“Art inspires, produces an unwillingness to settle for what we have and a desire for something better. It is the product and producer of creative activity, change; it is essential for continuous development.”

~ Russell L. Ackoff

For many students the Inauguration of Donald Trump was a dreadful day. In Collegeville, it rained and I was reminded of what a dreary day it was after the election. Like the Inauguration day, Ursinus students felt to same lingering raindrops and the attitude of the overcast sky. It has been hard to find hope during this weather and it has been even more difficult for me to find hope moving forward.

Fortunately Shepard Fairey, the artist who created President Obama’s iconic hope poster, has been able to find the sunlight in the bad weather ahead. Fairey has started the “We the People Campaign” to focus on minorities Trump slandered during his campaign. The project aims to distribute three different poster designs, all of which mimic the famous hope design, around DC during the Inauguration.

The posters feature African American, Latin, and Muslim women and across the bottom they state “we the people defend dignity,” “we the people are greater than fear,” and “we the people protect each other.” In an email to the Washington Post, Fairey said, “this campaign is similar in its appeal to human dignity and fairness, but different in that the subjects are not people who have aspirations as leaders. They are any and all of us.” His artwork advocates for people to stand up and stand with people who are different from themselves.

The posters are available for free on Amplifier Foundation website. In stressful times, they are a nice reminder of peace, unity, and the power of art as a reistance.