The real enemy

I could not join in the protests last weekend because I was busy selling my wares at the Treefort Market in downtown Boise. While I was sad to not be able to join in, I did bring my own protest sign and had lots of great conversations with people after they left the protests.

Two of those left me feeling very fulfilled and reminded me why I create the work that I do. I painted the above picture a while ago and it is still one of my favorites. It came from my own struggles with trying to identify "the enemy". It was at a time when we were being told by the administration who they believed the enemy to be. I disagreed with every bit of my being. They had it wrong; still do. And while part of me wanted to then label them, the people who run the government of the country where I reside, as "the enemy", after some tortuous pondering, I couldn't do it.

No one "person" is the enemy. Those people are simply ignorant. They have been taught certain things, or come to believe certain concepts. Those ideas or beliefs govern the way they act. It is not the person that is the enemy. They are simply following their programming. Ignorance is the enemy.

Ignorance can be overcome. I see it every day as I work with high school and adult students. People can change their beliefs. I did. Many times. And I likely will again as I learn how to better love those around me.

At the Treefort Market, I had one couple see my Ignorance is the Enemy work, walk away, and then come back an hour later because they couldn't get it out of their heads. They bought a print and a sticker, the plan for the print to be put in their front window letting everyone know they are a safe space. I almost cried because that was a thought I had while creating it.

Another gentleman was looking at that piece as he lingered outside of my booth while other people were browsing. The moment he had a chance he came in and also bought a print and a sticker. His comments as he paid were, "this is going up in my shop, and this is going on my hard hat." I immediately knew the kind of place in which he likely worked. He was making a stand for his beliefs.

I'm crying as I write this remembering those two. This is why I create. Ignorance is the enemy. Most people don't wake up until they are confronted with something that challenges their long held beliefs. I am here to challenge beliefs.