agnès Firmin-Le Bodo in 2023 to discuss Oregon's decades of experience with medical aid in dying.

Read more about what this means for France, how the law differs from the U.S. model, and the growing model for dignity at the end of life. https://tinyurl.com/mups8vun

"There is a candle in your heart, ready to be kindled. There is a void in your soul, ready to be filled. You feel it, don't you?" -Rumi

🚨 CONGRESS IS WRITING THE CONTINUING RESOLUTION (CR) THIS WEEK 🚨

The decisions about whether a h**p extension is included are being made right now.

This may be our best opportunity to secure a two-year extension of the current November 12 deadline.

Without an extension, most of the h**p products Americans legally purchase today could become unavailable beginning November 12.
This would be the end of our business and most others that have been building a community with legal access for 8+years.

The White House has called on Congress to extend the implementation deadline. Now Congress needs to hear from the people they represent.

⏱ Take 3 Minutes. Complete 2 Actions.
📧 1. Send Your Letter

Text SIGN PVMWIZ to 50409

A letter will automatically be prepared and sent to your U.S. Representative and both of your U.S. Senators.

📞 2. Call Both of Your Senators

Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

Ask for each of your Senators and say:

"I am a constituent from [City, State]. Please ensure the upcoming government funding bill includes a two-year extension of the Section 781 implementation date, from November 12, 2026, to November 12, 2028. This matters to me because [one sentence]."

This Week Matters

Congress is drafting this legislation now. Once it's finalized, the opportunity to include this extension may be gone.

Whether you're a consumer, patient, veteran, farmer, retailer, manufacturer, or simply someone who believes adults should have access to legal h**p products, your voice matters.

Please take three minutes today to send a letter, make two quick phone calls, and encourage others to do the same.

Every message helps. Every call counts.

Love this!

This is what community is all about!

Atlanta resident Nicky Crawford is helping bring dignity and care to the city’s unhoused community through Flowing with Blessings.

After launching free mobile shower trailers, Crawford worked with Georgia Tech student engineers to turn a school bus into a mobile laundry room for those in need.