Greetings, Sunny Optimists,
I am still on a bit of a roll with this pandemic thing, LOL!
In 2020 I started The Sunny Optimists during the second lockdown. We were not allowed to be with our family and friends, which I found immensely challenging. It was at this time that I first encountered Bob Moran’s cartoons. I really like them. The one below exquisitely captures what I was feeling. Being with my family was much more important to me than what might happen if I caught this virus. We were all prepared to take the risk.
As I look at this image, I still feel a powerful sense of hurt and grief rising within me.
Bob is an artist and cultural commentator. He is a social observer in the tradition of the contrarian. He challenges ideology and orthodoxy in ways that weave humour and horror together. His incisive and often disturbing clarity can evoke a powerful sense of discomfort.
Here is an example. Over the last two years, I have reluctantly felt part of a new and beleaguered minority that did not accept the government narrative. As a result, for the first time in my life, I experienced being 'othered'. Othering is a phenomenon where individuals or groups are defined and labelled as not fitting in with the norms of another social group. Being othered involves attributing negative characteristics that exclude and disparage them.
You may be aware that there is a call for an 'Amnesty' between these two groups and a call to move on. However, seeing Bob's cartoon below helped me realise that more is needed to heal this 'othering' divide than a simple amnesty. Bob captures the depth and breadth of injustice that we must explore to ensure it does not happen again.
Now, let’s look at how Bob can capture a moment in time for us. The one below he called Partygate. I laughed out loud when I first saw this. And yet, it is extraordinarily impactful as you see Boris being sick over the COVID rules he was espousing. There is a sense of chaos, messiness and careless disregard for the plight of others who choose to stick by the rules.
Again, the power of an image to cut through the bluster.
Below is a documentary called 'Bob Brilliantly Difficult', which is exactly what a social commentator should be. They need to be a thorn in the establishment's side and make us face uncomfortable realities that might otherwise pass by. I am sure that the mainstream media must find Bob very difficult as he demonstrates how they abandoned impartiality and journalism. Click here or on the image below to view the documentary.
Questions for this Week
I realise I am being more controversial this week than I would normally be. I think it is to do with coming out of this experience, feeling into and reflecting on the last couple of years. So, to my questions this week, I wonder,
What has been your experience of this time?
Are there creative ways that help you make sense of the world?
Who lights up your understanding with insight and clarity?
As always, I would love to hear from you.
Ann.
PS. just one more!
My dear heart: YOU light up my experience of these times with your wisdom, wit and supportive love🙏🏼♥️As always, so appreciate your perspective. xxo
Thank you again Ann.
Yes such powerful images and much needed to challenge the narratives.
I really enjoyed the documentary - THANK YOU BOB!
I notice how my system gets agitated with polar opposites.
My practice is about holding the tension that inherently arises and when I do that there comes about a settling.