Lori Rhodes Art on Volunteerism and Front Line Workers
We knew 2020 would be challenging because the 2020 election was heating up and democracy was literally at stake. Then came the pandemic, the #blacklivesmatter racial reckoning, and white supremacy topping the charts of the USA’s greatest terrorism threat. Forget the enemies outside our borders — we were being beaten by forces from within.
Today, 15 days after the Presidential election was called for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, I sit here and reflect on all that was and is at stake, and consider how this election was won. It is both astounding and powerful. Astounding, because more Americans voted in the 2020 election than in any other in more than 100 years: nearly 65 percent of the voting-eligible population cast their ballot. And powerful, because this success would not have been achieved without thousands of activist volunteers who worked tirelessly to get out the vote, to make sure every voice that wanted to be heard was heard. Singular in purpose and determined as hell, these volunteers went to battle for the future or our country. On election day, the good side won. But our battles continue.
Yesterday, the US reported a staggering Covid-19 “record” of more than 184,000 NEW daily cases. The death toll is teetering on one-quarter million. That this horrific result comes from a well-resourced and rich country like the United States is unacceptable. Today, with at least three promising vaccines in Phase 3 testing, it is simply not fast enough: the burden of early inaction by the current administration weighs still on every American, most especially for every single frontline worker and their families.
In spite of many Americans unwilling to wear a mask for the greater good, front-line workers showed up for work every day to take care of us. Whether we had done our best to help stop the spread or ignored science at everyone’s peril, they took care of us. Whether we hosted or attended a super-spreader event, or stayed home, they took care of us. The frontline workers have kept working through all of the selfishness and disrespect shown them - all in spite of their own fears, and the fears for the future of their own families.
Putting your life and your family’s life at risk because you are on the front lines is brave and selfless. That front line workers have done this, relentlessly, for nine months, is unbelievable. That the pandemic is getting worse than ever, is heartbreaking. The magnitude of their risk and sacrifice is remarkable. I am not sure how they do this.
I am so grateful to the activist volunteers and front line workers who spirit us forward with passion and purpose, their commitment to protecting and preserving personal freedoms and livelihoods. These incredible people have worked for us as if their own lives depended on it - and in the case of front line workers, their lives do depend on it. To say they have respect and gratitude seems not enough. How do we possibly thank them?
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What has helped you to navigate 2020? Each of us has had our own challenges to manage through the year. There are so many stories of adjustment, loss, compassion, resistance, kindness and love that will come forth in the future. My personal challenges pale by comparison to so many, and yet they were real to me. Staying connected to friends and family via Zoom certainly helped. However, with so much quiet time on my hands, retreating to my art studio has been a lifeline. For the multiple artist groups I am a member of, I am grateful — I have been touched by their generosity of spirit and their camaraderie. I will talk more about them in future blog posts.
In the meantime, here is my latest painting Rise! It was finished the day before Joe Biden was announced as our President Elect. Details about it are here.
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