The Revolution Will Be Televised: The Conservative Pop-Culture Problem

Recently, RedState editor Ben Howe published a piece on the site Buzzfeed where he critiques a 'Tea party' film currently in production. His actions have come under attack a few reasons. One: Buzzfeed is a liberal-leaning site and some fear Howe has played into their hands. Two: Some question the fairness of voicing a negative opinion of a conservatively-themed film before it's even finished. I'm not discounting the fact that Buzzfeed may spin this, because that's what they do, but there is validity in critique when it comes to how conservatives approach pop culture.

Conservatives, whether it be the Republican party or the Tea party, have a little bit of a messaging problem. We can't seem to get a foothold in pop culture aside from being the constant butt of jokes. Our 'establishment' culture has abandoned the creative building blocks of pop culture and this is the root of the problem. Because of our unwillingness to be open to new ideas, we have become the old crotchety fogies they think we are.

When you think of conservative art, what do you think? Chances are you see an airbrushed-looking painting, saturated tones of crimson and sapphire, with a bald eagle and American flag. There may be a motorcycle or muscle car involved, perhaps some camouflage or sun rays and praying hands. The whole thing is just a hop, skip, and jump from a Confederate flag decal in the back of a hopped-up 4X4. But when liberals see art, or the art that promotes their views, it's nothing like this. They have an open mind and vast palette. They have their ears to the ground and they see the trends coming. They're not always hobbled by iconic cliches.

How about conservative music? It's usually country in genre, which isn't terrible, but that's all we can seem to get. What about the millions of people out there who like other types of music? They're bombarded by an unwavering stream of sex, drugs, and liberal propaganda. Why is it so hard to present a conservative message in a song that doesn't also contain references to John Deere tractors and pickup trucks?

Why are conservatives so set on presenting themselves like this? Art, design, music, film, and literature isn't always practiced by liberal minds. Case in point, myself. I'm an artist and designer and I'm not a liberal. I have creative friends who aren't liberals. Where is the local, regional, and national backing for our efforts? Oh, that's right, nowhere. Where are the candidates who wish to work with designers, photographers, and PR people who ride the cutting-edge waves of creativity? They're still content to try and do these things on their own or use design/PR firms who crank out antiquated designs and are quite possibly sabotaging the candidate because of their political views.

Look conservatives, it's time to wake up and have a bold cup of truth java (and a slap in the face). If we don't start taking this pop culture thing seriously, we're headed for the scrap heap. That means we have to start giving credence to the new voices in our midst, those who don't just want to smack a flag on something and call it good. It's time to find our George Clooney's, Beyoncés, and Shepard Faireys. We have to engage pop culture on its turf and that means bending our ancient rules a little. Be smart, be edgy, and the people will respond.

So in closing, I don't hold Ben Howe's actions against him. He saw something embarrassing (and possibly really damaging) in what these filmmakers are doing and he called them out on it. He called us out on it too. We're in the middle of a bloody culture war here and though it's never good to have dissension in the ranks, sometimes tactics have to change for the tides to turn. Could the forum been a little less hostile, sure, but these days there's really no use in preaching to the choir, especially when the entire church seems to be asleep.

A New Year for Old Blessings

I made a pie recently, one that required chunks of dark chocolate. I had a bar of 90% cacao and just had to use it. I dug from the kitchen drawer a little grating tool, loaded the chunks of chocolate, and started grating. Some time later, I gave up on this method, only producing chocolate dust instead of chunks and fussing far too much with what should have been a simple tool. I made my pie and set about washing up. That's when I noticed it, the little hole in the middle bar of the grater, the hole where the pin was supposed to go. The pin would have held things in place better and would have changed my workflow completely.

We work so hard sometimes to merely function in this world we forget the little tools we've been given to make things easier. Fact is, things will only turn out the way we want them if we use those tools. We don't always take pride in the talents we have and we don't always think them valuable, but they are there for a reason. Days go by and we function, but not to the best of our ability. We either forget the armor and weapons we possess or spend all our time wishing we had those that belong to others.

Each of us have an assortment of talents, experiences, and knowledge that is unique to us. If you're a writer, don't despair because of the number of writers out there. None of them put words to a page the way you do. If you are in new media, the vast untamed world that it is, don't make notoriety your number one focus. Instead, make your focus the truth, put your weight behind integrity. Notoriety can follow and if it does, you'll be better equipped to handle it and use it properly. If you're like me, a creative of the visual nature, follow that little flame you have in your soul. It's there to guide you because it knows you. Don't worry about the other people in your field, what they're doing and whether or not they accept you. Their linchpin won't fit your life anyway.

And in politics, using your gifts becomes even more important. We're at a tenuous time in the history of our great nation. Politicians, like so many of us, have become obsessed by reputation and reward, forsaking character completely. What is character if not using the great gifts we've been given of talent and experience for good? That is what we need now, people with knowledge, real, tested practices that change things for the better. They're out there; folks not only with those gifts, but blessed with courage, something you must have to fight a battle like this.

A new year is a time for new beginnings, but it's also a time to learn from the past. Look ahead to 2013 with renewed faith of someone who is blessed to be alive. Not just that, but as someone who is blessed with so much to share. Remember, your gifts are unique to you. Use them and you will be very surprised how much easier things can be. And once you've learned to use what you have, teach others to use what they have. I know it would have been helpful for someone to dig that little pin out of the drawer and hand it me. Time saved indeed.

Gratitude in the Wake of Defeat

I will say what so many of us may be feeling this Thanksgiving; it's hard to be thankful for things when the world is in the state it's in. Obama gets another 4 years to take a wrecking ball to freedom, unemployment continues to be a huge and painful issue, Israel is under constant attack, and the majority of Americans only seem to care about the latest iGadget or what the celebrities are up to. We fought the fight in this election and we lost. Yes, it's hard to have something leap to mind where thankfulness is concerned.

But we must pause and take stock of things from the ground up. If we have a warm home in which to sleep, we should be thankful. If we are one of the lucky few to have a good job, we should give thanks. If we have food that isn't purchased by food stamps, that's nothing to sneeze at. If we have our health, we are blessed. If you start small and basic, you see it's not that bad after all. And you know what else you see, you see the war isn't even close to over.

Over the past weeks, I've done a lot of soul searching. I was devastated on election night. I admit to having a bit of a panic attack and sleeping was very difficult. I felt like the last volley had been issued and our stand against socialism was over. Capitalism was dead; freedom was dead. But as the days progressed, I saw the soldiers slowly drag themselves from the dirt. We began to regroup and count our losses. We gained a lot in this election, though it's hard to see. We gained, first and foremost, fortitude. We learned exactly what must be done to outwit our enemy, this election showing us some of the final pieces of the plan. Our strength to keep going, even after such a defeat, shows we are far from surrender. Fortitude is important, perhaps more important than almost anything in a fight like this.

In my own life, I struggle with many desires and disappointments. If not for fortitude, the willingness to keep going and above all, keep going as who I am, I wouldn't be where I am today. When outnumbered, it's easy to defect. People want to be on the side that's winning. But what is victory if gained at the cost of one's integrity and faith? I watch people succeed in my field on sheer gimmick alone while I struggle to gain a footing in the industry with nearly 10 years of experience and a lifetime of creative talent. People say, "You just don't know the right people," or "You don't act or look like a popular designer." My own husband has suggested I adopt an alias, someone with a hyperbolic past, some piercings, and maybe an 'alternative lifestyle'. It would seem, as in today's politics, how you appear is far more important than your actual capabilities. Yes, when you're on the outside looking in, defection sounds so very simple.

But I have held fast, resisting the temptation to sacrifice who I am for hollow praise. And we brave conservatives stand strong as well. Our fortitude has not allowed us the easy escape of surrender and that's something to be very thankful for. Things are far from good in America, but you can take solace in this: we will not give up. When the odds are against you, in your personal life or otherwise, take strength from the things for which you give thanks. Take strength from your family, from your ability to persevere, from your stalwart individuality in a world where abnormal is the new normal. Don't make excuses and don't take the easy road. All good things come at a price; be thankful you have the richness of faith to pay it.

Happy Thanksgiving America, the greatest nation on earth. God bless!

Be the Standard Bearer

It looks like a Peter Max tribute gone wrong. This is far from pleasing, with the blood-smear-like stripes and sheepish "O" with lines a bit too crisp to match the rest of the design. The colors are faded, like his posters and peeling bumper stickers. The thing is just ugly, but it's far more than that.

The U.S. flag code is usually ignored, save for the most patriotic and of course, the military. Most of it isn't even known to the average person. The code isn't punishable by law and thusly, viewed as more of a suggestion by most. Our flag code prohibits defacing of the flag, use of the flag on merchandise and even clothing. Olympians draping the flag on their shoulders has become accepted, but such things are discouraged by the code. What Obama's cronies have done here is not a 're-design' of our flag, as it has only 7 stripes and is the wrong colors, but rather a vague representation. That, in itself, isn't the issue as this is done quite often. The issue is the "O".

Anyone who argues in defense of Obama's throw-away campaign fund-raising poster is unlikely to get the offense. They see an 'inspirational' image much like Shepard Fairey's HOPE poster. They don't see the implications, the fact, much like this flag from earlier in the year, that Obama is the focus in an emblem of this country. Obama is the focus, the grounding element. This, dear reader, is huge.

Since his nationwide debut, Obama has been setting himself up as the leader of a political cult. He's 'branded' everything, put his creepy "O" on all he surveyed. Obama sees himself as the owner of his position, something only on privileged loan to him. He sees himself as appointed royalty when any political office is one of subservience to the American people (or it's supposed to be). To Obama and those around him, he is America. There is no need for the 'generic' patriotism of the past, Obama is here and we have a face to worship, a person to place above all others.

What's lost on Obama's acolytes is that the American flag is a symbol of all of us. It is a timeless banner of freedom and sacrifice. It affords everyone the opportunity for valor and independence. To place any one person in focus in reference to the flag is an assault on everyone. Venerating any one person or the idea of one person in a political sense is just a hop, skip, and stumble into dictatorship. The flag came first because freedom came first.

There may be some who believe America to be incapable of recovery. There are some who believe the cult of personality is too strong. I don't believe that. Though frightening in its implications, this 'flag' is a misguided stab at notoriety that won't last past November. It will be tossed out or end up at yard sales or thrift stores. The intention behind it, however, is a bit harder to sweep away. It's important for us, those who know what the flag truly means, to fight for those ideals. We cannot give up and run from the war. Since the founding of our great nation, standard bearers have carried our flag into battle. They have run headlong into the firefight and been cut down, but someone was always there to grab our banner from the mud and keep running. Be the standard bearer and hold her high; this fight is far from over.

Fading Posters and Empty Chairs

The 2012 RNC was an eventful one. We heard a lot of stories, learned a lot about Mitt Romney the man, and came away with a number of powerful images. Thanks to Paul Ryan and Clint Eastwood, we have two images that paint a perfect picture of this administration. I sat down this afternoon and sketched what my mind sees when I think of fading posters and empty chairs.

This country needs a jump start. We need to dust off and let our exceptionalism show. It's time.

Be a Happy Warrior

 Happy Warrior

Original vector art tribute

to Andrew Breitbart

Andrew Breitbart was a brave man, there was no denying it. Andrew wrote in an amended conclusion to his book Righteous Indignation, "Three years ago, I was mostly a behind-the-scenes guy who linked to stuff on a very popular website. I always wondered what it would be like to enter the public realm to fight for what I believe in. I’ve lost friends, perhaps dozens. But I’ve gained hundreds, thousands—who knows?—of allies. At the end of the day, I can look at myself in the mirror, and I sleep very well at night." They key here is that he was true to himself, the hypocritical world be damned.

I'm not as brave as he was, not yet. As an artist and graphic designer, I face a lot of opposition to my political beliefs. I keep my thoughts to myself for fear of being ostracized, something that could literally kill my career. There have been times when I was really incensed about something, the words dangling burning my tongue. But I said nothing. The fear of what could happen to me if people knew was just too strong. I had this blog, railed like a maniac on Twitter, but kept these things as separate from my professional life as possible. In the wake of Andrew's death, I'm ashamed of my cowardice.

I want to scale the tallest building in my city and yell it to the masses; I'm a conservative artist! I want people to know there's nothing wrong with expecting others to have personal responsibility, believing in fiscal independence and the sanctity of all life, and respecting the sacrifice of the military. The constitution of this great nation states I can have my beliefs just as they can have theirs. What I feel doesn't make me stupid and it doesn't make me a monster. My conservatism doesn't mean I'm any less talented as an artist. I make an effort to be kind to those with whom I disagree, to not make snap judgements. I dream of the day when my convictions won't be a detriment to my professional credibility.

Andrew Breitbart's passing has hit me harder than I expected. I share this today as a step on my way to true bravery. My name is Rachael and I'm a conservative. I will fight how I can. I will try to be a happy warrior.

Rest in Peace Andrew Breitbart

"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." -Marcus Aurelius

In the 2000 film Gladiator, former Roman general Maximus has a conversation with his gladiatorial leader Proximo. The older man spoke of meeting the great Marcus Aurelius. This had been the day he won his freedom. Maximus laughs and asks sarcastically, "You knew Marcus Aurelius?". Maximus had been close to Aurelius. Defensively, Proximo answers, "I didn't say I knew him, I said he touched me on the shoulder once!"

There are great warriors and brilliant people on this earth. Most of us will never have the pleasure of meeting them, let alone know them as friends. But the great ones don't have to share with us a deep relationship to touch us in a profound way. Andrew Breitbart was one of those people.

I never met Andrew, knowing him only by his efforts. I did interact with him a few times on Twitter and felt blessed to do so. I guess you could say he figuratively touched me on the shoulder once. He was brave, unashamed, and kind though many of his opponents would say otherwise. Andrew wasn't afraid to tell the truth in a world where the truth is only acceptable as long as it shields the right people from harm. He led a crusade against the bias of the media the way a great general leads men into battle.

Andrew was liked by many and shared his life with a wife and children whom he loved very much. His family will never be the same without him. We will never be the same without him. But we must soldier on. We must keep up the good fight for Andrew.

Marcus Aurelius said, "Let it be your constant method to look into the design of people's actions, and see what they would be at, as often as it is practicable; and to make this custom the more significant, practice it first upon yourself." Andrew Breitbart searched himself, readied himself for battle, and charged ahead. We must do the same in his honor and for the future of this country.