Still Functioning Quotes

“Every time a court pushes back against the looming autocracy,
we celebrate.
But the looming autocracy often
ignores the ruling of the courts.

The question, day by day, becomes
how well are all the institutions
we need, we trust, we rely on
still functioning?
The answer, day by day, becomes
only as well as the looming autocracy
feels and hears and responds
to the pushback against their destruction.”
― Shellen Lubin

“We artists can't be stopped because we live and breathe
to speak our truth
to write our truth
to paint, and sing, and dance
what we see,
what we feel,
what we know inside.
And we will always keep trying
to find a way to
reach some kind of audience,
even if it's in a dingy basement.

And for those whose art is the jest?
Our beloved jesters
(can they eliminate the comedians' platforms)?
They dance on the line between reportage and art.
But they may be the most dangerous of all
to the looming autocracy,
because they make people laugh at the king
(the one thing he most cannot stand).
And as the people laugh, they're also learning the truth:
the king has no clothes.”
― Shellen Lubin