Interpretations of greatness

The Artdog Quote(s) of the Week

One of the recurring themes in white supremacist rhetoric (of which we've heard far too much since the start of the Trump Administration) is that white people are somehow "superior" to other races.

Presumably, that would extend to the depth of their thoughts. I wondered if it might be interesting to compare observations written by leaders of the Confederate States of America with the thoughts of people who had experience on the "receiving end" of slavery.*

I'll leave it to you, to determine whose thoughts resonate with the greater depth.

IMAGES: The "In their own words" graphic is my own design. I found the quote in a Huffington Post article, "The Civil War was about Slavery." Many thanks to AZ Quotes, for the quote-image from Marcus Garvey.

*Please note that Marcus Garvey, who was born in 1887 in Jamaica, did not directly experience slavery. However, he dealt with its after-effects in the Jim Crow South and throughout his life's work--as do all too many people still today.

The effects of slavery

The Artdog Quote(s) of the Week

One of the recurring themes in white supremacist rhetoric (of which we've heard far too much since the start of the Trump Administration) is that white people are somehow "superior" to other races.

Presumably, that would extend to the depth of their thoughts. I wondered if it might be interesting to compare observations written by leaders of the Confederate States of America with the thoughts of people who had experience on the "receiving end" of slavery.

Bonus quote: I couldn't resist.

I'll leave it to you, to determine whose thoughts resonate with the greater depth.

IMAGES: The "In their own words" graphic is my own design. I found the quote in a Huffington Post article, "The Civil War was about Slavery." Many thanks to AZ Quotes for the Quote-image from Frederick Douglass, and to Signature's article (found via Pinterest), "Nat Turner Remembered: 12 Author Quotes on Slavery," for the quote-image from Booker T. Washington.

Of morality and dreams

The Artdog Quotes of the Week

One of the recurring themes in white supremacist rhetoric (of which we've heard far too much since the start of the Trump Administration) is that white people are somehow "superior" to other races.

Presumably, that would extend to the depth of their thoughts. I wondered if it might be interesting to compare observations written by leaders of the Confederate States of America with the thoughts of people who had experience on the "receiving end" of slavery.

I'll leave it to you, to determine whose thoughts resonate with the greater depth.


IMAGES: The "In their own words" graphic is my own design. I found the quote in a Medium article, "Five Myths About Robert E. Lee." Many thanks to AZ Quotes for the Harriet Tubman quote-image.

Is justice colorblind?

The Artdog Image of Interest

Normally, it's not a good thing to be "colorblind" where race is concerned. That can make it too easy to pass over injustices and put-downs (both "microaggressions" and the more macro sort).

But, as with so-called "blind auditions," sometimes it's only justice, if it IS colorblind, so everyone is treated equally.

IMAGE: Many thanks to Duke University and Tamberly Ferguson, via the A2L website, for today's infographic.

Subordination v. Freedom

The Artdog Quotes of the Week

One of the recurring themes in white supremacist rhetoric (of which we've heard far too much since the start of the Trump Administration) is that white people are somehow "superior" to other races.

Presumably, that would extend to the depth of their thoughts. I wondered if it might be interesting to compare observations written by leaders of the Confederate States of America with the thoughts of people who had experience on the "receiving end" of slavery.

I'll leave it to you, to determine whose thoughts resonate with the greater depth.


IMAGES: The "In their own words" graphic is my own design. I found the quote in a Huffington Post article, "The Civil War was about Slavery." Many thanks to AZ Quotes for the quote-image featuring the words of Jean-Jacques Dessalines.

Making progress . . .

The Artdog Image of Interest

Have we made progress? Some. Could we improve more? Undoubtedly.

From Visually.

In matters of equity and social justice, no picture is ever static, and progress is always relative. This infographic was created in 2014, so the data is already 5 years old or older. But this is a moderately recent snapshot of where we stand.

I normally celebrate February as "Social Justice February" in a nod to Black History Month. But remember that--as with feminism--greater social justice makes the world a better place for ALL of us.

IMAGE: Many thanks to Visually and the team of Noureen Saira, designer, and Elliott Smith, writer, via University of Phoenix, for this infographic "snapshot."

Does it affect you?

The Artdog Quote of the Week 

Have you been affected by recent events? What would Ben do?

IMAGE: Many thanks, again this week, to Time4Change, this time via the Pinterest "Social Justice Quotes" pinboard, for this illustrated quote from Benjamin Franklin.

The 'medicinal art' of Ricardo Levins Morales

I've been wanting to round out my mid-week "Social Justice February" posts with art--and I've found the perfect "poster man" for the topic. He is Ricardo Levins Morales. You may find that you recognize his work, but even if you don't I hope you enjoy it.

Trayvon Martin-Ella Baker
I had seen this image before, but never knew who the artist was. 

Posters have a long history in art. They haven't always been appreciated for the art form they are, of course--Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, for example was scorned by other artists for his commercialism when he created what are now considered iconic images. And Alphonse Mucha tried to distance himself, later in life, from the Art Nouveau style he helped create with his marvelous posters.

Budget Priorities speaks to the school-to-prison pipeline.

Ricardo Levins Morales, by contrast, has embraced the art of the poster-style image in his own unique way. The artist/activist has turned it into what he calls "medicinal art." What does that mean?

History's Perspective offers hope in an unjust world.

"when I work with any community I start with a diagnosis," he explains in his online biography. "I ask what it is that keeps this group of people from knowing their power and acting on it. Not what has been done to them but wounds, fears or ways of thought keep folks immobilized."

We Are the Mainstream

His work embraces social justice, the environment, empowerment for a variety of minority groups, and labor issues. I've collected a "mini-gallery" of some of my favorites here, but you can see many, many more wonderful pieces at his Ricardo Levins Morales Art Studio website.

Environmental Justice

IMAGES: Many thanks to the Ricardo Levins Morales Art Studio for all of the images shown in this post. I've linked each back to a page where you can purchase the image if you wish. Many are available in at least two formats.

What is evil?

The Artdog Quote of the Week 

When better to speak than now?

IMAGE: Many thanks to the Time4Change Facebook page, for this illustrated quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Feeling powerless?

The Artdog Quote of the Week: 

It is always appropriate to speak up, when we see a wrong. It may be hard or inconvenient, but the alternative is far, far worse.

IMAGE: Many thanks to Rescue Her (a group dedicated to fighting human trafficking) for this quote from Elie Weisel.

The beginning of the end?

The Artdog Quote of the Week 
As true today as the day he said it:

For the second year in a row, I plan to observe February with a special focus on social justice. In my opinion, these are more important principles than ever.

IMAGE: Many thanks to the "Social Justice Quotes" Pinterest pinboard for this quote from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Who is at our mercy? The Artdog Quote of the Week

Here is a fundamental precept of justice, extended to nonhumans. How do we treat those at our mercy--the helpless children or animals over whose lives we have power?

This image was created by vegans, and it speaks to the ethics of meat production. But I am a Kansan, so I've also unfortunately seen this principle in operation with humans who are disadvantaged (Sadly, you don't have to live in "Brownbackistan" to see it).

When generational poverty is somehow perceived to be the sufferer's "fault," there is a fundamental disconnect that discounts experience, culture, and socialization. When the abused "asked for it," when the mentally ill are somehow "lesser" beings--that is where our ethics are found to be in eclipse.

When those who suffer are "other," then who or what are we?

IMAGE: Many thanks to the Fluff2BuffMom blog.

Can it be Destroyed? An Artdog Image of Interest

A truth we sometimes overlook:

Truth. Can you be part of the truth-seeking?

IMAGE: Many thanks to the "Social Justice" Pinterest Board. 

Artdog Quote of the Week: Stand Up

Social Justice February continues with a timely quote about having the courage:

It's really hard to do, sometimes. Stay strong.

IMAGE: Many thanks to the "Social Justice Quotes" Pinterest Board. 

Artdog Image of Interest: Dignity and Justice

All of us? How do we understand this idea?

Is this truly an ideal we extend to everyone? Alas, most of us do have an "other" category, who exist beyond redemption. How far are we willing extend our mercy?

IMAGE: Many thanks to the "Social Justice" Pinterest Board.

Artdog Quote of the Week: ALL Humans

Social Justice February continues. And this week, we're on time. :-)

Race, politics, and wealth disparity are three American weaknesses. Overcoming them--building bridges, seeing the positive value of diversity, and celebrating our differences--will make us stronger.

IMAGE: Many thanks to Instagram, via the "Justice" Pinterest Board.

Artdog Image of Interest: Perception

How do you perceive others? Are first impressions colored by unconscious stereotypes, or tempered by experience?

I'm unfortunately familiar with the experience of seeing a group of individuals and realizing that my perception was radically different from those of the people I was with.

I'd see a group of teenagers who looked a lot like my students, while others would see a potentially dangerous and frightening gang.

I would see a group of people with long experience, while others saw only a bunch of boring old people.

I would see interesting people from other cultures with fascinating new ideas, while others saw only the strange, the exotic, or the bizarre.

"They're not like us," is too often a call to fear, not to embrace and explore and share. I'm just saying . . . Be careful who you stereotype. Instead, listen. Learn. Grow.

IMAGE: Many thanks to the "Social Justice" Pinterest Board.

Artdog Quote of the Week: Humanity

It's late this week--my apologies! But I thought we still needed our quote of the week. This is a good one, for Social Justice February.

Worth waiting for, in my opinion.

I hope you agree!

IMAGE: From the "Justice" Pinterest Board

Artdog Quote of the Week: Are you somebody?

When you see a problem . . .

IMAGE: Many thanks to A Spark of Passion.