Election Season Survival Guide
In any other year, it might seem odd to publish an election season “survival guide” less than a month before said election. In any other year.
If we’ve learned anything from even the past two weeks, it’s that things change fast. Events do not rest like a fly on Mike Pence’s head.
You might find yourself barraged by emails, texts and calls asking for time, attention and money. You’re worried about how that first week of November is going to play out, and as you lie awake at night, those worries can grow into Cormac McCarthy-esque apocalyptic fears. During the day, you’re being pecked to exhaustion by social media, by the news, by high school acquaintances on Facebook (what is it with them?). Maybe you’re out on the streets, protesting and marching, or you’re trying to find a job, or you’re just trying to get through the daily grind.
I consistently make the case for the importance of art in a time like this, when it can feel like a useless, unimportant or even shameful way to spend our time. Art in all its forms is valid and vital. It’s a necessary part of the public conversation and private wellbeing. It tells truths in ways other forms of communication cannot.
The Outer Voice editorial philosophy is driven by listening. It’s one of our main values. So, I reached out to our illustrious former interviewees for their wisdom on how to get through these next weeks — what we can do, and how we can take care of ourselves. Here’s what they had to say.
Tasneem Tewogbola, Writer, Storyteller, Podcaster
(Pictured with her daughter, Yemurai)
“I believe artists can remind society that these times produce impactful art. We can remind our folks that we’ve been here before — at the intersection of disbelief and denial — and still we ascend above chaos. We can create and repeat mantras that connect uncertainty and confusion to creativity. We exemplify the audacity to transform despondence into divine acts.
Emotional and mental wellness? It’s the work of the tribe of optimists, prayer warriors and travelers! We MUST stay connected even in a time of social distancing. Connection is a salve. So is grace. We are all doing the best we know how. “
Jacqueline Lawton, Playwright
“Artists should vote, volunteer to phone and text bank, and send post cards to help encourage their friends, families and neighbors to vote. If they feel comfortable and don't have any underlying health issues, they should volunteer to work at their nearest polling station and/or serve as a poll watcher. There is so much work to do!”
Resources for Voter Engagement from Theatre Communications Group
Matthew Ryan, Writer & Singer
“I believe it’s true that we’re in a moment of great peril. Beyond the death of over 200,000 people (and growing) from COVID 19, we are, and have been, rudderless with no unified, intelligent or discernible leadership.
I believe it is on all reasonable citizens (but possibly more so on us with audiences) to speak calmly and directly to this moment only in moments when we feel it can be most effective. Trump’s weapon is anger and hyper-emotionalism. He counts on our angry indignations. We can’t respond in kind. We can’t passionately call to arms at every cruel imposition he imposed. It’s exhausts us, our allies and those that (at this moment) we disagree with. That’s how he’s divided us. And when we’re divided we can’t reclaim a sense of great(er) community, or a working representative democracy. Compromise and conversation has come to feel impossible. Trump has enabled that. It only benefits him when we feel that way. All is not lost.
His performance at the debate was an act of cruel and hostile takeover. His aim was to demoralize the American public, to make our politics looks completely dysfunctional, an ugly horror of unhearing passions and drivel. Please understand, while our politics have always been a tough navigation, it is he that’s dysfunctional, it is he that’s diseased. For a president to behave like that during this time of danger and upheaval is further proof of his malfeasance, his corrupt desire for power, and possibly, an enunciation of his hope to not suffer the consequences of his criminality. He is desperate. We cannot participate in desperation as response. We must respond calmly, smartly and evocatively to his mode. We must appeal for people to understand what he’s doing and done... And that it is not in any of our best interests. His mode and engine is his own sense of self enrichment in power, ego and wealth. Again, he is the one that’s emotionally (and now literally) diseased. Not us.
So I’ve said so much more than was requested here. But the situation requires nuance. I hope you’ve read this far because I believe if we can inhabit calm, intelligent, and clear resistance and reason, I believe we can not only do some good for our own mental health and well-being, we might be able to finally communicate with some of those who Trump and the information streams he and they feed off of have worked so hard to pit us against. Maybe even alleviate some of them of some of their hate, misunderstandings and destructive emotional lives. And thus, with hard work, calm and compassion, reclaim a functioning government and head towards a future of problem solving, progress and inclusion.”
Deb Sivigny, Theatrical Designer
“I think we often obligated as artists to lean in, give our voice to every cause, and die on every hill. I think in order to say sane, we have to accept that it's okay to not get involved in everything. We have to choose our battles to not get burned out entirely, which leads to an inability to help anybody.
Getting the word out, using our networks to raise awareness and speaking our truths to more than our inner circle is critical at this moment, but keeping our inner emotional core strength is also equally important.”
Callie Kimball, Playwright & Resilience Educator
“One gift artists offer is how they model perseverance. One of the most essential traits of being an artist is a certain strength of mind that comes from seeing possibilities around them, and from pursuing ideas that might not make sense to others. At first.
Because artists are often finely attuned towards empathy, a time like now can feel overwhelming and chaotic. I teach workshops on Resilience, and one way to feel more in control of your environment is if we get out of our heads, get out of our feelings, and do something physical. Something as simple as stretching right before bed, learning to cook a quick nutritious meal, or planting something can act as a reset button. Small, intentional actions can ground you and help keep your emotions level. It's also important to leave pockets of time for joy — we need music, art, and laughter now more than ever.”
Representative of IndDecline, Art Activist Cooperative
“Voting might be the easiest thing you can do, but it’s not the only thing you should do. The first step, does not complete the journey. As artists and activists, it’s our duty to use our creative powers to speak truth to power and kill any precedents set by our oppressors.”
James Sie, Novelist & Actor
“Step it up, then Shut it down.
Yes, this a chaotic, desperate time. Acknowledge it, and make your plan to help—write those postcards, donate time or money, become a poll worker, make a difference. It’ll make you feel active and valid part of the solution. But—BUT— then, shut it off. You don’t need the blow-by-blow of this shitstorm, the ups and downs of each new outrage. You can’t do anything about it, and following and obsessing and feeding into the outrage won’t help you, either. Once you stop reading every twitter post and sub-post, stop reading every FB post and link, you’ll be amazed at how much more space in your brain you’ll have for your creative work. And remember that your art is a form of action, too, against those forces that want to stifle thought and discourse. It’s your form of resistance.”
Aaron Henne, Creative Director, theatre dybbuk
“I think that artists can continue to lead with curiosity, utilizing all the tools and techniques with which we engage to deeply investigate the forces at play, bringing that which is underneath the surface to light. In other words, I think we have a responsibility to both respond to the moment in the immediate and to ask big questions that go beneath the now, unearthing the past and looking towards that which is to come. As for how we can keep ourselves mentally and emotionally well - I am trying to remind myself (and perhaps this will help others) that we are all living in an altered reality and, as such, I must cultivate a sense of forgiveness for the ways in which my old strategies may no longer work or apply and that discovering and developing new strategies will involve experimentation.”
Liz Tormes, Photographer & Musician
“Part of an artist's role is to react. It can be a challenge not to be distracted by all of the vitriol in this election coverage and in our country right now. Don’t take the bait. Preserve your energy for productive and creative things. I personally am drawing inspiration from this quote by the late, glorious, Notorious RBG to keep my reactions in check: ‘Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.’ And for mental wellbeing, I cannot recommend the Insight Timer App enough. The guided meditations and courses are truly wonderful.”
Cecil Baldwin, Actor & Voice of Welcome to Night Vale
“When Donald John Trump was elected the 45th president of the United States of America, I made a promise to myself — until I saw the man led out of the Oval Office in handcuffs or until he led us into a "hot war" with another country, I was not going to give more than passing thought to anything he or his administration said. Not the tweets, not the rally rants, and certainly not the press statements. The art of misdirection is to keep you busy guessing, so I stopped guessing, and only focused on tangible actions and legislation.”
Anne Hromadka Greenwald, Art Curator & Advisor
“I am not sure I have a specific quote. However, I have found several arts-based projects responding to the election effort. Maybe these resources might inspire you to get involved in a creative way.
Instagram Account & Hashtag:
Riseupshowupunite (Social Media designs by artists to support voting)
The Congress.cards is a website and social media campaign where artists can design a postcard. Anyone can purchase the card and it is sent to their representatives. Many of the cards have specific political messages within the design work like ‘wait on SCOTUS appointment.’
There is also the Plan Your Vote art initiative created by VOTE.ORG to encourage all citizens to vote. I don't think more art can be added but folks could be inspired by the project. The purpose of this campaign is to use the free downloads to help advocate for voting.
I hope these projects help inspire activism, resistance, and change. Art can be a powerful tool in protesting.”
While we may be running the risk of giving you a “5 Easy Steps To…” Here’s what you saw above, distilled:
What To Do
Vote, and not just on the executive branch. There are national, state and local races hanging in the balance. Make sure you know all the deadlines and destinations.
Volunteer and spread the word. Volunteer to be a poll worker, to make calls or write letters. Write articles, blogs, letters to senators, mayors, governors… everybody.
Break out of the echo chamber. It’s comfy in there. But we have to have challenging (and civil) conversations with people we know who are on the fence or wavering.
Keep fighting. Whether it’s in the streets, the office or from home, don’t let October sleight of hand from the White House and the news distract you from the core issues.
Be in community with others. If you can’t do it in person, do it online. Be engaged and open.
How to Take Care of Yourself
Know when to turn off the news. Stay informed, but be responsible with your mental and emotional health. This is a great time to kick your outrage addiction.
Take a social media diet. Remember that social media is all about dopamine hits, outrage addiction and bias reinforcement.
Keep things in perspective. The first election I voted in was Clinton vs. Bush, 1992. And then we said it was the most important election in history. They all are. That’s why we have them. Yes, the stakes are high, domestically and globally. We will make it through this.
Focus on friends and family. Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi — they’re not worth the attention you could be giving to your children, your partner, your dog, your best friend.
Practice one-on-one human kindness and compassion, including with yourself. Everybody’s scared — including the people you disagree with. Take it slow.
