Stuff like this.
So, things are pretty wack-ass ridiculous right now, huh?
What do we do? How do we combat this feeling of helplessness? In the face of insanity, hatred, stupidity, cruelty and shameless greed, how do we move on without shivering in fear or losing our proverbial shit on a daily basis?
We do. That’s it.
We do what we can when we can. It sounds simple because it is. This too shall pass. We have endured a lot and you must understand that with any progressive shift comes a backlash. We have ebbs and flows. It is part of how humanity works. Don’t mistake all of this darkness for regression. It’s closer to a temper tantrum than a trip down a scary path. Let’s show some goddamned backbone and resist like all the signs say.
I would also like to address the artists out there. I call myself a writer and I’m happy that I’m getting better at it. My job is to keep writing. Painters paint and musicians record and perform. Why is this important? Art can influence but it accomplished this through making connections. You and I have an ever so slight connection right now. As you read this. You could hate it or love or be indifferent, be we have made a connection. In a time like this, when we argue over matters for which we have almost no control, the only thing left is each other.
If you make art, your ass better be working. We need to communicate on levels outside of just politics and social reform. We need books and movies, we need sculpture and street art and music and handmade cuisine. We are the keepers of beauty in this world. We create those things that people look to when they need a reminder of what getting out of bed every morning is really for.
Why? Because, despite what journalists may think, art is how ideas are communicated. The news reports the facts, which is important. But art transforms. Do you think the progress made in gay rights in the last ten years had to do with marches and blustery speeches or Will and Grace? I’m willing to bet that sitcom did more than any opinion column or piece of legislation. Every racist hunk of trash out there has a song on his Spotify playlist that traces back to American black culture. If not, his diet does. Do we even realize how intertwined American cuisine is with the American experience, and therefore is a product of countless cultures? Get Out was an important movie a social statement, but the future Black Panther superhero movie could be just as important.
We’re all so tired of bullshit and lies and feigned ignorance. We want the truth. Where does the truth come from? Well...us. Tell the truth through your art.
This is all a ‘first day of school’ type of lesson, but maybe we need a refresher. This is when we are needed. This is how we hold hands and try to make sense of everything. This is how we combat fear. It’s not just a distraction. It’s a safe place to reflect. It’s a playground. It’s also how new ideas are born. Maybe it will ignite a renaissance. The art of resistance and fear, and remind the world how important it is to go through this awkward and dumb life together instead of apart.
If you’re not the creative type, or this sounds like a bunch of hippie nonsense, do what you do. Talk to people. Engage. Talking isn’t fighting, just like talking is the opposite of war. Be heard and listen to others. We can’t all change the world but we can make our own worlds a little less shitty.
