Art has way of using a visual language to convey a plethora of subjects.The power of the creative process is everything.
We live in a time of relative fragility in daily life and this is causing many to foam at the mouth, whilst some choose to be easily offended and others simply let the hate fall like acid rain.
As a creative observer and producer, I feel the responsibility to share what I see and feel in bringing our collective consciousness to bear.
We are all experiencing symptoms of fragility as we circumnavigate the choppy seas of social media, moral compass, choices and the popular gaze. We are twitching with nervousness because no one wants to rock the boat so to speak.
But to rock the boat is what Life is all about anyway. Isn't it?
In the political arena, tweets are causing a shit storm because sides are drawn and wisdom is shunted aside in favour of vitriolic sound bytes.
In the case of religious beliefs and cultural biases, war is waged with and arsenal of arms amassed without any concrete proof albeit that everyone is easily offended. The talk of love is heard but only hate seems to speak...very loudly.
Prudish attitudes are rife because the political, the religious and the cultural frown on the most natural things about being human. We don't touch anymore for fear of reprisals. Sexual energy is suppressed and relationships are shipwrecking. Laws are crafted to squelch all fun and then we wonder why we slink about in the dark trying to satisfy our natural curiosity about our sexual and sensual identity.
Everything that makes life sweet, beautiful and fulfilling is reduced to a taboo of sorts. The idea of speaking one's truth is lauded but dare to do so and you get censured. The movement for openness and transparency is marching forward, however, the juggernaut of repression is speeding faster than light. Confusion is running the madhouse as those who choose not to remain silent take responsibility to be real and frank.
Too much fragility is a deep sign and sigh of fear at work in the collective mind. It seems like everyone is on a tightrope knowing that they will fall because they are heavily invested in the opinions of a frightened society.
Personally, I am convinced that courage is that attitude that breaks barriers and brings freedom forth. I pride the truth of openness above all. When a society is open and willing change is then the only byproduct.
Imagine if everyone were conscious of their place in life and lived according to this truth, would our world be a battlefield on a knife edge? Alas, we are creating a world saturated with fakery, dog whistling, vested interests, biased commentary, twisted logic, disempowering narratives, racial and sexual discrimination, and the crushing of individual expression and spirit.
We must remember that we are sexual, social, sensual and spiritual beings. We thrive in freedom and suffer in restraint. We do not behave well in hate. This then means that we are at choice to change and become better than what we have experienced thus far.
The next generation is challenging all that the last has held to be accurate. Isn't it time that openness is really prized in the real world! Balance is the best place to live.
The question is; when will we course correct and re-evaluate ourselves? Are not all asking this of ourselves; can I be me?
What is stopping you and me? Courage is the reality that when we go within then we discover that the answers have always been inside us all along.
© zari olawale 2019
Photo Credit: Pinterest
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