Molly Jackson: Politics, Comics… and Mine!
If you’re a regular reader of ComicMix, then by now you’ve got to know about Mine!, the comics collection we are doing to support Planned Parenthood. If you just shook your head at the screen, please take a minute to read yesterday’s column from my co-editor and fellow ComicMix columnist Joe Corallo.
All caught up? Perfect.
With everything happening in the world today, a comic doesn’t seem like the answer. I mean, we can do so many things. Why a comic book?
Here’s why. Comics, like all forms of art, is a voice of expression. We use these to amplify our thoughts, feelings, and political opinions. But comics are special in that we can tell a story. We can tell the stories of those deeply affected by the choices made by the current administration. We can tell the stories of the heroes of the cause from the past, and the current day. Sharing the history of why we fight and who we fight for.
Comics have long carried the banner of activism. The most powerful being Martin Luther King and the Montgomery Story, which was published by civil rights groups in 1957. Telling the story of the fight for equality, it has since been published in multiple languages all over the world. This comic became the inspiration for many to fight for equal rights and served as a primer for millions on non-violent resistance. More recently, Love is Love is an LGBT comic anthology that benefited the victims of the Pulse shooting. It served as a way to share the stories of the LGBT community, educating others on their experiences while memorializing those lost on that tragic day.
Mine! is no different. Both Joe and I want to share the stories of the people who work with or use the services of Planned Parenthood every day. These are the everyday people in your life. Your best friend, your sister, your co-worker, and your grouchy neighbor. By educating others about the work of Planned Parenthood, we can achieve reproductive rights for all.
So I hope that you join us on this journey. I promise that this collection will entertain as well as educate. With everything happening today, we need to be aware. Not just on current events but the history behind them. Take a moment to check out the Kickstarter and support a great cause. You’ll be glad you did.
Molly, as I wrote on Joe’s column, I e-mailed friends and family, asking them to donate. Well, with my family I TOLD them to donate, and when Rosh Hashonah rolls around, and I find out that they didn’t…I will have to repent A LOT on Yom Kippur! :-)
Also posted it on Facebook, and shared it.
Spreading the word!