“Rule of Thumb: Be Kind”
June 3, 2024
Welcome to an art concept about the power of kindness. I felt inspired after meeting a stranger who quickly became a new friend who was very supportive of my artwork, it gave me idea for the title, “Rule of Thumb: Be Kind.” The idea started as a sketch, evolved into an acrylic painting and then was finalized as a graphic design. I chose purple as the background color to symbolize support to end domestic violence. As I continued to develop this idea, I wanted to use my artwork to promote positive change and initiate meaningful conversations.
I decided to start a fundraiser for CASA (the certified domestic violence center serving Pinellas County) and collected donations during the month of May as a way to give back to the community in honor of mental health awareness month. We are the change that we want to see, and it is remarkable the power of a small act of kindness can create. Thank you again to Bonsai Beverage Co for helping collect donations and raise awareness about this art project! Bonsai Beverage Co has become a vibrant part of Pinellas county as a local coffee shop that hosts many events throughout the month since opening in 2023. If you have not checked them out already, they are worth the visit! Delicious beverages, a cozy atmosphere and a community that cares awaits!
Together we packed the car full of donations which consisted of large boxes filled with personal care items, household items, food, kid’s toys and used clothes. I was in awe of the kindness shared through this project, I can not thank everyone enough for your help with this initiative. In one month, there were over 342 new items that were donated, plus 3 large boxes of used clothes that will be resold in CASA’s thrift boutique. There were over 35 toothbrushes collected, 35 cans of food, 39 bar soaps, 20 kids toys, and more!!!
While researching this concept when developing the design, I discovered that the common phrase “rule of thumb” has quite the controversial origin story dating back to 17th century. It is alleged that a British Judge considered it to be an unspoken law that men were allowed to beat their wives as long as the stick was not larger than their thumb, however there is little evidence to support these claims (Fraga, 2023). Later on in the 1980s it became rebranded to help raise awareness to end domestic violence and promote gender equity, especially through the report “Under the Rule of Thumb” by the United States Commission on Civil Rights (1982). Despite the phrase being associated along with the end domestic violence movement, there is little evidence to support this origin story (Martin, 2023). I am grateful to be reminded of the progress that has been made towards women’s rights but let’s continue to strive for gender equality.
Thank you for your support during this project, I am inspired by the power of community and forever grateful for the kindness shared.
If you or someone you know is in need of support, contact a Domestic Violence hotline:
-Pinellas County 24hr Hotline (CASA): #(727)-895-4912
-FL Domestic Hotline: #(800)-500-1119
-National Hotline: #(800)-799-7233
By: Kiley Carlin
Sources:
Fraga, Kaleena. “The Murky Origins Of ‘Rule Of Thumb’ And Why It’s Been Erroneously Associated With Domestic Abuse.” AllThatsInteresting.com, August 26, 2023, https://allthatsinteresting.com/rule-of-thumb-origin. Accessed June 3, 2024.
Martin, Gary. “Rule of Thumb - Meaning & Origin of the Phrase.” Phrase Finder, 20 Dec. 2023, www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/rule-of-thumb.html.
United States Commission on Civil Rights. (January 1982). Under the Rule of Thumb Battered Women and the Administration of Justice. Retrieved from, https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/confrontingviolence/assets/transcripts/OB12012_200_dpi.pdf. Accessed June 3, 2024.