IconII

IconII

We are the writers of our own history
We are the witnesses of change
Both good and bad
And we are taking part in it ourselves
We record the timelines
And we make men into immortals

What is the most important event of your lifetime?

We are living in the history books of our children
We are on the edges and in the margins
We are writing the stories that they will study one day
What legacy will you leave for them?

We are fighting to offer them a better world
Just as our parents did for us
And their parents for them

Take up arms, be the catalyst
Burn down the bureaucratic hypocrisy that controls our lives
Write your own story to pass on to those who need it most
Just like we have needed the stories of those before us
Pass on the strength that you have pulled from your predecessors
Light a fire in the hearts of a new generation

Write a story of revolution
Write a story that you can be proud to look back on
Become an immortal in your own right

First, I would like to discuss the title of this piece. It is titled “IconII” because it is the second icon in the series. Where “IconI” was based off a religious icon, this piece is based off a pop icon. Presidents in the modern day, and throughout history have been a part of pop culture. Obama is no exception, especially among the youth of today. Obama’s online campaign and mobilization of youth voters contributed greatly to this fact. Queer art often focuses on politics, and the ways the government is working and changing. The fact that Obama has been elected is monumental. It is one of the biggest and most historical things to happen in my lifetime. This fact makes me reflect on Dorothy Allison’s recent visit to our campus. She told us that we are writing history right now. We have to keep record of our lives so we can teach the generations after us about them. This is a small part of my own record keeping.