Greater Boston
October 17, 2023
Season 2023 Episode 116 | 28m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
Full Episode: 10/17/23
Full Episode: 10/17/23
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Greater Boston is a local public television program presented by GBH
Greater Boston
October 17, 2023
Season 2023 Episode 116 | 28m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
Full Episode: 10/17/23
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Greater Boston
Greater Boston is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipCRYSTAL: HI, EVERYBODY.
I'’M CRYSTAL HAYNES.
ANTI-ISLAMIC AND ANTI-ISLAMIC ACTS ARE SPAWNING AROUND THE COUNTRY.
I WILL TALK WITH THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE AND THE DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AT ARAB CENTER WASHINGTON, D.C. ABOUT IT.
PLUS THE MBTA WANTS TO ADD A STOP ON THE BLUE LINE TO CONNECT IT TO THE RED LINE.
GBH NEWS TRANSPORTATION REPORTER BOB SEAY WILL JOIN ME WITH MORE.
AND FINALLY, THE LEGACY OF BOB ROSS LIVES ON IN MASSACHUSETTS THROUGH THE STATE'’S ONLY CERTIFIED ROSS INSTRUCT.
AS WAR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS RAGES VIOLENCE AND HATE HAS ESCALATED AT HOME, SHAKING JEWISH AND PALESTINIAN COMMUNITIES IN THE U.S.
IN ILLINOIS, A SIX-YEAR-OLD PALESTINIAN BOY WAS STABBED TO DEATH BY THE LANDLORD OF THE APARTMENT HE WAS LIVING IN.
POLICE BELIEVE IT WAS A HATE CRIME.
ACROSS THE COUNTRY SWASTIKAS HAVE APPEARED IN PROTESTS AND HATE SPEECH AGAINST JEWS AS SOARED ON SOCIAL MEDIA, ADDING TO THE ONGOING FEAR AMONG JEWISH COMMUNITIES ALONG THE COUNTRY WHO AGAIN WERE THE TARGET OF FAR MORE HEIGHT CRIMES LAST YEAR THAN -- MORE HATE CRIMES LAST YEAR THAN ANY OTHER RELIGIOUS GROUP.
JOINING ME TONIGHT WITH MORE ON HOW ALL THIS IS AFFECTING AMERICAN JEWISH AND PALESTINIAN COMMUNITIES, AND HOW THE COUNTRY CAN PUSH BACK, ARE THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE, RABBI JONAH STEINBERG, AND IMAD HARB, THE DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS OF THE ARAB CENTER WASHINGTON, D.C. AND A FORMER PROFESSOR OF MIDDLE EAST STUDIES AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME, GENTLEMEN.
RABBI, I WANT TO START WITH YOU.
WE HAVE SEEN THIS DATA COME OUT OF THE FBI AND ANALYSIS BY THE ADL.
WHEN WE SEE THE DEVASTATING EVENTS LIKE WE SAW A RECENTLY IN GAZA, HOW DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION AND OTHERS SORT OF PREPARE FOR WHAT COULD BE AN UPTICK IN HATE CRIME AND HATE SPEECH?
JONAH: IT CERTAINLY IS, CRYSTAL.
JUST AS WE DON'’T KNOW THE FULL NUMBERS OF CASUALTIES IN ISRAEL AND GAZA, WE DON'’T KNOW WHAT THE CASUALTIES WILL BE ON THIS SIDE OF THE SEA.
LAST YEAR OUR NEW ENGLAND REGION SAW A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN ANTI-SEMITIC INCIDENTS.
IN MASSACHUSETTS FOR INSTANCE WE SAW A 41% INCREASE IN ANTI-SEMITIC INCIDENTS.
THAT'’S 152 INCIDENTS WE TRACKED IN 2022.
BY CONTRAST, TO 1-08 IN THE YEAR PREVIOUS AND 73 THE YEAR PREVIOUS TO THAT.
THIS IS A HORRIFIC TIME FOR THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AND THE PALESTINIAN COMMUNITY.
WE SAW IN OUR AREA A PALESTINIAN CENTER DEFACED IN A VILE INSTANCE OF A HATE CRIME.
AND WE CALLED THAT OUT BECAUSE NOTHING MAKES HATE RIGHT.
CRYSTAL: WHEN YOU HEAR THESE STORIES LIKE THE ONE IN ILLINOIS WE ARE MENTIONING, THE ONE LOCALLY THAT RABBI STEINBERG MENTIONED, IN YOUR EXPERIENCE, IS IT A SCENARIO IN WHICH YOU ARE PLAYING OUT IN YOUR HEAD HOW DO WE REPRESENT THE COMMUNITIES WE REPRESENT AND SERVE, AND HOW DO WE GET EDUCATION OUT FOR FOLKS?
IMAD: WELL, WHAT HAPPENED IN ILLINOIS IS VERY DEVASTATING TO THE FAMILY AND THE POOR CHILD WHO IS DEAD BECAUSE OF FEELINGS OF HATRED AND BASICALLY XENOPHOBIA.
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN GENERAL ARE ALWAYS UNDER ATTACK.
BUT MUSLIMS, JEWS, UNFORTUNATELY THIS HAS BECOME ALMOST A TREND IN AMERICAN SOCIETY.
AND THAT IS TRULY DISAPPOINTING.
AMERICA IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE PLACE WHERE EVERYBODY REALLY ENJOYS THEIR LIFE IN HAPPINESS AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.
THINGS LIKE THIS HAVE A LOT OF POLITICAL CONNOTATIONS AS WELL.
WE NEED TO KNOW HOW TO TALK TO EACH OTHER.
WE NEED TO KNOW HOW TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC.
THE MEDIA IS DEFINITELY VERY RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT REACHES THE PUBLIC.
AND WHAT A RESPONSIBLE MEDIA WOULD PRODUCE A RESPONSIBLE AND KNOWLEDGEABLE AUDIENCE.
ALSO THE AUDIENCE HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LOOKING TO SEE WHAT IS RIGHT AND WHAT IS WRONG.
AND ACT ACCORDINGLY.
CRYSTAL: SPEAKING OF MEDIA COVERAGE, I AM GOING TO ASK YOU BOTH THIS.
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE MEDIA COVERAGE SO FAR AND HOW DO YOU THINK IT IS AFFECTING THE RESPONSE IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES?
RABBI, I WILL START WITH YOU.
JONAH: THE HORRIFIC IMAGES WE ARE SEEING OF SLAUGHTER IN ISRAEL, THE WAY IN WHICH ISRAEL'’S RESPONSE OF COURSE IMPACTS PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT PART OF HAMAS WHO ARE LIVING IN GAZA.
THESE ARE HORRIFIC IMAGES TO SEE.
THAT DOES NOT EXCUSE PEOPLE ACTING OUT OF A PLACE OF VIOLENCE THAT IS PROVOKED BY THOSE IMAGES.
CRYSTAL: DR. HARB?
IMAD: YEAH, WHAT IS REALLY EMERGING IS A VERY UGLY, UGLY PICTURE OF THE HUMAN CONDITION, AT LEASE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE GAZA STRIP.
THIS IS VERY, VERY BAD FOR COEXISTENCE.
IT REALLY REFLECTS BADLY ON HOW HE MANAGE CONFLICT.
THE KILLING OF CIVILIANS SHOULD BE CONDEMNED BY EVERYONE.
WHAT IS GOING ON TODAY IS JUST SIMPLY A CONTINUATION OF HATRED AND IT SHOULD STOP RIGHT AWAY.
CRYSTAL: WHAT IS IT LIKE WATCHING THAT FROM AFAR AND THEN LIVING IN A COMMUNITY THAT MAY NOT UNDERSTAND THOSE TIES, DR. HARB?
IMAD: IT IS VERY DIFFICULT.
YOU WALK OUT YOUR FRONT DOOR AND YOU ARE WONDERING WHETHER SOMEBODY WILL BE ATTACKING YOU VERBALLY OR PHYSICALLY.
UNFORTUNATELY THIS HAPPENED IN SEPTEMBER 11, AFTER THE TERRIBLE EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 11, AND IT CONTINUES NOW.
I THINK POLITICIANS SHOULD ALSO PLAY A PART HERE.
POLITICIANS SOMETIMES USE THESE OCCASIONS TO JUST ADVANCE THEIR INTERESTS.
AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT REALLY SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED.
CRYSTAL: RABBI STEINBERG, I KNOW THAT WE HAVE CERTAINLY HEARD MANY STORIES, MANY JEWISH STORIES OUT OF THE AREA, THE GAZA STRIP AND THAT REGION AT LARGE.
I MEAN, HOW DO FOLKS IN YOUR COMMUNITY MANAGE THAT BEING HERE IN THE U.S.?
JONAH: THERE ARE SO MANY CONNECTIONS BETWEEN JEWISH COMMUNITY AND THE UNITED STATES AND AROUND THE WORLD.
THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AND OTHERS IN ISRAEL, VIA FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP, PEOPLE YOU WENT TO SCHOOL WITH, PEOPLE WHO ARE PROFESSIONAL COLLEAGUES.
SO THE EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN DEGREES OF DISTANCE COLLAPSING BY THE DAY, AND SOMETIMES BY THE MINUTE AS WE REACH OUT TO MAKE CONTACT WITH OUR FRIENDS IN ISRAEL.
AND IN SOME INSTANCES, WITH OUR FRIENDS WHO IDENTIFY AS PALESTINIANS.
CRYSTAL: WE HAVE SEEN PROTESTS IN ARLINGTON, IN BOSTON, ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES, IN NEW YORK CITY AND IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.
FOLKS BOTH WANTING TO ELEVATE VOICES, ELEVATE COMMUNITIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
HOW DO MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS AND ADMINISTRATIONS OF INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE TRYING TO MANAGE A DIALOGUE, OR TRYING TO BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THIS CONVERSATION, WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE -- WHAT ARE THE BEST PRACTICES IN THOSE SPACES?
DR. HARB, I WILL ASK YOU FIRST.
IMAD: THEY DEFINITELY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY OF EDUCATING ABOUT THE REAL FACTS, NOT THE ALTERNATIVE FACTS THAT WERE MENTIONED A FEW YEARS BACK.
ADMINISTRATORS IN UNIVERSITIES AND POLITICIANS, ON THE LOCAL LEVEL, ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL, ON THE STATE LEVEL, EVERYWHERE, SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRYING TO EDUCATE PEOPLE.
WE CANNOT STOP SOMEBODY FROM PROTESTING BECAUSE WE DISAGREE WITH THEIR POINT OF VIEW.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE SHOULD ALWAYS EMPHASIZE THE FACT THAT IT'’S GOOD TO HAVE YOUR POINT OF VIEW, BUT ALSO IT'’S GOOD TO HAVE A RATIONAL POINT OF VIEW.
A POINT OF VIEW THAT REALLY HAS THE FACTS BEHIND IT.
AND DEFINITELY WE HAVE FIRST AMENDMENT CONCERNS.
EVERYBODY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO EXPRESS THEIR POINTS OF VIEW ALSO.
CRYSTAL: RABBI, I WILL ASK YOU THE SAME QUESTION.
JONAH: I AGREE THAT EDUCATION IS VITALLY IMPORTANT.
I AGREE THAT IN THIS COUNTRY FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS A VALUE WE CHERISH.
FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN PEOPLE ABUSE THAT FREEDOM OF SPEECH TO INTIMIDATE OTHERS, NOT EVERY SPEECH ACT IS A HATE CRIME.
BUT WHEN YOU ASK ABOUT THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THEY DO IDENTIFY ACTUAL HATE CRIMES AND PROSECUTE THOSE FULLY.
BECAUSE THAT ALSO CONVEYS A MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT IS TOLERABLE AND WHAT SIMPLY CANNOT BE TOLERATED.
CRYSTAL: DOES THAT STATEMENT NEED TO BE AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE IN MUNICIPALITIES LIKE IN THE TOWN?
DO TOWNS NEED TO COME OUT WITH STATEMENTS LIKE ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS, RABBI?
JONAH: I CAN SAY, IT HAS BEEN HEARTENING TO SEE ELECTED OFFICIALS SHOW UP AT COMMUNITY GATHERINGS AND SPEAK THIS WEEK.
AND OF COURSE ALL OF THEM ARE SPEAKING AGAINST HATE.
I HOPE THEIR WORDS ARE REACHING THE AUDIENCES THAT NEED MOST TO HEAR THEM.
VERY OFTEN IT'’S THE COMMUNITIES IN PAIN GATHERED AROUND TO HEAR THE ELECTED OFFICIALS SPEAK.
WE KNOW ELECTED OFFICIALS TOO HAVE TO THINK IN THEIR ELECTED ROLES HOW ONE EDUCATES AND INFLUENCES COMMUNITY, AND ONE COUNTERS HATE.
CRYSTAL: AND WE HAVE TO HOPE THAT THOSE STATEMENTS ARE NOT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH DR. HARB AND RABBI STEINBERG.
THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.
NEXT UP, SLOW ZONES CONTINUING ALONG SEVERAL LINES OF THE MBTA AND TRACK REPAIRS SHUT DOWN PARTS OF THE RED LINE.
EVEN MORE CONSTRUCTION COULD BE AHEAD ON THE T, IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT.
NOW THE AGENCY IS HOLDING PUBLIC MEETINGS THIS WEEK FOR A PROJECT THAT WOULD CONNECT THE RED LINE AND THE BLUE LINE.
GBH NEWS TRANSPORTATION REPORTER BOB SEAY JOINS ME NOW WITH MORE.
BOB, I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS ARE LIKE, OH NO, MORE CONSTRUCTION.
BOB: WELL, IT IS GOING TO BE A FEW YEARS BEFORE THIS CONSTRUCTION HAPPENS.
BUT THIS IS THE FRAME THE RED/BLUE CONNECTOR.
-- THE FAMED RED/BLUE CONNECTOR.
THERE HAVE BEEN TWO MISSING LINKS IN BOSTON'’S TRANSIT SECTOR.
ONE IS BETWEEN THE NORTH AND SOUTH STATION WHICH WILL TAKE A WHILE TO FIX.
BUT THE RED/BLUE CONNECTOR WHICH IS CONNECTING THE RED AND BLUE LINES HAS BEEN A LONG SOUGHT-AFTER GOAL FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.
AND THIS WEEK WE GOT OUR FIRST LOOK OF WHAT IT MIGHT BE LIKE WHEN THEY FINALLY BUILD IT.
CRYSTAL: WHY IS THIS NEEDED RIGHT NOW?
BOB: IF YOU ARE ON EITHER THE ORANGE OR BLUE LINE, IF YOU ARE TRYING TO GET FROM THE BLUE LINE TO THE RED LINE YOU HAVE TO GO VIA THE GREEN AND ORANGE LINES.
SO THERE IS THIS EXTRA TRANSFER THAT YOU HAVE TO DO AT GOVERNMENT CENTER AND STATE STREET.
AND IT JUST TAKES EXTRA TIME.
IT HAS BEEN KIND OF A HASSLE THAT PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH.
PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS ASKED, WHY HAVEN'’T THOSE TWO MAJOR LINES EVER BEEN CONNECTED.
CRYSTAL: WHAT KIND OF DESTRUCTION ARE WE TALKING ABOUT.
DESTRUCTION, I MEAN DISRUPTION.
[LAUGHTER] I THINK IT WILL DESTROY A LOT OF PEOPLE'’S COMMUTES.
BOB: FIRST OF ALL, THEY DON'’T EXPECTED TO BEGIN FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEARS AND IT WILL TAKE FIVE YEARS TO COMPLETE.
AND IT WILL ACTUALLY BE TRAVELING THROUGH A TUNNEL UNDERNEATH CAMBRIDGE STREET.
FOR ABOUT 2000 FEET BETWEEN BOWDEN STATION AND CHARLES-MGH.
NOW, THEY WILL NOT BE BORING THE TUNNEL UNDERGROUND.
THEY ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING CALLED CUT AND COVER, WHICH IS WHEN THEY EXCAVATE THESE TRENCHES AND PLACE SECTIONS OF THE TUNNEL DOWN IN THERE, THEN COVER IT WITH DIRT AFTERWARD.
THIS IS SUPPOSEDLY A BIT CHEAPER AND A LITTLE EASIER TO DO THAN THE BORING KIND OF THING.
THEY SAY THERE WILL BE TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC ON EITHER SIDE OF CAMBRIDGE STREET DURING THE CONSTRUCTION.
SO THEY ARE NOT ANTICIPATING REALLY MAJOR DISRUPTION, BUT IT CERTAINLY WILL BE SOMETHING TO LOOK AT WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING PAST.
CRYSTAL: IS THERE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE ALREADY THERE, OR ARE THEY JUST DIGGING HOLES?
BOB: NO, THIS WILL BE A WHOLE NEW BIG DIG.
THEY WILL BASICALLY CONNECT UP AT CHARLES-MGH AND MASS GENERAL IS ACTUALLY BUILDING KIND OF ONE OF THE PARTS OF THE STATION SO PEOPLE CAN ACCESS THE HOSPITAL MORE EASILY.
ONE OF THE GOALS OF THIS PROJECT IS REALLY TO PROVIDE PEOPLE WHO LIVE ALONG THE BLUE LINE, ESPECIALLY IN COMMUNITIES LIKE EVERETT, CHELSEA, A WAY TO GET INTO THE MASS GENERAL COMPLEX WHICH THEY DON'’T HAVE RIGHT NOW.
SO IT'’S EXPECTED TO PROVIDE EASIER ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR RESIDENTS OF THOSE COMMUNITIES.
CRYSTAL: HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE AND HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO COST?
BOB: IT IS GOING TO COST A LOT.
LESS NOT THE ESTIMATES THEY GAVE WERE ABOUT $850 MILLION.
$1 BILLION BY THE TIME IT IS ALL DONE.
SO WE'’RE TALKING ABOUT $30 MILLION AS ALREADY BEEN COMMITTED FOR THE DESIGN, BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE A FUNDING SOURCE FOR THE REST OF IT YET, AND THAT IS A BIG QUESTION THAT IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE ANSWERED.
IT WILL HOPEFULLY BEGIN CONSTRUCTION IN 2027, AND PROBABLY BE FINISHED BY 2033.
CRYSTAL: SO, FOLKS HEAR ABOUT BIG DIG, WE KNOW THAT THE BIG DIG TOOK MUCH LONGER THAN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO, AND COST A LOT MORE THAN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO.
IS THERE ANY PLAN IN PLACE TO KEEP THAT IN CHECK THIS TIME?
BOB: WELL, IT IS NOT AS BIG AS THE BIG DIG, SO IT IS A LITTLE MORE UNDER CONTROL.
BUT THAT ALWAYS IS GOING TO HAPPEN.
THOSE INFLATIONARY COSTS.
I THINK THE FUNDING IS GOING TO BE A BIG CONCERN.
BUT AT THE HEARING, IT WAS INTERESTING, THERE ARE VERY FEW MBTA HEARINGS I GO TO WHERE EVERYONE IS ABSOLUTELY, UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE PROJECT.
THERE WAS NO ONE WHO SAID THIS IS A WASTE OR SHOULD NOT BE DONE.
EVERYBODY SPOKE VERY PASSIONATELY ABOUT THE NEED TO HAVE IT.
THERE WERE ABOUT 70 OR 80 PEOPLE AT THE HEARING, SO THAT WAS SIGNIFICANT.
CRYSTAL: I UNDERSTAND BOWDEN STATION IS GOING TO CLOSE?
BOB: YES.
THEY ARE PLANNING TO CLOSE BOWDEN STATION ONCE THE WHOLE PROJECT IS DONE, BECAUSE THEY CAN USE SOME OF THAT STATION BOWDEN STATION OCCUPIES TO STORE SOME TRAINS.
BUT IT WAS INTERESTING, FRED, THE FORMER SAM -- THE FORMER TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY LAMENTED THAT, BECAUSE HE SAID BOWDEN WAS HIS FAVORITE STATION.
HE HATED TO SEE THAT TAKEN DOWN.
BUT HE UNDERSTOOD WHY THEY WOULD DO IT.
CRYSTAL: AND I IMAGINE AS WELL, WHEN A STATION CLOSES, THERE WILL OBVIOUSLY BE ANOTHER OPTION FOR SOME FOLKS WHO MAY BE USING THAT.
BOB: I DON'’T THINK BOWDEN STATION IS GOING TO BE NECESSARY ONCE THIS FINAL LINE IS COMPLETED.
RIGHT NOW THERE IS A CIRCLE WHERE THE TRAINS GO AROUND BOWDEN CIRCLE AND PEOPLE GET OFF AND THEN THE TRAIN CONTINUES ON ITS WAY.
BUT IT A VERY TIGHT CIRCLE, IT CANNOT REALLY HANDLE A LOT OF EQUIPMENT.
IT WAS THOUGHT JUST DO AWAY WITH IT AND HAVE THE STRAIGHT SHOT RIGHT TO CHARLES-MGH.
CRYSTAL: SO FOLKS CAN BE EXCITED BUT THEY WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.
BOB: LIKE A LOT OF THESE THINGS, THEY TAKE TIME.
CRYSTAL: BOB SEAY, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
FINALLY TONIGHT, WHILE AMERICAN ICON BOB ROSS HAS BEEN IMMORTALIZED THROUGH HIS POPULAR PBS SHOW THE JOY OF PAINTING, HIS LEGACY ALSO LIVES ON IN AN ELITE GROUP OF CRI'’S.
THAT'’S CERTIFIED ROSS INSTRUCTORS.
EDGAR HERWICK RECENTLY MET UP WITH THE ONLY CRI IN MASSACHUSETTS FOR A CHAT AND A LESSON.
EDGAR: BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THERE IS SUCH A THING AS A CERTIFIED BOB ROSS INSTRUCTOR, AND THERE IS ONLY ONE OF THEM IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
TODAY WE MEET HER AND FIND OUT WHAT IT'’S LIKE TO LEARN TO PAINT LIKE THE MAN WITH THE HAIR FROM A CERTIFIED MASTER.
IT'’S REAL NOW.
WHAT'’S GOING TO HAPPEN HERE?
>> ALL RIGHT.
I'’M GOING TO WALK YOU THROUGH A PAINTING.
WE'’RE GOING TO DO A LITTLE DEMONSTRATION, MAYBE MAKE SOME HAPPY ACCIDENTS, A LITTLE NORTHERN LIGHTS VIBE.
EDGAR: ALRIGHT, WHAT DO WE NEED?
>> YOU NEED AN APRON, SIR.
EDGAR: ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN.
WHAT?
>> SO IF YOU EVER WATCH BOB ON TV, HE ALWAYS SAID, I'’VE GONE AHEAD AND PREPPED MY CANVAS.
EDGAR: YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.
AND THAT'’S LITERALLY JUST PUTTING THESE LAYERS SO THAT WHEN YOU?
>> THERE'’S COLORS ON THERE ALREADY.
SO NOW THE MAGIC HAPPENS.
I GREW UP WATCHING BOB ON TV, AND HE WAS EVERYTHING WHEN I WAS A KID.
I GOT A BOB ROSS KIT IN SEVENTH GRADE AND I WAS LIKE, YUP THIS IS WHAT I'’M GONNA DO.
I'’M GONNA TEACH ART.
>> MAYBE THERE'’S SOME HAPPY LITTLE TREES LIVE BACK HERE.
>> SQUISH.
SQUISH RIGHT IN.
EDGAR: PUSH IT IN?
>> NOW ROLL THE BRUSH ON YOUR FINGERS BACK AND FORTH AND DRAG UPWARD.
JUST KEEP DRAGGING.
DON'’T STOP.
MORE TWISTY.
GO BACK AND FORTH.
IT WAS CHRISTMAS, IT WAS IN A WHITE BOX, IT HAD PICTURES ON THE BACK AND THERE WAS ONE WITH A COVERED BRIDGE.
AND I WAS LIKE, GREAT, I DON'’T NEED TO OPEN ANYTHING ELSE.
MOVE.
GET THE TABLE EMPTY.
I NEED TO PAINT THIS COVERED BRIDGE RIGHT NOW.
AND THAT WAS LIKE, YEAH, I WAS VERY MUCH LIKE, OK, ART'’S MY THING.
THAT'’S WHAT I'’M GOING TO DO.
I WENT TO ART SCHOOL WITH THE INTENTION OF TEACHING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
SO DID EVERYONE ELSE.
AND THERE WAS LIKE, THIS MANY JOBS IN THE EARLY 2000'S.
SO I HAD A BUNCH OF OTHER JOBS AND THEN I WAS LIKE, I'’M GOING TO OPEN MY OWN STUDIO AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
AMAZING.
YOU KNOW WHAT?
LET'’S CALL THAT COOL.
STEP TWO.
WE'’VE APPLIED PIGMENT.
NOW WE'’RE GOING TO SOFTEN.
SO YOU'’RE GOING TO START HERE.
AND YOU'’RE JUST GOING TO STIR VERY GENTLE LITTLE CIRCLES AND YOU'’RE GOING TO GO ALL THE WAY UP OFF THE CANVAS.
NICE, GOOD, TWO INCH, THREE INCH CIRCLES.
EDGAR: OK. >> I WOULD ACTUALLY COCK YOUR HANDLE UP TOWARDS THE CEILING A LITTLE BIT.
AND YOU WANT TO USE JUST THIS LITTLE FRONT PART.
PERFECT.
THESE NICE LITTLE DARK AREAS, WHEN YOU STEP BACK, YEAH THOSE LITTLE POCKETS OF DARK?
YOU CAN'’T HAVE LIGHT WITHOUT THE DARK.
EDGAR: GOT IT.
>> LET'’S WIPE THIS OFF A LITTLE BIT.
BARELY TOUCHING.
I SEE.
IT'’S GOING TO START TO MOVE SOME OF THAT PAINT.
EDGAR: AS I UNDERSTAND, YOU'’RE THE ONLY CERTIFIED BOB ROSS INSTRUCTOR IN MASSACHUSETTS THAT WE KNOW ABOUT.
IS THAT TRUE?
>> IN MASSACHUSETTS, I'’M THE ONLY.
THE ONLY ONE.
EDGAR: HOW DID IT HAPPEN?
>> MY STUDIO'’S BEEN OPEN FOR 13 YEARS, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, DECIDED THAT I WANTED TO DO BOB ROSS CLASSES AND WE HAD BOB PROJECTED ON A SCREEN AND I WOULD PAUSE BOB AND CO-TEACH WITH BOB.
BOB ROSS COMPANY CALLED ME.
I WAS ACTUALLY REALLY EXCITED BECAUSE I WAS LIKE, OH, BOB ROSS.
AND THEY WERE LIKE, NO, LIKE, CEASE AND DESIST.
OH YES.
TWO HAIRS AND SOME AIR, JUST REAL SOFT.
THAT'’S ACTUALLY A QUITE VIGOROUS TRAINING PROGRAM YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH IN ORDER TO DO THAT.
I WAS LIKE, WELL, THAT'’S CRAZY.
I CAN'’T.
I HAVE A BUSINESS THAT WAS VERY MUCH AT THE TIME A ONE-WOMAN SHOW.
AND THEN LIKE A WEEK LATER, I WAS LIKE, BUT I REALLY LIKE THESE CLASSES, AND PEOPLE REALLY LIKE THEM AND, LIKE, NOBODY'’S DOING THIS.
AND IT'’S REALLY FUN.
AND I'’M LIKE, I KNOW IT'’S A LITTLE CRAZY, BUT IT'’S LIKE JUST A MONTH OF MY WHOLE LIFE, YOU KNOW?
DOES IT FEEL GOOD?
DO YOU FEEL IT?
EDGAR: I DON'’T KNOW WHAT IT FEELS.
IT FEELS SOMETHING.
IT FEELS SOMETHING.
IT FEELS.
I DON'’T KNOW.
>> SO REAL GENTLE.
JUST SOFTEN THIS OVER HERE.
LITTLE CIRCLES.
TWO HAIRS AND SOME AIR.
AND YOU PAINT EIGHT HOURS A DAY ALL DAY.
MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
WE PAINTED A FULL BOB ROSS PAINTING EVERY DAY.
WE LIKE WAY SLOWED IT DOWN TO, LIKE, REALLY BREAK DOWN THE TECHNIQUES THEMSELVES.
AND PUSH IN REAL FIRM BEFORE YOU STEAL.
AND YOU CAN LET IT DRAG ALL THE WAY.
GO RIGHT TO THE BOTTOM.
THERE YOU GO.
TRY AND KEEP YOUR FINGERS OFF THE BRISTLES.
OTHERWISE YOU'’RE GOING TO SKEW THE SHAPE OF THE BRUSH.
EDGAR: I GOT IT.
>> I THINK WE DID, LIKE, 30 PAINTINGS WHILE I WAS THERE, SO IT WAS JUST PAINT, PAINT, PAINT, PAINT, PAINT.
EDGAR: GOT SOME BRIGHT SPOTS, BUT THAT'’S OK. THAT'’S OK. >> WELL IT SHOULD.
I MEAN, WATER IS MOVING, RIGHT?
YOU ABSOLUTELY GET BETTER AT IT, THOUGH.
YOU KNOW, THE TREES GET EASIER EVERY TIME.
THE MOUNTAINS GET EASIER EVERY TIME.
WELL IT'’S KIND OF LIKE ALMOST LIKE TRICK PAINTING.
IT'’S VERY LITTLE, SIMPLE TECHNIQUES AND MOTIONS THAT WHEN BUILT UP TOGETHER, YOU'’RE LIKE, OH, NO KIDDING, LOOK WHAT I JUST MADE.
AND THAT'’S EXCITING.
NOW YOU'’RE JUST IN THE ZONE.
YOU'’RE JUST PAINTING TO PAINT.
EDGAR: IT'’S WEIRDLY, IT IS LIKE, WEIRDLY, LIKE, CALMING, RIGHT?
ALL OF A SUDDEN I'’M JUST LIKE, YEAH, HERE I AM.
>> THAT'’S GREAT.
AND WHEN YOU'’RE IN THAT SPOT WHERE YOU'’RE NOT SURE, STOP.
STEP BACK AND CHECK IT OUT.
EDGAR: OK, I'’M GONNA DO THIS.
>> PERFECT.
EDGAR: YEAH, I'’M FEELING GOOD ABOUT THIS.
WHAT ARE THE PRIVILEGES THAT COME WITH CERTIFICATION?
>> I GOT A BADGE.
EDGAR: YOU HAVE A BADGE?
>> I DO.
AND THEN, YOU KNOW, I CAN NOW SAY, LIKE, I'’M TEACHING LEGIT CLASSES WITH BOB ROSS'’S NAME.
LIKE, THIS IS THE BOB ROSS EXPERIENCE THAT YOU'’RE GETTING HERE, THAT YOU CAN COME PAINT LIKE BOB ROSS IN ONE DAY.
EDGAR: OK, NOW WHAT?
IS IT DONE?
>> BRAVERY TEST?
SO, LET'’S ADD A BIG OLD TREE.
EDGAR: WHAT?
>> I'’M GOING TO DO ONE, YOU'’RE GOING TO DO ONE.
EDGAR: WE'’RE GOING TO MAKE HAPPY TREES?
>> A HAPPY ONE.
NOT A MELANCHOLY, ONLY HAPPY.
EDGAR: WE'’RE MAKING HAPPY TREES.
>> IT'’S HAPPENING.
EDGAR: THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE.
>> ALL RIGHT.
SO WE'’RE GOING TO USE SOME BLACK PAINT.
HOLDING MY HANDLE UP, I'’M GOING USE THE FRONT MOHAWK EDGE.
EDGAR: BOOM.
>> WE'’RE PRETENDING THAT'’S A TRUNK.
WE DON'’T ACTUALLY WANT IT TO BE A TRUNK.
IT'’S JUST A GUIDE.
SO WE KNOW HALF OUR TREE LIVES TO THE LEFT, AND HALF OF IT LIVES TO THE RIGHT.
I'’M GOING TO LOAD OFTEN.
I'’M GOING TO HOLD MY HANDLE DOWN AND OUT TO THE SIDE.
EDGAR: YEAH, I SEE.
>> EVERYTHING WE DO FOR THE TREE IS A STAMP.
WE'’RE NOT BRUSHING A WALL.
WE'’RE JUST STAMPING.
STAMP ONE.
EDGAR: STAMP.
GOT IT.
>> AS WE GET WIDER, WE STAMP TO THE RIGHT.
WE STAMP TO THE LEFT.
IT'’S BEEN FUN.
I LOVE IT.
AND I GET TO DO WHAT I LOVE EVERY DAY.
AND YOU KNOW, I'’M NEVER LIKE, MAN, I HAVE TO GO PAINT WITH PEOPLE TODAY.
WHAT A BUMMER.
SO, IT'’S GOOD.
IT'’S FUN.
IT'’S A FUN JOB.
I DO KIND OF FEEL, YOU KNOW, WITH GREAT -- MY BADGE COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY.
EDGAR: LOOKS JUST LIKE HOW IT LOOKS ON TV WITH BOB ROSS, IT'’S HAPPENING.
>> I THINK YOU CAN DO IT.
LET'’S LOAD IT.
EDGAR: I HAVE NO IDEA WHY YOU THINK I CAN DO THIS, BUT.
>> I HAVE FAITH.
LET GRAVITY DO THE JOB.
DRAG IT STRAIGHT DOWN AND JUST TOUCH.
NOW, PICK IT UP.
KEEP YOUR HANDLE OF YOUR BRUSH THE SAME WAY THE WHOLE TIME.
I'’M JUST STAMPING BACK AND FORTH LIKE A ZIGZAG AND JUST TOUCH RIGHT ACROSS.
SO STAMP, STAMP, STAMP TO THE RIGHT.
NOW STAMP, STAMP, STAMP TO THE LEFT.
STAMP TO THE RIGHT, STAMP TO THE LEFT.
STAMP TO THE RIGHT, STAMP TO THE LEFT.
NOW STOP.
WHEN YOU'’RE AS WIDE AS THIS YOU CAN ROTATE YOUR BRUSH.
AND NOW YOU'’RE JUST GOING TO USE THE WHOLE FRONT.
EDGAR: AH.
I SEE.
>> WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT COME FROM ALL OVER.
I GET KIDS THAT COME IN HERE SOMETIMES LIKE LITTLE, LITTLE, LITTLE KIDS THREE OR FOUR YEARS OLD.
AND THEY'’RE LIKE, ARE THOSE BOB ROSS'’ PAINTINGS ON THE WALL?
OR THEY'’LL SEE, YOU KNOW, MY BOB ROSS CUT OUT AND THEY'’LL BE LIKE, MOM, BOB ROSS.
I THINK THAT THE NAME OF THE SHOW SUMMED IT UP.
LIKE, THE JOY OF PAINTING.
LIKE, PAINTING JUST SHOULDN'’T BE FOR A FEW PEOPLE.
AND IT'’S NOT THIS ELITIST ACTIVITY.
NOW, IS EVERYONE GOOD AT IT?
NO.
IS EVERYONE GOING TO MAKE A MASTERPIECE FOR A MUSEUM?
NO.
BUT SHOULD YOU GET TO TRY IT AND HAVE SOMETHING THAT'’S FUN, RELAXING, CALMING?
YOU CAN DO IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS.
YOU CAN DO IT WITH FAMILY AND HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE AND TRY SOMETHING NEW.
EVEN THE MASTERS HAD TO BE NEW AT SOME POINT.
SO I THINK THAT IT'’S COOL TO HAVE PEOPLE COME IN AND SAY, NO, NO, NO, I CAN'’T.
I CAN'’T POSSIBLY DO THIS.
AND THEN THEY'’RE LIKE, I JUST DID THAT.
IT'’S FUN AND IT SHOULD BE FUN.
THAT IS AWESOME.
I LOVE IT.
EDGAR: IT'’S A LITTLE FULLER THAN YOUR TREE.
>> THAT'’S ALL RIGHT.
TREES, MUCH LIKE PEOPLE, ARE ALL DIFFERENT.
LET'’S THROW A QUICK HIGHLIGHT ON THIS TREE.
I'’M GOING TO DO MINE.
YOU'’RE GOING TO DO YOURS.
EDGAR: SURE, IF YOU SAY SO.
>> DO YOU WANT LIGHT BLUE, LIGHT GREEN OR PINK HIGHLIGHT?
EDGAR: LIGHT GREEN, RIGHT?
>> ALL RIGHT.
SO GO AHEAD AND THROW SOME WHITE IN THERE.
BOTH SIDES.
FRONT AND BACK.
AND STEAL SOME GREEN THERE.
WE'’RE GOING TO DO THE EXACT SAME THING WE DID.
EDGAR: BUT WITH A BRIGHTER COLOR SO IT'’S GONNA BE MUCH MORE VISIBLE.
>> JUST GENTLE, BARELY, LOOK AT HOW I'’M BARELY TOUCHING.
AND WE'’RE GOING TO KIND OF RIGHT-ALIGN THIS.
SO WE'’RE STAYING MOSTLY TO THE RIGHT.
EDGAR: BECAUSE THAT'’S WHERE THE LIGHT, IN THEORY, IS COMING FROM, RIGHT?
>> SURE.
OR IF YOU WANT TO DO THE LEFT, WE CAN MEET IN THE MIDDLE.
BECAUSE, IF WE'’RE GETTING FANCY, OUR LIGHT SOURCE IS HERE.
EDGAR: YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, TOTALLY.
>> SO I'’M GONNA DO THE LEFT.
AND NOW WHEN I SAY MOSTLY LEFT I DON'’T MEAN STOP ABRUPTLY AT DEAD CENTER.
AND JUST BARELY, BARELY TOUCHING.
AND YOU COULD DO THIS IN DIFFERENT COLORS.
YOU'’RE GOING TO DO MORE OF THE PHTHALO GREEN.
EDGAR: THAT WAS A LITTLE HEAVY.
>> THAT'’S ALL RIGHT.
THAT CAN COME RIGHT OFF.
AND NOW ONCE YOU'’RE AS WIDE AS YOU WANT AS THE BRUSH ROTATE FORWARD.
AND JUST STAMPING.
NO BRUSHING AT ALL.
JUST STAMPING.
GOOD.
DON'’T BE AFRAID TO GO A LITTLE RIGHT OF CENTER.
THAT LOOKS AMAZING.
NICE TEXTURE.
THAT LOOKS AWESOME.
NAILED IT.
THAT IS A HAPPY TREE.
EDGAR: DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BOB ROSS SAYING?
HE'’S GOT ALL THOSE LITTLE CATCHPHRASES.
>> LET'’S GET CRAZY.
I'’M NOT REALLY.
I'’M NOT -- I DON'’T DO SUBTLE OR CALM, REALLY.
SO, LIKE, LET'’S GET A LITTLE CRAZY.
LET'’S MAKE SOME CHOICES.
YOU WANT ME TO THROW A MOUNTAIN IN REAL QUICK?
I THINK I PROBABLY SAY HAPPY ACCIDENTS MORE THAN I SHOULD.
SO I GUESS THAT ONE TOO, ABOUT JUST LIFE IN GENERAL.
IT'’S GOOD, SOLID LIFE ADVICE.
SO YEAH, THOSE TWO.
GET A LITTLE CRAZY THOUGH.
EDGAR: IT'’S LIKE MAGIC.
>> HAPPY TREES AND SOME MOUNTAINS.
EDGAR: WOW.
>> I THINK WE SHOULD GIVE YOU ONE MORE QUICK BUSH LESSON.
REAL FAST YOU'’RE GONNA MAKE A SNOWY BUSH IN THE CORNER.
ALL RIGHT, SO JUST STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN WITH YOUR HANDLE.
RIGHT AT THE BOTTOM HERE.
JUST MAKE A LITTLE BUSH.
SO JUST STAMP.
NOW GO DOWN A LITTLE BIT, SAVE SOME OF THAT DARK SO IT LOOKS LIKE THAT BUSH IS BEHIND THE OTHER ONE.
YOU SHOULD STAMP ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE FOREGROUND THERE, SKIP OUR TREES AND YOU DO ALL THE WAY ACROSS.
EDGAR: HERE WE GO.
>> ALL RIGHT.
AND THEN THE DETAILS THAT OPEN YOUR ETSY SHOP TOMORROW.
YOU READY FOR IT?
EDGAR: YEAH.
>> HOLD THIS BRUSH USING JUST THIS LITTLE SKINNY EDGE RIGHT HERE, YOU'’RE GOING TO PLACE IT IN THE BUSH AND JUST GENTLY DRIVE IT UP AND YOU'’RE GOING TO DRAW SOME LITTLE STICKS WITH THE PAINT THAT YOU'’RE STEALING FROM THE BUSHES.
EDGAR: SO, LIKE, HERE?
>> YEP.
JUST PLACE IT DOWN AND GENTLY JUST SLIDE THAT WHOLE LITTLE EDGE UP.
THERE YOU GO.
SEE THESE LITTLE STICKS THAT ARE COMING UP?
MAKES THEM GO THAT WAY, SOME GO THAT WAY AND DRIVE A FEW LITTLE STICKS COMING OUT.
BOOM.
SKIP A SPACE, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE AND THROW A FEW MORE.
EDGAR: I SEE.
>> THE RING.
THE RING.
SAVED BY THE BELL RIGHT THERE, SIR.
I FEEL THAT'’S WHAT WE NEED TO DO.
THIS MAKES IT OFFICIAL.
HIGH FIVE.
BOOM.
CHEERS.
EDGAR: A CURIOUS WINTER BY EDGAR B. HERWICK III.
>> THIS IS AMAZING.
EDGAR: THE JOY OF PAINTING.
I AM EDGAR B. HERWICK III.
YOU STAY CURIOUS.
CRYSTAL: THAT DOES IT FOR TONIGHT BUT COME BACK TOMORROW.
I AM CRYSTAL HAYNES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.
GOOD NIGHT.
♪
- News and Public Affairs
Top journalists deliver compelling original analysis of the hour's headlines.
- News and Public Affairs
FRONTLINE is investigative journalism that questions, explains and changes our world.
Support for PBS provided by:
Greater Boston is a local public television program presented by GBH