Truth, Letters, and Perseverance: Writing Across Both Status and Cultural Divides

(Info: This piece was written for a writing contest at the NYU Prague campus and is based on real people and events)

(Update: Second Place Essay, with a prize of a free trip to Berlin)

About This Global Contexts Project

Question 4. What is the legacy of Vaclav Havel for the Czech Republic and the world?

The project is mainly a meditation on who Vaclav Havel was and how his ideas are powerful not just in history, but in the modern world. Havel was an advocate for a new, increasingly modern style of thinking that was far ahead of its time. He was courageous and stood for truth and fairness in all that he did. Even if the communist regime would throw him into jail, Havel always stood by the tenets of his character. Now that the world is affected by newer totalitarian regimes that have a huge impact on the dispersion of ideas, freedom of expression is becoming an even more important and divisive topic. Mainly, these writings serve to present Havel as more than just the liberator and first president of the Czech Republic, but as a figure for world peace and an early adopter of the global mindset.

In order to address Havel’s quirky open-mindedness, the best way for it to be demonstrated was in a historical fiction piece. The piece features primarily fictional letter that are written to and from the rock and roll singer Lou Reed. Reed was chosen for the project because he perfectly emulates the Western mentality that Havel was enamored by during the communist occupation of Prague. Although this may seem like an odd choice at first, hopefully it will make more sense after reading the various letters. The very last writing, which is a blog post by Lou Reed, is entirely nonfiction to show that these letters are very much based in reality. Although I am not trying to convince the reader that the figures would say exactly these things, I want to demonstrate that it makes sense that they might have expressed some of these ideas.

Having read excerpts from Havel’s biography and the entirety of Lou Reed’s biography, the events that are referenced in the letters did actually happen. Also, it is in fact true that both of the figures were inspired by each other. Of the letters, the aspects that are fictional are the way they are worded. I tried my best to make sure that Reed’s sentences were slightly shorter and to the point in order to make them sound like him. Also, I definitely tried my best to reflect Havel’s interesting philosophies on life and art in his letters. These were all touches to make the overall feel of the project seem more authentic. Even better, I was able to find plenty of information on the instances in which they did meet each other. With all of these touches, the final piece will hopefully appear to be legitimate.

Lastly, I want to say that I decided to analyze Havel’s character from both the historical and cultural perspective. Yes, we all know that Havel created a free society for the Czech Republic; but his dynamic character provides for a modern world view that is still unique to him. He is quite possibly still ahead of his time. Since I am a Media student, I wanted to focus on globalization, art, culture, and media, along with how they collide. Putting Vaclav Havel’s philosophy into perspective is very helpful when considering globalization and how media affects the modern world. Havel once wrote in his speech, “The Need for Transcendence in the Postmodern World”, that transcendence is “a hand reached out to those close to us, to foreigners, to the human community, to all living creatures, to nature, to the universe” (Havel). This dream of a world without borders and divides unites all of Havel’s work together; whether he was in the theater or acting as president. He spoke for truth and freedom, and his dream has not fully been realized.

Citation:

Havel, Vaclav. “The Need for Transcendence in the Postmodern World.” World Transformation. Web. 11 Feb. 2016. <http://www.worldtrans.org/whole/havelspeech.html>.

November 17, 1989

Dear Mr. Lou Reed,

Though you may exist both geographically and culturally far away from me, I want to write about the insurmountable influence you have had on my writings. Since, I was just a teenager who wasn’t permitted to study in the Czech republic, I have been branded an outcast, a rebel, and a menace to the very fabric of my society. I was thrown out onto the streets. I was told that if I said exactly what my government told me to say then they would provide me with what I need to survive; but what was I to survive for? It wasn’t enough to just have food, shelter, and water, I also need to feel emotionally alive. In dark times like these you’ll risk everything for these emotions, which is why I need to write; to push the boundaries and be adventurous. I could have very easily been condemned for my who life, but what is life without being in love?

As somewhat of an outcast of your own culture, I know that you understand why western Rock and Roll struck a chord with me. You think what you want to think and let the words out to express yourself; the true self, not a superficial constructed self. Whether you are with the ‘The Velvet Underground’ or singing your solo material, you are yourself, strong and flawed in all of your glory. Like I have said before, you are wholly living in truth. Sadly, many people view you and others like you as outcasts. At least you are real. I did the same as I slaved over the manuscripts of “The Garden Party” and my many other absurdist works. Art should directly mirror our emotions in a lively way, but at the same great art makes us imagine a world that might exist. When you perform a song on a stage it is fairly similar to demonstrating emotions through the action of a play. Without this metaphysical expression what kind of life are we living? Later, when I wrote my essay, “The Power of the Powerless”, I was no longer writing for myself and realized that artistry and thought isn’t just cathartic; it can genuinely change history. All of the music and cultural knowledge I heard about from the west on Radio Free Europe helped me see what the world could be and for that I am forever indebted to Western culture no matter how much I would be beaten or how long I’d be thrown in jail for saying this.

Now that our “Velvet Revolution” has finally come to fruition and I am quickly transitioning from a lowly writer to a political and moral voice in my society, I want to ask if I could meet with you if I find myself traveling to the United States. Thousands of students, intellectuals, and myself have changed the world in a great way; and now no one like me should ever have to be so afraid as to hold their tongue again. Don’t forget that your art and music is not solitary, there are hundreds of outcasts on the fringe of a society who think similarly. Thank you for your inspiration over the years.

Sincerely,

Václav Havel

January 17, 1996

Dear Mr. Václav Havel,

About five years ago, I was delighted to receive a letter from you, since you happen to be a very courageous, amazing, and radical person; but I felt intimidated because I just sing about sex and drugs for a bunch of nobodies. I thought I’d never have an impact that could measure up to a single thing you did. Tonight, I am proving myself wrong, so I decided to write to you. Living in truth really can have a power over people. Later tonight, The Velvet Underground will be inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame and there are thousands of people who claimed to have been personally moved to live life to the fullest and make art because of us. No matter how much I though my truthful words could never change anything, they did; and here I am getting ready to inserted into the cultural cannon of the United States of America. Back in University, I studied philosophy and made music as a side-gig and I did not think that my actions as a performer could be that powerful. When I wrote, I wanted to be the next Kierkegaard. I wanted to be a pure vampiric being, and I guess it was this rebelliousness that made me pursue Rock and Roll. I didn’t think too much, because that would distract from the truth of who I am, and I did this mainly for myself. Now I’m not sure if it was more for myself or for everyone else.

As you explain well in your own writing, words are powerful; but this can only be the case if they are honest and true to the speaker. I guess I took for granted how easy it is for me to live in truth when some have to hide everything they own to do this. I’m pleased to acknowledge that my words have the power to reach you. Radio Free Europe was a really great and powerful tool, and still is to this day. It’s amazing to think that some eccentric on the other side of the globe could be influenced by the sounds I make. You must understand that in 1989 I was going through a difficult time in my life with drugs, alcohol, and stresses in my life. Now that I am in a much better space in my life, I feel confident to meet with you despite our many differences. I’m awaiting your reply, and hope to once again dwell on the philosophy that I once read in college. I hope it can act as a bridge between the Eastern and Western world to connect our cultures somewhere in the center. The world is smaller than it once was and we can no longer pretend that my or your ideas are exclusive to our homes.

Only the best,

Lou Reed

Dear Mr. Lou Reed,

Two years ago I was delighted to read the letter you wrote me. I’m glad to notice that you admire what I have done at least half as much as I admire your work. To my disappointment, I was very busy and not able to stop in the United States then; but I will happily inform you that I am scheduled to meet with the current president, Bill Clinton, in the White House to talk about the current state of the Czech Republic and the world. As you may realize, this is a big opportunity for me to extend my ideas of acceptance to others. My life mission is to instill a sense of respect and acceptance of those who are different. Too many people have already been harmed due to their beliefs and I will not let this continue. This is why no members of the oppressive communist regime were put in prison or hurt for their involvement. We are not like them: I will not debase another person to a mere animal to express my idea. We do not need to push others down to express ourselves.

You may find this slightly intimidating, but I want you to join me in the White House one week from now. I’ve already talked to Mr. Clinton about the arrangement. I want you to be able to be unabashedly yourself without feeling like less of a person than the prestigious political figures. You have an impact and I never want you to lose touch with that. I strongly believe that people should be comfortable with who they are and I hope that they won’t judge you either. In the meantime, I also want to hear what Andy Warhol was like in person and what it was like to record ‘The Velvet Underground and Nico’ but that’s a conversation for another day. For now, the world lives in peace and my land is a much better place for artists, one that I would have wished to live in when I was writing.

Currently, I do have some anxieties about the future. Many of my old friends are turning to more conservative and traditional viewpoints, and they are fearful of letting foreigners into the country. The Czech Republic is becoming more homogenous, and I wish it were more like the US where people from lands all over would contribute their ideas for the betterment of society. Somehow I want to show them the great inventions, art, and culture from other nations, like I have seen, so they realize that there is plenty of beauty in this world for us to experience from other countries. We will never experience the full transcendent characteristic of this beauty without incorporating more cultures into everyday life than our own. Having freedom of expression in the theater and everyday life is a start, but it will never create a world where we are fully living in truth. I’m sure you will have something to add, but I’ll save it for a week from now.

See you soon enough,

Václav Havel

September 28, 1998

Dear Mr. Václav Havel,

I wish I had time to tell you not to worry about inviting me to the White House, but I can handle myself in odd places. My life is my art, and that is the only thing that no one can take away from me. I was glad to talk about art across the world, and it’s refreshing to know that the Plastic People of the Universe continue to cover Sweet Jane while they’re in Prague. Art has consequences, so I’m glad that some people use my work, no matter how abrasive it is, to help them believe in themselves. After that night, I feel like I regained my confidence for one of the first times since I left the band. Andy Warhol was a character and I miss him, and it’s curious to see how he holds some of the ideals that you have in your nation. He was simply a boy from Czechoslovakia, but he grew up in Pittsburgh. However, it was interesting to watch him work because he was so ashamed of his Czech heritage. By changing his name from Andrej Warhola to Andy Warhol, he really wanted to be American. He really did what he wanted to do at all times, but wasn’t always truthful to his identity. At times, I wish he incorporated his Czech background more into his artwork; more importantly, I wish I could talk to him again. I hope to keep up this coordinations and maybe someday the East and West can not be so far apart; but, to me, you will always exist exactly at the center of the world.

Best regards,

Lou Reed

Courtesy of Lou Reed’s Blog (http://www.loureed.com/news/vaclav-havel/)

Citation:

Reed, Lou. “VACLAV HAVEL.” Lou Reed. Web. 11 Feb. 2016.

I am beyond saddened at the loss of my dear friend and inspirational leader Pres. Havel. A man’s man. A leader, thinker speaker writer and so brave. And funny and great. This is a terrible loss for this world and certainly for me personally. I will try to remember every last word and mental picture of this great great man who was necessary more than ever in a world gone mad. I would so much have loved to bring him up to date on Occupy. I admired him before all others. A true hero in a world bereft.

Sadly,

Lou Reed