There are so many emotions coming out of this election. Needless to say, even though the election is over, our country still seems to be standing on a dividing line. Our president is not who we thought they were going to be...but he is the president and I don't think that we can change that.
BUT.
As an artist, I feel as though it's our job to show our country what it is that is causing all of the emotion and how to cope with it. I think it's important to not ignore the opinions of either side, and to try to find a way to bring unity and peace back into our country. That's all we want in the first place, isn't it? Whether you're an actor, a singer, a painter, a poet, a playwright, a photographer, or work in any other genre of art...I believe we have a new purpose, or rather, a heightened purpose.
Over the past week I've been trying to make sense of the outcome of the election and what I could do to possibly end the hatred that is flourishing as a result of it. I realized all I could do was turn to the only thing I new how to do in moments of stress and despair: my art. I'm an actress, a singer, a dancer, a director, a writer, and surely that's all got to account for something. Surely there's something I can do to convey what I'm feeling in a way that makes others understand but not revolt against my opinions violently or in a hateful way. Then, I thought even further...there's way more than one of me. There are artists all over the world and I know I'm not the only one feeling this way. Maybe I'm not a celebrity (yet) but I certainly can still use art to start a movement. I can certainly write a song or a play and get it out to others to express how I'm feeling, and if only one person hears it, at least someone is being presented with a new perspective that they may have not thought of themselves.
But what if I wasn't the only one?
What if all of the artists in the United States, or in the world, created a movement? What if we all shared our opinions and emotions in the form of art, and inspired others to do the same as an alternative to violence? I said before we had a job to and I believe it. I believe as artists we are the ones who have to inspire others to see through different lenses and broaden their mind. I believe we are the ones who have to take the first step towards peace and unity instead of hate and separation. Because if we, as Americans, keep spiraling downward and reacting violently, we are letting all our predictions about Trump come true without him even being officially inaugurated into the presidency. We are doing all the dirty work for him and we are giving him exactly what he wants: a reason to be irrationally controlling. I love America and I believe this country is capable of amazing things, and I believe it all starts with a look in the mirror.
So this is my call to action. I want to challenge all the artists I know to come together and to be activists in promoting peace in a time where we need it most. Be advocates for art and for unity. And then I challenge you to challenge the artists you know to do the same thing. One person can make a difference, but together the results could be astronomical. The country needs outlets to let their emotions and frustrations out, and they also need something to bring them together. There are so many masterpieces just waiting to come out of what seems to be a bit of a mess right now, and I can't wait to be immersed in them.
So, will you join the movement and become an #Artivist ?
