Words from Toni Morrison, Audre Lorde, and James Baldwin about “the vital role that artists play in society generally, and doubly so in the face of authoritarian regimes”.
Unpopular opinion among liberals/leftists/artists but I think the importance of artists (generally and during upheavals) is overstated, especially by artists. Which is not to say art is not important or even vital to a healthy society, but I am just loathe to hear all the grandstanding from egomaniacal cultural producers/institutions, thinly veiled and otherwise, about how vital their work is now more than ever. A painting or a sculpture is not going to save you from the fascist’s boot crushing your skull, but it certainly could give future humans a fine visual footnote to reflect upon.
NB: I reserve the right to change my mind on this, and for the purposes of the above thoughts I am not referring to writers. Hm maybe this is all a paper tiger but I’m reentering my posting era so let’s roll.