WORDS MATTER! LET’S MAKE THEM MATTER FOR US…

My Badass Curator partner, formerly known (by me) as The Art Princess, introduced me to the art of Barbara Kruger through Kruger’s floor tiles in the UCSD Student Center. Kruger incorporates words, poetry and popular sayings in her works to inform, entertain, provoke and inspire to action. Words matter, and Kruger’s recent MOMA show (above) was a blockbuster example of same.

As we prepare to vote in the all-important mid-term elections, I’m inspired to retrieve some of my favorite examples of quotes, slogans and other uses of language that impact political and public discourse. Let these examples prompt yours, and let’s use our imaginations to consider the importance of context.

It seems the public square, be it live or screened, is dominated with demagogues. And they will dominate the discourse until We The People inform ourselves and build up the courage to represent our best interests. In formal or informal debate, guest editorials, podcasts, political action, etc.

We’re certainly seeing this historic reflection acted out in our current experience. We let down our guard, ignored evolving warning signs, and are now having to scramble to establish or reclaim the values of livable communities.

I’m hoping the backlash from the assault on women’s health rights will inspire women of all backgrounds to counter this conservative overreach with voting strength and policy reversals. Most assuredly possible if women of all ages recognize their opportunity to reclaim agency over their own bodies…their own lives.

One of our biggest challenges is to reverse the dumbing down of the populace. A better-informed citizenry would not support/tolerate the level of ignorance and incompetence we’re experiencing with too much frequency through our political representatives. Ignorance and willful ignorance can be moderated through more progressive efforts from the media and our schools. And by more of us stepping up to call out cowardice and commend courage when deserved. Those of us who care and know better need to model better and expect same with family, friends, colleagues and our representative governance.