Blank Signs

Creative Dissidence

The cartoon below was drawn several years ago, during the Tea Party protests. I ran across the cartoon this morning, and it reminded me of the current protests in China. Of course we know what they are protesting, but what made me think of China is that I read that some of the young dissenters are holding up blank pieces of paper in order to avoid the censors.

Brilliant.

But I am sure they are getting arrested anyway, unfortunately.

What is happening there is heartbreaking, the activists are so brave. I am worried about them and wait in anticipation as to how this will unfold.

I traveled to China about four years ago, to speak to small groups and universities about women’s rights. It was an amazing trip and very eye-opening for me. My powerpoint was censored by the government before I gave my talks, it was required of the NGO to have it checked. Among the cartoons I showed were some very difficult ones about abuse and rape, like this one.

And this one:

As I understand it, the Chinese government is well aware of and admits that there is abuse and battering in Chinese households. What Is interesting is they did not want this cartoon below to be in my slide show.

My visit coincided with the surge of MeToo in this country; many of the attendees knew about it and asked me about it. We discussed it at length in some venues.

Currently, I am working with the same independent non-profit in curating an exhibit about American women cartoonists. Art is a great way to talk about freedom and liberty indirectly, if need be. I believe that this kind of diplomacy needs to continue, to keep commjnication going between our people and Chinese people. Despite the hardline government.

I won’t be going to China this time, but instead will deliver talks via zoom for an audience they assemble.

I send hope their way.