Eve Ewing published strong support for art against the Trumpocalypse in today’s New York Times.
“Artists play a distinctive role in challenging authoritarianism. Art creates pathways for subversion, for political understanding and solidarity among coalition builders. Art teaches us that lives other than our own have value.”
“Trumpence Bannon’s attack on the arts isn’t about making America a drab and miserable place, nor is it about a belief in austerity or denying resources to communities in need. Much like the disappearance of data from government websites and the exclusion of critical reporters from White House briefings, this move signals something broader and more threatening than the inability of one group of people to do their work. It’s about control. It’s about creating a society where propaganda reigns and dissent is silenced.”
Most artists will never be famous to any significant degree. Fewer of us will be rich. My books can easily fall into both these categories. But all of us who push against the status quo are fighting against Trumpence Bannon and what it stands for. Music, film, comedy, fiction and every form of expression can be an aid and a comfort in these strange times.
Resist and Persist.
