Rothbart, Chernobyl, and our future

September 23, 7:50 PMMadison Green Living ExaminerShelly Rothman

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In his own words.

Michael Forster Rothbart’s photography exhibit at Madison’s Municipal building brings up a touchy subject.  And a worldwide debate.  He wanted to show the hope and endurance of a catastrophe; a noble pursuit which more of us should attempt in life.  However, Chernobyl, his subject, may have these qualities but the human construction behind it, the nuclear power plant, has neither.

In the news of today, world climate change is everywhere and answers to it are being scrambled for.  We know we need to diminish coal use and many believe nuclear power is not only an acceptable option but an ideal one.  They should go see Rothbart’s offering. 

He shows how 23 years after the accident, the area around the plant has 4 times the normal background radiation we are used to.  Stopping for more than a moment is “not recommended”.

He shows how small government pensions are given to survivors but those whose names never made it on the official records get nothing.

He shows a liquidator who had to bury entire villages that were contaminated who has now turned to art to express what’s inside him. 

He shows how the after effects, depression, alcoholism, losing your home, family, community, can be worse than the disaster itself.

Chernobyl, right here in Madison.

Across the hall from the exhibit, assumedly unintentionally, is a mural in tribute to Robert LaFollete, a former Wisconsin governor known for fighting for people’s rights.  His famous quote: “Government must be made more responsible to the people”.  This is very true.  But the people must be more responsible for each other as well.  The only reason we call for these nuclear power plants is because we need the power.  We cannot imagine our lives without it.  We cannot make sacrifices.  Not until they are inevitably made for us be it Chernobyl or climate change.

For those of you who may read this and still feel nuclear power is a viable option please read the official position of the Union of Concerned Scientists.  There is concern for a reason.  And please, pass it on.  If we are going to shift our bottom line, let us shift it to a real solution, not another problem.  Herein lies the hope.