Maybe this is a simplistic reading, but your cartoon depicts someone being crushed by the weight of witnessing injustice. It centers *you*, not the injustice itself. Its perspective is focused on how hard it is to see what's going on in Palestine from the other side of the world, and I think that we are well past that at this point in this ongoing genocide. What exactly was your motivation when sharing the cartoon -- and this post? I don't think "doing what you can" should center *you*.
I appreciate your comment - there's always more to learn about ways to contribute. I've been posting a lot to instagram/stories in the past months about the horror in Palestine and ways to help, including the above illustration in December depicting Palestinians and calling for a ceasefire. I intend to continue to do so.
This daily cartoon is, I believe, the only cartoon the New Yorker has published that references the ongoing attacks in any way. The cartoon doesn't centre me, but depicts a universal experience that people can see themselves in. This is my approach with most of my editorial cartoons: to help bridge divides by grounding people in empathy. A lot of people are still finding it difficult to talk about this subject openly, and my intention with this cartoon is to help start conversations.
The voice I use in editorial cartoons may not accord exactly with what I might say in private life, because the editors ultimately decide what gets published. It's the reality of the job, like any job. Most news outlets are staying far away from calling it a genocide, and they wouldn't publish a cartoon that says that. But there is now an image in a major magazine that acknowledges we are not indifferent to Palestinian suffering. I'd rather this cartoon be in millions of people's inboxes, than no cartoon at all. Different platforms can be used to send different messages.
"Doing what you can" can also mean working with the circumstances you've got. These are my circumstances and I think I've made progress. Everyone is in a different place with their advocacy and I want to meet them where they are, and encourage them to move forward. That was my intent in sharing this post.
Things you can do that don't center your experience:
- Amplify Palestinian art and artists on your platform. You have a massive reach on Instagram.
- Fundraising, or sharing mutual aid resources directly with your followers.
- Make art that actually visibly, unapologetically mentions Palestine. Your standalone cartoon avoids any mention. Again, over 6 months into this genocide, the time to say things with your chest was a long time ago.
Boycotting companies that support the genocide is one of the ways we can do what we can ❤️
you’re one of the good ones zo ♥️
Thank you for this reminder. Love reading these from you.
Thank you for highlighting and acting on the power of art to connect, to inspire.
🩷
Maybe this is a simplistic reading, but your cartoon depicts someone being crushed by the weight of witnessing injustice. It centers *you*, not the injustice itself. Its perspective is focused on how hard it is to see what's going on in Palestine from the other side of the world, and I think that we are well past that at this point in this ongoing genocide. What exactly was your motivation when sharing the cartoon -- and this post? I don't think "doing what you can" should center *you*.
I appreciate your comment - there's always more to learn about ways to contribute. I've been posting a lot to instagram/stories in the past months about the horror in Palestine and ways to help, including the above illustration in December depicting Palestinians and calling for a ceasefire. I intend to continue to do so.
This daily cartoon is, I believe, the only cartoon the New Yorker has published that references the ongoing attacks in any way. The cartoon doesn't centre me, but depicts a universal experience that people can see themselves in. This is my approach with most of my editorial cartoons: to help bridge divides by grounding people in empathy. A lot of people are still finding it difficult to talk about this subject openly, and my intention with this cartoon is to help start conversations.
The voice I use in editorial cartoons may not accord exactly with what I might say in private life, because the editors ultimately decide what gets published. It's the reality of the job, like any job. Most news outlets are staying far away from calling it a genocide, and they wouldn't publish a cartoon that says that. But there is now an image in a major magazine that acknowledges we are not indifferent to Palestinian suffering. I'd rather this cartoon be in millions of people's inboxes, than no cartoon at all. Different platforms can be used to send different messages.
"Doing what you can" can also mean working with the circumstances you've got. These are my circumstances and I think I've made progress. Everyone is in a different place with their advocacy and I want to meet them where they are, and encourage them to move forward. That was my intent in sharing this post.
Things you can do that don't center your experience:
- Amplify Palestinian art and artists on your platform. You have a massive reach on Instagram.
- Fundraising, or sharing mutual aid resources directly with your followers.
- Make art that actually visibly, unapologetically mentions Palestine. Your standalone cartoon avoids any mention. Again, over 6 months into this genocide, the time to say things with your chest was a long time ago.
I love your character designs! the noses are my favorite part.