Early in this project I knew I wanted to draw as a response to my findings. I did not want to pretend I am something I am not. It was also important that i created something that spoke frankly but with kindness.
My process of making comics is very chaotic, I will not try to write a script for everything. Instead, I wrote down a list of bullet points of themes, and I intend to just draw with that in mind to see what visuals reveal themselves.
List of themes:
- Social justice work is like building a staircase
- People piling social justice onto individuals over sharing the labour (rejection)
- People not wanting to take accountability (fragility)
- People witnessing but ignoring (lack of care)
- Social Justice is not a… meeting, an acknowledgement, a policy
- Ingredients: Transparency, Accountability and Care
- Social Justice work can be slow, but it shouldn’t take forever.
- It is not something you can postpone out of fear, it is something you must face with honesty. Ask for help!
- Getting another person to handle the social justice work is not asking for help, it is avoidance.
- Asking for help could include coaching so that you can face the social justice work.
- Theory is more than just interesting reads.
- If you agree with the theoretical, put it into practice.
- You will never feel “safe” or “comfortable” before doing Social Justice Work.
My previous comic work:
Excerpts from my series “Demon Faggots”
I am very used to my work being very sarcastic and a bit crass, so finding the kind and more sincere tone of voice would be new. Also avoiding turning the imagery into sexual innuendos.
Inspirations: Sam Wallman
Image of two of Sam Wallmans books that I have used as inspiration.
I used cartoonist Sam Wallman as a reference for my outcome. He works mainly with workers unions and workers’ rights, and he does not sugar coat anything. I find the way he talks really inspiring, and I hope my comics will have a similar sense of passion and clarity.
First Comic: A Star
As a test I created this first idea as a sort of reminder to keep trying. This is very much based on my final conversation with Miriam, reminding myself to have hope. I am quite happy with it.
Now onto drawing the rest. I will try my best to have all comics finished by the final presentation, but some of them will probably be presented in sketch form rather than with polish.