Noozhawk reported that Cass Ensberg, a longtime Santa Barbara resident and architect, recently drew parallels between the themes of George Orwell's allegorical novel *Animal Farm* and the landscape of local politics. Ensberg's observations followed a theatrical presentation of *Animal Farm*, staged through a collaboration between HappySad Theatre Company and Santa Barbara High School. She highlighted how the production sharply focused on animal characters becoming 'more equal than others,' a concept that, in her view, mirrors local dynamics where good intentions can be entirely lost, leading to unintended and regrettable outcomes.
Ensberg emphasized the importance of learning from such cautionary tales, noting that similar instances of 'losing our way' are evident both locally and globally. She posed the question of whether the community should passively accept these patterns or actively seek solutions by fostering better mutual understanding and collaboration for collective benefit.
Applying these insights to Santa Barbara, Ensberg contended that some elected officials have demonstrated a tendency to make inflexible, politically motivated decisions. These choices, she suggested, often come at the expense of finding a middle ground that could serve the broader community. She observed that, much like the characters in *Animal Farm*, these officials have, over time, crafted and adjusted narratives to align with subjective beliefs. In doing so, Ensberg noted, they have failed to recognize how resolution and agreement could have been achieved through greater inclusion, clarity, and a willingness to compromise.
For Ensberg, the path to a solution is not inherently difficult but demands a conscious effort to pause, adjust, and assume responsibility—not exclusively for positive actions, but equally for mistakes. She underscored that errors are a universal part of human experience. Furthermore, she critiqued certain candidates currently running for high office in Santa Barbara, stating that they often present themselves as flawless. This, she observed, is achieved by overstating their positive contributions, claiming full credit even when contributions were minimal or shared, and deflecting blame onto others for any missteps or errors.
Ensberg advocated for leaders who serve as mentors, upholding the highest standards of conduct. She suggested that a measure of humility would be beneficial for those in positions of power or aspiring to them. For her, true leaders embody honesty, compassion, and wisdom. She urged voters, before casting their ballots, to thoroughly examine candidates. The goal, she explained, is to identify those individuals who have demonstrated responsible financial decision-making, fostered inclusivity by listening to the entire community, and actively sought compromises with others on the Santa Barbara City Council to benefit everyone.
Architect Cass Ensberg is a principal at Ensberg Jacobs Design and has deep roots in Santa Barbara. She serves on the Historic Landmarks Commission, has contributed to the city's Arts Advisory Committee, and is the founder and co-administrator of the Kids Draw Architecture Program for the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara.