As anyone who has visited the Norman Rockwell Museum well knows, the artist had a well-defined social conscience that is evidenced in such iconic paintings as The Problem Everybody Lives With, The Golden Rule, Moving Day and the Four Freedoms paintings that he made during World War II to illustrate President Roosevelt's landmark speech. "We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms," Roosevelt said in his 1941 State of the Union message. "The first is freedom of speech and expression—everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way—everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want—which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants—everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear--which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor—anywhere in the world." Now, in the tradition of its namesake, the Norman Rockwell Museum is hosting a series of Four Freedoms Town Hall Meetings. On Thursday, February 16, the museum is sponsoring a panel discussion: "Freedom From Want: Food, Farmers and Families–A Community Dialogue." The speakers will include Andrew Morehouse, executive director of The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts; Barbara Zheutlin, executive director of Berkshire Grown; Brian Alberg, executive chef of The Red Lion Inn; Laura Meister, farmer/owner of Farm Girl Farm, in Egremont; Lila Berle, farmer/owner of Sky Farm in Stockbridge (who was also one of the museum's founders.) Laurie Norton Moffatt, the museum's director and CEO, sees these forums as a way to encourage civilized dialogue in world where it has become increasingly difficult to have polite political debates. What is political about good food? "The Berkshires are increasingly known for local organic food, but many of our residents cannot afford this healthy food," she says. "We want to start a discussion on this very serious issue." Freedom From Want: Food, Farmers and Families–A Community DialogueFebruary 17, 5:30 p.m. Four Freedoms for All? A Community Dialogue About ImmigrationMarch 24, 5:30 p.m. Norman Rockwell Museum9 Route 183, Stockbridge; 413-298-4100 x 221
