To say that it’s been an interesting few weeks here in the United States would feel like the understatement of the century at this point.

From attacks on the trans community, to the predictable crackdown on DEI, and giving the richest man in the world carte blanche over the federal government, it’s anything but business as usual in Washington these days. Reading the news these days feels like getting punched out by a prime Mike Tyson and wondering when the hell the bell is going to ring to give you a pause to catch your breath.

For the creative community these are interesting times nonetheless. Art alone won’t save us, but it can help give us meaning during these chaotic times. Whether it be paintings, drawings, television, film, or literature, all have meaning and purpose and must be protected. I emphasize protected, because the arts are being threatened by the anti-DEI dragnet currently taking hold within the current administration.

However, despite these attacks, artists and creatives don’t have to take this lying down. As a matter of fact, some of the best work comes during troubled times. Case-in-point during the 1960s, probably the roughest decade for America (until ironically, the 2020s) some of the best music this country has ever produced came out during that era of Civil Rights, war, and societal upheaval.

I have no idea what these next 4 years will hold, but I know that as creatives, we must continue to speak truth to power, regardless of who occupies 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. For our country and future selves depend on it.