Warning! Graphic Content: Using humor for social change | Dwayne “Mr. Fish” Booth | TEDxPenn

tell me what’s really good how has

tell me what’s really good how has nobody taken advantage of the fact that

nobody taken advantage of the fact that

nobody taken advantage of the fact that you have a silhouette you’ve got this

you have a silhouette you’ve got this

you have a silhouette you’ve got this dramatic music you have to strike a pose

dramatic music you have to strike a pose

dramatic music you have to strike a pose and so yes

and so yes

and so yes send your pescado to my spanish-speaking

send your pescado to my spanish-speaking

send your pescado to my spanish-speaking friends as well and one more note –

friends as well and one more note –

friends as well and one more note – there is documentary about me and the

there is documentary about me and the

there is documentary about me and the filmmaker is desperately needing a

filmmaker is desperately needing a

filmmaker is desperately needing a dramatic ending so if there’s an

dramatic ending so if there’s an

dramatic ending so if there’s an assassin here tonight and and I am your

assassin here tonight and and I am your

assassin here tonight and and I am your target please have the courtesy to wait

target please have the courtesy to wait

target please have the courtesy to wait until the end of the talk so it has the

until the end of the talk so it has the

until the end of the talk so it has the dramatic punch that I think the film

dramatic punch that I think the film

dramatic punch that I think the film could use so thank you so let’s begin

could use so thank you so let’s begin

could use so thank you so let’s begin with a question what is an artist this

with a question what is an artist this

with a question what is an artist this is an artist what qualifies an artist to

is an artist what qualifies an artist to

is an artist what qualifies an artist to make him or her a unique commentator

make him or her a unique commentator

make him or her a unique commentator when it comes to political ideas and

when it comes to political ideas and

when it comes to political ideas and cultural ideas it’s not a question that

cultural ideas it’s not a question that

cultural ideas it’s not a question that you’re used to hearing because generally

you’re used to hearing because generally

you’re used to hearing because generally speaking artists are no longer included

speaking artists are no longer included

speaking artists are no longer included in the public debate about what we are

in the public debate about what we are

in the public debate about what we are as citizens and where we should be going

as citizens and where we should be going

as citizens and where we should be going and that is a problem and I’m going to

and that is a problem and I’m going to

and that is a problem and I’m going to explain to you why how many people have

explain to you why how many people have

explain to you why how many people have ever had an itch you can raise your hand

ever had an itch you can raise your hand

ever had an itch you can raise your hand looks like everybody has had an itch

looks like everybody has had an itch

looks like everybody has had an itch okay

okay

okay second part of that question is how many

second part of that question is how many

second part of that question is how many of you had have had an itch while you’re

of you had have had an itch while you’re

of you had have had an itch while you’re in public that decorum prevents you from

in public that decorum prevents you from

in public that decorum prevents you from scratching

everybody has right there’s a number of

everybody has right there’s a number of of techniques that you can use you know

of techniques that you can use you know

of techniques that you can use you know my favorite perhaps being is now wait

my favorite perhaps being is now wait

my favorite perhaps being is now wait where did I put those lottery tickets

but everybody has a method to cope with

but everybody has a method to cope with it okay so the second part of that

it okay so the second part of that

it okay so the second part of that question is if you are in a private

question is if you are in a private

question is if you are in a private space and you get that same itch what do

space and you get that same itch what do

space and you get that same itch what do you do then you scratch it you

you do then you scratch it you

you do then you scratch it you immediately scratch it there is never a

immediately scratch it there is never a

immediately scratch it there is never a moment when you do what you do in public

moment when you do what you do in public

moment when you do what you do in public which is try to pretend that you don’t

which is try to pretend that you don’t

which is try to pretend that you don’t have the itch you attack it you go

have the itch you attack it you go

have the itch you attack it you go straight for the itch depending on your

straight for the itch depending on your

straight for the itch depending on your commitment it’s either with this or it’s

commitment it’s either with this or it’s

commitment it’s either with this or it’s with this but you acknowledge it and you

with this but you acknowledge it and you

with this but you acknowledge it and you take care of it it’s an irritant that

take care of it it’s an irritant that

take care of it it’s an irritant that you satisfy your itch you scratch and

you satisfy your itch you scratch and

you satisfy your itch you scratch and the angels did sing right so why is this

the angels did sing right so why is this

the angels did sing right so why is this significant let’s think about where an

significant let’s think about where an

significant let’s think about where an artist does the majority of his or her

artist does the majority of his or her

artist does the majority of his or her work they do it in private right so in

work they do it in private right so in

work they do it in private right so in this space that we’ve already

this space that we’ve already

this space that we’ve already established as being a place where you

established as being a place where you

established as being a place where you can actually be very honest and you can

can actually be very honest and you can

can actually be very honest and you can address irritants and things that bother

address irritants and things that bother

address irritants and things that bother you let’s expand the definition of what

you let’s expand the definition of what

you let’s expand the definition of what a niche is because I was talking about

a niche is because I was talking about

a niche is because I was talking about corporeal edges right there are

corporeal edges right there are

corporeal edges right there are cognitive itches there are ideas that

cognitive itches there are ideas that

cognitive itches there are ideas that you share with your friends you have

you share with your friends you have

you share with your friends you have personally inside of you that you don’t

personally inside of you that you don’t

personally inside of you that you don’t feel safe because of this decorum to

feel safe because of this decorum to

feel safe because of this decorum to bring out into the public square there

bring out into the public square there

bring out into the public square there are historical examples of that at one

are historical examples of that at one

are historical examples of that at one time it was impolite and considered

time it was impolite and considered

time it was impolite and considered politically incorrect actually to engage

politically incorrect actually to engage

politically incorrect actually to engage with notions such as African Americans

with notions such as African Americans

with notions such as African Americans are not inferior women are not the

are not inferior women are not the

are not inferior women are not the lesser sex gays lesbians and transgender

lesser sex gays lesbians and transgender

lesser sex gays lesbians and transgender people are not moral degenerates at one

people are not moral degenerates at one

people are not moral degenerates at one time you could not paw at the

time you could not paw at the

time you could not paw at the it is in the public square because they

it is in the public square because they

it is in the public square because they were considered too crude but luckily

were considered too crude but luckily

were considered too crude but luckily there were artists thinkers outlaws

there were artists thinkers outlaws

there were artists thinkers outlaws deviants who are willing to go against

deviants who are willing to go against

deviants who are willing to go against decorum and what is polite and as a

decorum and what is polite and as a

decorum and what is polite and as a result as a society we are considerably

result as a society we are considerably

result as a society we are considerably less itchy and that is a very good thing

less itchy and that is a very good thing

less itchy and that is a very good thing so what I do as a political cartoonist

so what I do as a political cartoonist

so what I do as a political cartoonist and as an artist one of the best

and as an artist one of the best

and as an artist one of the best vehicles let’s remind you I am this is

vehicles let’s remind you I am this is

vehicles let’s remind you I am this is what an artist is it’s can I have a

what an artist is it’s can I have a

what an artist is it’s can I have a grant so I can finish my art

yes we’re just going to keep bringing it

yes we’re just going to keep bringing it back to sort of like deep deep

back to sort of like deep deep

back to sort of like deep deep significant ideas with some of these

significant ideas with some of these

significant ideas with some of these images so I would argue that you need a

images so I would argue that you need a

images so I would argue that you need a technique to bring controversial ideas

technique to bring controversial ideas

technique to bring controversial ideas into the public square what is perhaps

into the public square what is perhaps

into the public square what is perhaps the greatest delivery system I would

the greatest delivery system I would

the greatest delivery system I would argue traditionally has been jokes

argue traditionally has been jokes

argue traditionally has been jokes because jokes they you have to actually

because jokes they you have to actually

because jokes they you have to actually be a little bit of a bad boy or a bad

be a little bit of a bad boy or a bad

be a little bit of a bad boy or a bad girl you have to step out of this

girl you have to step out of this

girl you have to step out of this straight and narrow you have to consider

straight and narrow you have to consider

straight and narrow you have to consider alternatives you have to embrace

alternatives you have to embrace

alternatives you have to embrace diversity in many ways right so these

diversity in many ways right so these

diversity in many ways right so these little excuses where I’ll just say it

little excuses where I’ll just say it

little excuses where I’ll just say it permit you to scratch your ass in public

permit you to scratch your ass in public

permit you to scratch your ass in public just for a moment

just for a moment

just for a moment right so let’s look at some of these

right so let’s look at some of these

right so let’s look at some of these jokes and as a Helen said at the

jokes and as a Helen said at the

jokes and as a Helen said at the beginning of the day you may be offended

beginning of the day you may be offended

beginning of the day you may be offended by some of these things or you may not

by some of these things or you may not

by some of these things or you may not but pay attention to whether this

but pay attention to whether this

but pay attention to whether this inspires you to have an itch that you

inspires you to have an itch that you

inspires you to have an itch that you need to scratch or it scratches an itch

need to scratch or it scratches an itch

need to scratch or it scratches an itch for you and you go ah the point is is

for you and you go ah the point is is

for you and you go ah the point is is that these are ideas that are presented

that these are ideas that are presented

that these are ideas that are presented in art these are not bayonets these are

in art these are not bayonets these are

in art these are not bayonets these are pencils so they are non-lethal so they

pencils so they are non-lethal so they

pencils so they are non-lethal so they are safe to consider inside your mind

are safe to consider inside your mind

are safe to consider inside your mind and inside my mouth when I speak them so

and inside my mouth when I speak them so

and inside my mouth when I speak them so stretching extra exercises so let’s just

stretching extra exercises so let’s just

stretching extra exercises so let’s just have a little fun with some of these

have a little fun with some of these

have a little fun with some of these this is Jesus as a young man learning

this is Jesus as a young man learning

this is Jesus as a young man learning carpentry

this one for you who can’t people can’t

this one for you who can’t people can’t read it in the back this is people this

read it in the back this is people this

read it in the back this is people this is Bert talking people are so worried

is Bert talking people are so worried

is Bert talking people are so worried about what gay marriage will do to the

about what gay marriage will do to the

about what gay marriage will do to the community and the irony is that they

community and the irony is that they

community and the irony is that they probably learned all about what a

probably learned all about what a

probably learned all about what a community is from me and I’ve had a

community is from me and I’ve had a

community is from me and I’ve had a guy’s hand up my ass for the last 40

guy’s hand up my ass for the last 40

guy’s hand up my ass for the last 40 years this is great news we just found

years this is great news we just found

years this is great news we just found out that justice isn’t really blind and

out that justice isn’t really blind and

out that justice isn’t really blind and that she’s into rich white guys this is

that she’s into rich white guys this is

that she’s into rich white guys this is the stairway to democracy and also the

the stairway to democracy and also the

the stairway to democracy and also the stairway to fascism this is before we

stairway to fascism this is before we

stairway to fascism this is before we throw a ton of money into constructing a

throw a ton of money into constructing a

throw a ton of money into constructing a tomb for the unknown finger we should

tomb for the unknown finger we should

tomb for the unknown finger we should first determine if it’s saying you

first determine if it’s saying you

first determine if it’s saying you or we’re number one and of course for

or we’re number one and of course for

or we’re number one and of course for the kids we have fly creationism which

the kids we have fly creationism which

the kids we have fly creationism which is in the beginning God made a whole lot

is in the beginning God made a whole lot

is in the beginning God made a whole lot of while we’re operating at such a

of while we’re operating at such a

of while we’re operating at such a sort of sophisticated level actually

sort of sophisticated level actually

sort of sophisticated level actually it’s not as great as it sounds it’s the

it’s not as great as it sounds it’s the

it’s not as great as it sounds it’s the only position she’ll try

and this of course is Cupid afraid that

and this of course is Cupid afraid that his parents are starting to suspect that

his parents are starting to suspect that

his parents are starting to suspect that he’s discovered masturbation and since

he’s discovered masturbation and since

he’s discovered masturbation and since we’re close to Easter let’s end with a

we’re close to Easter let’s end with a

we’re close to Easter let’s end with a big bang sorry baby not tonight I got to

big bang sorry baby not tonight I got to

big bang sorry baby not tonight I got to rise up early tomorrow okay so what have

rise up early tomorrow okay so what have

rise up early tomorrow okay so what have we learned I love having that phrase

we learned I love having that phrase

we learned I love having that phrase after images like that at a TED event

after images like that at a TED event

after images like that at a TED event now what have we learned that we made a

now what have we learned that we made a

now what have we learned that we made a mistake in booking Senor pescado so what

mistake in booking Senor pescado so what

mistake in booking Senor pescado so what we’ve learned is that there are two

we’ve learned is that there are two

we’ve learned is that there are two really when you think about it basically

really when you think about it basically

really when you think about it basically there there are two realities that we

there there are two realities that we

there there are two realities that we typically navigate in a day

typically navigate in a day

typically navigate in a day there’s your private self which you

there’s your private self which you

there’s your private self which you where you can be yourself and you can

where you can be yourself and you can

where you can be yourself and you can you can address irritants and you can be

you can address irritants and you can be

you can address irritants and you can be honest about what is happening with you

honest about what is happening with you

honest about what is happening with you and how you interact with the world and

and how you interact with the world and

and how you interact with the world and then there is the your public self where

then there is the your public self where

then there is the your public self where you’re much more conservative and you’re

you’re much more conservative and you’re

you’re much more conservative and you’re much less likely to voice your opinion

much less likely to voice your opinion

much less likely to voice your opinion and do something about it and engage the

and do something about it and engage the

and do something about it and engage the world in such a way that is positive and

world in such a way that is positive and

world in such a way that is positive and and meaningful so when you when you

and meaningful so when you when you

and meaningful so when you when you consider two realities what does that do

consider two realities what does that do

consider two realities what does that do to the concept of truth you can’t have

to the concept of truth you can’t have

to the concept of truth you can’t have two realities and then have a consistent

two realities and then have a consistent

two realities and then have a consistent truth right so something’s happening and

truth right so something’s happening and

truth right so something’s happening and what I would propose since I don’t have

what I would propose since I don’t have

what I would propose since I don’t have that long I could talk for hours on this

that long I could talk for hours on this

that long I could talk for hours on this is that what we’re doing is we’re

is that what we’re doing is we’re

is that what we’re doing is we’re inventing a substitute reality and

inventing a substitute reality and

inventing a substitute reality and imaginary reality that we’re conflating

imaginary reality that we’re conflating

imaginary reality that we’re conflating with real-life objects and people and

with real-life objects and people and

with real-life objects and people and situations and making them the same

situations and making them the same

situations and making them the same thing when they’re not okay so to put

thing when they’re not okay so to put

thing when they’re not okay so to put this in a way that is very easy for

this in a way that is very easy for

this in a way that is very easy for everybody to engage with we do with our

everybody to engage with we do with our

everybody to engage with we do with our money every single debt take for

money every single debt take for

money every single debt take for instance a penny which I know I have a

instance a penny which I know I have a

instance a penny which I know I have a penny in here somewhere

penny in here somewhere

penny in here somewhere I do so if you consider the penning it’s

I do so if you consider the penning it’s

I do so if you consider the penning it’s a scent right it’s both of those things

a scent right it’s both of those things

a scent right it’s both of those things but let’s break it down

but let’s break it down

but let’s break it down you have the physicality of the penny it

you have the physicality of the penny it

you have the physicality of the penny it has mass it’s a statement of fact it’s

has mass it’s a statement of fact it’s

has mass it’s a statement of fact it’s undeniable

undeniable

undeniable you can touch it you can really can

you can touch it you can really can

you can touch it you can really can actually see it but it is also a cent

actually see it but it is also a cent

actually see it but it is also a cent which is the imaginary value of the

which is the imaginary value of the

which is the imaginary value of the penny and we’ve conflated them to be the

penny and we’ve conflated them to be the

penny and we’ve conflated them to be the same thing and so what that does is it

same thing and so what that does is it

same thing and so what that does is it creates a situation where you think that

creates a situation where you think that

creates a situation where you think that you are actually perceiving your

you are actually perceiving your

you are actually perceiving your imagination when you look at a penny and

imagination when you look at a penny and

imagination when you look at a penny and that’s problematic because you’re seeing

that’s problematic because you’re seeing

that’s problematic because you’re seeing a fantasy and that is that that’s a lie

a fantasy and that is that that’s a lie

a fantasy and that is that that’s a lie and we do it with also with words we do

and we do it with also with words we do

and we do it with also with words we do it with words that turn into concepts

it with words that turn into concepts

it with words that turn into concepts they don’t have intrinsic value until

they don’t have intrinsic value until

they don’t have intrinsic value until they are labeled as such for you for

they are labeled as such for you for

they are labeled as such for you for example does anybody know what this is

did somebody say something oh well since

did somebody say something oh well since I have the microphone and I am

I have the microphone and I am

I have the microphone and I am all-powerful I will say what this is

all-powerful I will say what this is

all-powerful I will say what this is this is the Sanskrit word for inner

this is the Sanskrit word for inner

this is the Sanskrit word for inner peace is it inner peace no it is not

peace is it inner peace no it is not

peace is it inner peace no it is not inner peace it is a label that is used

inner peace it is a label that is used

inner peace it is a label that is used to represent inner peace and if you

to represent inner peace and if you

to represent inner peace and if you don’t have the ability to read this word

don’t have the ability to read this word

don’t have the ability to read this word then it is absolutely meaningless so

then it is absolutely meaningless so

then it is absolutely meaningless so therefore it has no intrinsic value

therefore it has no intrinsic value

therefore it has no intrinsic value until one is imagined on it if you

until one is imagined on it if you

until one is imagined on it if you consider a menu the words on a menu are

consider a menu the words on a menu are

consider a menu the words on a menu are drastically different than what you

drastically different than what you

drastically different than what you receive when you order from a menu only

receive when you order from a menu only

receive when you order from a menu only one of those things you can taste you

one of those things you can taste you

one of those things you can taste you can savor and is nourishing and the

can savor and is nourishing and the

can savor and is nourishing and the other is not if you don’t want to take

other is not if you don’t want to take

other is not if you don’t want to take my word for it let’s look at somebody

my word for it let’s look at somebody

my word for it let’s look at somebody who has more credibility than may Flo

who has more credibility than may Flo

who has more credibility than may Flo bear somebody heard it Flo bear human

bear somebody heard it Flo bear human

bear somebody heard it Flo bear human speech is like a cracked kettle on which

speech is like a cracked kettle on which

speech is like a cracked kettle on which we tap crude rhythms for bears to dance

we tap crude rhythms for bears to dance

we tap crude rhythms for bears to dance – while we long to make music they will

– while we long to make music they will

– while we long to make music they will melt the stars so it’s been going on for

melt the stars so it’s been going on for

melt the stars so it’s been going on for a long time this recognition of the the

a long time this recognition of the the

a long time this recognition of the the incongruity between what we think about

incongruity between what we think about

incongruity between what we think about something the concept of reality and the

something the concept of reality and the

something the concept of reality and the intrinsic experience of reality to give

intrinsic experience of reality to give

intrinsic experience of reality to give you one more analogy no matter how good

you one more analogy no matter how good

you one more analogy no matter how good the writing is reading about a roller

the writing is reading about a roller

the writing is reading about a roller coaster ride is never going to compare

coaster ride is never going to compare

coaster ride is never going to compare to the actual experience of riding a

to the actual experience of riding a

to the actual experience of riding a roller coaster okay we are speechless

roller coaster okay we are speechless

roller coaster okay we are speechless when we are riding a roller coaster and

when we are riding a roller coaster and

when we are riding a roller coaster and that’s the experience it’s not this

that’s the experience it’s not this

that’s the experience it’s not this right there are different things

right there are different things

right there are different things whoever says yippee anyway when you’re

whoever says yippee anyway when you’re

whoever says yippee anyway when you’re actually on a roller coaster now that I

actually on a roller coaster now that I

actually on a roller coaster now that I think about it I’m going to start doing

think about it I’m going to start doing

think about it I’m going to start doing that and there are other examples too

that and there are other examples too

that and there are other examples too you look at something like this this is

you look at something like this this is

you look at something like this this is green everybody understands what green

green everybody understands what green

green everybody understands what green is but it’s because you understand you

is but it’s because you understand you

is but it’s because you understand you know how to read this language this is

know how to read this language this is

know how to read this language this is the label this is the experience so they

the label this is the experience so they

the label this is the experience so they are two different things and sometimes

are two different things and sometimes

are two different things and sometimes as a cartoonist it’s my job to figure

as a cartoonist it’s my job to figure

as a cartoonist it’s my job to figure out what happens when you have these two

out what happens when you have these two

out what happens when you have these two conflated realities as they move along

conflated realities as they move along

conflated realities as they move along and then when they separate right

and then when they separate right

and then when they separate right because sometimes when you’re looking at

because sometimes when you’re looking at

because sometimes when you’re looking at a political cartoon or engaging in

a political cartoon or engaging in

a political cartoon or engaging in political conversation particularly

political conversation particularly

political conversation particularly currently it all starts to happen in

currently it all starts to happen in

currently it all starts to happen in here it starts to become this it’s

here it starts to become this it’s

here it starts to become this it’s either it’s it’s intellectualized hate

either it’s it’s intellectualized hate

either it’s it’s intellectualized hate you’re not feeling it here so I try to

you’re not feeling it here so I try to

you’re not feeling it here so I try to create cartoons that acknowledge this

create cartoons that acknowledge this

create cartoons that acknowledge this conflation between imaginary reality and

conflation between imaginary reality and

conflation between imaginary reality and real reality and then what happens when

real reality and then what happens when

real reality and then what happens when those two things separate what can we

those two things separate what can we

those two things separate what can we learn where do we go what resonates as

learn where do we go what resonates as

learn where do we go what resonates as truth for us so consider this we have a

truth for us so consider this we have a

truth for us so consider this we have a murder

murder

murder we have massacre

we have genocide and then we have

we have genocide and then we have investment opportunities okay so it’s

investment opportunities okay so it’s

investment opportunities okay so it’s the same it’s the concept and it’s the

the same it’s the concept and it’s the

the same it’s the concept and it’s the experience it’s the concept and then

experience it’s the concept and then

experience it’s the concept and then it’s the experience and there’s that

it’s the experience and there’s that

it’s the experience and there’s that difference so then the question becomes

difference so then the question becomes

difference so then the question becomes how do we devise a way of recognizing

how do we devise a way of recognizing

how do we devise a way of recognizing those differences between the intrinsic

those differences between the intrinsic

those differences between the intrinsic reality and the conceptual reality okay

reality and the conceptual reality okay

reality and the conceptual reality okay because when you’re looking at a penny

because when you’re looking at a penny

because when you’re looking at a penny going back to the penny analogy a penny

going back to the penny analogy a penny

going back to the penny analogy a penny only has value to me because it has

only has value to me because it has

only has value to me because it has value to you right if you didn’t

value to you right if you didn’t

value to you right if you didn’t recognize the value of a cent it would

recognize the value of a cent it would

recognize the value of a cent it would just be meaningless and so what do we do

just be meaningless and so what do we do

just be meaningless and so what do we do what are what are we doing to perpetuate

what are what are we doing to perpetuate

what are what are we doing to perpetuate this idea that our imaginations have

this idea that our imaginations have

this idea that our imaginations have credibility as reality how does that get

credibility as reality how does that get

credibility as reality how does that get perpetuated it gets perpetuated by

perpetuated it gets perpetuated by

perpetuated it gets perpetuated by creating narrow mythologies that

creating narrow mythologies that

creating narrow mythologies that everybody or the majority can agree is a

everybody or the majority can agree is a

everybody or the majority can agree is a viable truth that we should all abide by

viable truth that we should all abide by

viable truth that we should all abide by and so when that happens you end up with

and so when that happens you end up with

and so when that happens you end up with a very over simplistic notion about what

a very over simplistic notion about what

a very over simplistic notion about what your responsibilities are in a society

your responsibilities are in a society

your responsibilities are in a society you create ideas about us and then you

you create ideas about us and then you

you create ideas about us and then you vilify people you turn yourself into a

vilify people you turn yourself into a

vilify people you turn yourself into a hero so there is a way to recognize how

hero so there is a way to recognize how

hero so there is a way to recognize how to separate these two things at least I

to separate these two things at least I

to separate these two things at least I think so

think so

think so and what that thing is is empathy

and what that thing is is empathy

and what that thing is is empathy because you do not require empathy to

because you do not require empathy to

because you do not require empathy to recognize the value of ascent but you do

recognize the value of ascent but you do

recognize the value of ascent but you do require empathy to recognize the value

require empathy to recognize the value

require empathy to recognize the value of another human being and even of

of another human being and even of

of another human being and even of yourself or of the environment and you

yourself or of the environment and you

yourself or of the environment and you can tell the difference it’s not a

can tell the difference it’s not a

can tell the difference it’s not a decision it’s an experience and you know

decision it’s an experience and you know

decision it’s an experience and you know what is true and what is so

what is true and what is so

what is true and what is so my job often as a political cartoonist

my job often as a political cartoonist

my job often as a political cartoonist is to avoid the left side of the aisle

is to avoid the left side of the aisle

is to avoid the left side of the aisle and the right side of the aisle and look

and the right side of the aisle and look

and the right side of the aisle and look for what makes us all human it’s finding

for what makes us all human it’s finding

for what makes us all human it’s finding this MP this empathy so I’m going to

this MP this empathy so I’m going to

this MP this empathy so I’m going to show a couple more images that rather

show a couple more images that rather

show a couple more images that rather than blab and say this is this and this

than blab and say this is this and this

than blab and say this is this and this is that none of them have gag lines just

is that none of them have gag lines just

is that none of them have gag lines just see if there’s something that resonates

see if there’s something that resonates

see if there’s something that resonates inside these images for you that

inside these images for you that

inside these images for you that provides a truth or an experience or

provides a truth or an experience or

provides a truth or an experience or creates an itch or scratches in it

and this is one that I will actually say

and this is one that I will actually say a few words about just Eve context this

a few words about just Eve context this

a few words about just Eve context this last summer I was tasked with the job by

last summer I was tasked with the job by

last summer I was tasked with the job by TruthDig comm who I often work for to

TruthDig comm who I often work for to

TruthDig comm who I often work for to cover the National the Democratic

cover the National the Democratic

cover the National the Democratic National Convention here in the city and

National Convention here in the city and

National Convention here in the city and the idea was that I would go and I would

the idea was that I would go and I would

the idea was that I would go and I would attend and I would be a snarky political

attend and I would be a snarky political

attend and I would be a snarky political cartoonist and create really funny

cartoonist and create really funny

cartoonist and create really funny images about the circus that was

images about the circus that was

images about the circus that was happening in this town I had every

happening in this town I had every

happening in this town I had every intention of doing that but putting

intention of doing that but putting

intention of doing that but putting yourself into a situation and seeing

yourself into a situation and seeing

yourself into a situation and seeing other human beings around you changes

other human beings around you changes

other human beings around you changes your responsibility we start to

your responsibility we start to

your responsibility we start to recognize the humanity so I found myself

recognize the humanity so I found myself

recognize the humanity so I found myself at Dilworth Park just outside of City

at Dilworth Park just outside of City

at Dilworth Park just outside of City Hall which have you ever seen it in the

Hall which have you ever seen it in the

Hall which have you ever seen it in the summer time it’s turned the plaza is

summer time it’s turned the plaza is

summer time it’s turned the plaza is turned into interactive fountains and

turned into interactive fountains and

turned into interactive fountains and you children come and they play many

you children come and they play many

you children come and they play many inner-city kids just that’s their entire

inner-city kids just that’s their entire

inner-city kids just that’s their entire day it’s just playing

day it’s just playing

day it’s just playing among these fountains so I found myself

among these fountains so I found myself

among these fountains so I found myself focusing on these two boys and they were

focusing on these two boys and they were

focusing on these two boys and they were brothers and they were completely

brothers and they were completely

brothers and they were completely engaged in play and it was precious and

engaged in play and it was precious and

engaged in play and it was precious and it demonstrated a vulnerability that we

it demonstrated a vulnerability that we

it demonstrated a vulnerability that we all need to be reminded about it was

all need to be reminded about it was

all need to be reminded about it was beautiful what I didn’t have in this

beautiful what I didn’t have in this

beautiful what I didn’t have in this image other than the other children I

image other than the other children I

image other than the other children I pulled out and the convention goers and

pulled out and the convention goers and

pulled out and the convention goers and protestors off to the side maybe by 15

protestors off to the side maybe by 15

protestors off to the side maybe by 15 feet was a chapter of the Westboro

feet was a chapter of the Westboro

feet was a chapter of the Westboro Baptist Church if you don’t know who

Baptist Church if you don’t know who

Baptist Church if you don’t know who they are they enjoy screaming through

they are they enjoy screaming through

they are they enjoy screaming through megaphones about how God hates

megaphones about how God hates

megaphones about how God hates Muslims Catholics Jews screaming and

Muslims Catholics Jews screaming and

Muslims Catholics Jews screaming and what was meaningful and precious about

what was meaningful and precious about

what was meaningful and precious about this seemed to me was this deep

this seemed to me was this deep

this seemed to me was this deep significance of this human activity and

significance of this human activity and

significance of this human activity and that this is what is going to sustain us

that this is what is going to sustain us

that this is what is going to sustain us it’s not about figuring out the right

it’s not about figuring out the right

it’s not about figuring out the right way to play our politics it’s

way to play our politics it’s

way to play our politics it’s recognition of the human heart and

recognition of the human heart and

recognition of the human heart and recognition of

recognition of

recognition of the empathy that is the only thing

the empathy that is the only thing

the empathy that is the only thing that’s going to give us cohesion as a

that’s going to give us cohesion as a

that’s going to give us cohesion as a species start thinking about us as a

species start thinking about us as a

species start thinking about us as a species so that’s what I wanted to

species so that’s what I wanted to

species so that’s what I wanted to capture with that image because until we

capture with that image because until we

capture with that image because until we figure out the preciousness and the

figure out the preciousness and the

figure out the preciousness and the vulnerability of what we are just as

vulnerability of what we are just as

vulnerability of what we are just as beings we’re always going to be at risk

beings we’re always going to be at risk

beings we’re always going to be at risk from people who want to cheapen us into

from people who want to cheapen us into

from people who want to cheapen us into something else

something else

something else so if there’s nothing else that you

so if there’s nothing else that you

so if there’s nothing else that you leave with from me this afternoon leave

leave with from me this afternoon leave

leave with from me this afternoon leave with this never recognize this as music

with this never recognize this as music

with this never recognize this as music don’t trick yourself into seeing this

don’t trick yourself into seeing this

don’t trick yourself into seeing this and saying it is music your literacy

and saying it is music your literacy

and saying it is music your literacy will tell you that you’re looking at

will tell you that you’re looking at

will tell you that you’re looking at music because if this is music to you

music because if this is music to you

music because if this is music to you and you accept this as the definition of

and you accept this as the definition of

and you accept this as the definition of music you will miss the opportunity to

music you will miss the opportunity to

music you will miss the opportunity to sing and you will miss the opportunity

sing and you will miss the opportunity

sing and you will miss the opportunity to hear other people saying and if you

to hear other people saying and if you

to hear other people saying and if you do that the great tragedy is you miss

do that the great tragedy is you miss

do that the great tragedy is you miss the opportunity to dance and if you miss

the opportunity to dance and if you miss

the opportunity to dance and if you miss the opportunity to dance then you miss

the opportunity to dance then you miss

the opportunity to dance then you miss what it really truly means to be

what it really truly means to be

what it really truly means to be speechless

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]