Writing OUR Story.
I’ve been getting ready for the Protest Sign Work Party at SOHO20 on Tuesday, as well as my submission to 100 Days Action. As I’ve brainstormed messages and actions I’d like to see in the world, I’ve been thinking about these wise words from Just Seeds:
The more we represent [Trump]—no matter in what light—the more we re-inscribe him with power. Instead, focus on graphics that support the social movements that existed before Trump and will be fighting to exist after he is long gone.
This is from their Inaugurating Resistance call for graphics. Their statement of principles is worth sharing:
It is enticing to want to use his image to belittle him, but no matter how successful we are at doing that, ultimately we’re still left with another picture of him. This sets him up as the center of our visual dialog, and makes it even harder to imagine our world without his toxic presence. This is even true—if to a lesser extent—when we play off and reproduce catch phrases and language.
We existed before him, and we are fighting to exist after he is gone. We need to create a graphic front of refusal. Those of us with the skills and resources to design and produce it have a responsibility to do so. We have a responsibility to force into the public consciousness the things we WANT. … We have to fight the incoming administration and their agenda, but not at the expense of the power we were already building. We will only stop the machine when our movements get stronger.
…we want—and need—to focus on building people’s power.
I’m trying to extend this thinking to how I focus my attention and efforts.
Bad news is available daily in unlimited quantities. I’ve been thinking about it as a river current; pervasive negativity will carry you downstream if you let it. Sometimes you have to swim to stay in the same place. What is the counteraction? How do you preserve psychological wellbeing?
I am trying to craft my own news feed, and inundate it with the individuals and organizations building people power with resolve and exuberance. It’s like making a daily mood board and the mood is “F*** YEAH.” (Insisting on optimism is challenging for some; I think it’s worth remembering that the human mind is over-attuned to the negative, so intentionally focusing on the positive is a movement towards balance.)
Here’s what I’d put on my “F*** YEAH” board:
The Amplifier Foundation-supported posters for the Women’s March
Stephanie Syjuco’s Reap What You Sew banners
Writers organizing: WritersResist.org
Theatre folk organizing: Action 1/19 at 5:30 pm in front of theaters across the US. TheGhostlightProject.com (At first glance it looks like a selfie meme but the action kit is a well-thought-out how to intended to kick off further organization.)
Queens Museum’s Sign of the Times event: The museum is closing for ArtStrike on 1/20 but open for poster-making. Lots of partners involved. Taking a stand, holding space, and forging alliances… Fantastic.
R+D 