The RESIST series was originally inspired by the handmade 'RESIST' signs held by the Native American NODAPL protesters at Standing Rock Indian Reservation, who objected to the construction of the Energy Transfer Partners' Dakota Access Pipeline in 2015-2016. They stood unarmed in the freezing cold for months, defying tanks, water cannons, concussion grenades, pepper spray and advancing armed forces. 487 protesters were arrested and over 300 were injured.
They knew the odds were against them and they were in great danger, but they objected anyway. Even knowing that they would likely lose the battle, they believed it was still vital that they stood firm and made clear that this injustice would not prevail without their resistance.
This series was also inspired by many members of the National Park Service who, when informed by the US government in 2017 that they were banned from speaking to the public about any environmental concerns they were witnessing with their own eyes all over the US, created 'rogue', underground social media accounts to be able to continue to speak the truth. Park Rangers and employees from several National Parks, National Monuments and the Environmental Protection Agency continue to risk their own livelihood and safety to do so.
It is inspired by my own objection to the recent gutting of several environmental protection laws in the US. And it is continually inspired by my own outrage at the increase of racist, bigoted, classist and violent incidents across the country and our tendency as a society to try to normalize this behavior because we are all exhausted, or frightened, or simply because it hasn't yet directly affected our own lives personally. It is not normal, it is not okay, and it is important to continue to say so, again and again.
No one should be expected to fight every battle. My point is that one of the greatest things about being an American is our constitutional right to speak up, speak out and resist what we believe to be unjust. That belief may differ from person to person, but the right to object is the same for each of us.
My RESIST series is meant to encourage you to resist tyranny in all its forms. If you see an injustice taking place, it is important to know that you have the right to voice your objection. Even if you are outnumbered, even when you know you will likely lose that battle, you still have the fundamental right to stand firm and make it clear that what is happening is not okay with you. Even when you are unable to prevent an injustice from taking place, you can still bear witness to it and voice your objection. Sometimes it is the only thing you CAN do, but it still matters.
Resistance matters.
They knew the odds were against them and they were in great danger, but they objected anyway. Even knowing that they would likely lose the battle, they believed it was still vital that they stood firm and made clear that this injustice would not prevail without their resistance.
This series was also inspired by many members of the National Park Service who, when informed by the US government in 2017 that they were banned from speaking to the public about any environmental concerns they were witnessing with their own eyes all over the US, created 'rogue', underground social media accounts to be able to continue to speak the truth. Park Rangers and employees from several National Parks, National Monuments and the Environmental Protection Agency continue to risk their own livelihood and safety to do so.
It is inspired by my own objection to the recent gutting of several environmental protection laws in the US. And it is continually inspired by my own outrage at the increase of racist, bigoted, classist and violent incidents across the country and our tendency as a society to try to normalize this behavior because we are all exhausted, or frightened, or simply because it hasn't yet directly affected our own lives personally. It is not normal, it is not okay, and it is important to continue to say so, again and again.
No one should be expected to fight every battle. My point is that one of the greatest things about being an American is our constitutional right to speak up, speak out and resist what we believe to be unjust. That belief may differ from person to person, but the right to object is the same for each of us.
My RESIST series is meant to encourage you to resist tyranny in all its forms. If you see an injustice taking place, it is important to know that you have the right to voice your objection. Even if you are outnumbered, even when you know you will likely lose that battle, you still have the fundamental right to stand firm and make it clear that what is happening is not okay with you. Even when you are unable to prevent an injustice from taking place, you can still bear witness to it and voice your objection. Sometimes it is the only thing you CAN do, but it still matters.
Resistance matters.