Martin Luther King, Jr. has an image that we all know very well. He is still alive with much esteem and fervor. What he stood for and spoke out on gave our country a direction for hope, change and community. His face will never be misconstrued in identity for someone else, and we can all recognize not only his voice when giving his speeches but also his passion in his stature and posture.

Looking back at the last few elections, many Americans feel duped. Al Gore winning the ‘popular vote’ yet not being in office makes a rubix cube seem simple. With that and other deceiving actions led by our current governmental body relinquishes any hope that the single vote can actually matter.

So how does a creative play a role in the bettering of one’s community for change? The best I can think of (being a registered voter since the age of 18) is to get as many people to register and vote with my visual communication skills and knowledge. Change can happen and will with the proper things in place.

I find myself to not only be a multi-media producer, but also an artist. As an artist with the skills I possess and implement, I feel it my responsibility to utilize them for the bettering of our society through visual communication and education. One example of achievement through a design medium is the Walker Art Center’s project: My Yard Our Message. A few examples of poster designs from this competition;

So you get the idea … its quite simple actually. My intent in a future project is to expose visual symbols and messages to the underprivelaged, “un”wealthy, MISeducated, segregated area of my town and possibly others around me. It is the 8,499 South Atlantic Black voters that I am interested in. In 2006, 61.8% were registered, yet 38.7% actually voted.

[Source: U.S. Census Bureau].

“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent.”

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Tags: 2009 vote, election, graphic design, martin luther king jr., my yard our message, presidential election, segregation, visual communication, vote, walker art center