by Jonathan Slaff

NEW YORK, November 21, 2024 -- If you are reading this, then I know you are probably part of the arts community in New York (and vicinity). And you are probably not sleeping well, depressed by the outcome of the election, wondering what you can do to resist the approaching Orwellian nightmare. Let me tell you an instructive story from a time when a previous disaster enveloped us with feelings of destruction, fear and hopelessness--the 9/11 attacks.

About a week after that nightmarish day, I attended a meeting at the American Airlines Theater, to which the heads of theaters in NYC were called to meet with a selection of State and City officials on how to respond to the tragedy. Lower Manhattan was quarantined and I was expecting them to tell us they needed us to close our theaters and wait out the crisis. Quite the opposite.

We met with Schuyler Chapin, who was Commissioner of Cultural Affairs under Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and Richard J. Schwartz, who had been appointed by Governor George Pataki as Chairman of the New York State Council on the Arts. They said that they understood how theater managers would want to make sacrifices for the sake of the City, to put aside their theatrical work and apply their executive abilities and resources to emergency services and rebuilding. While that sentiment was admirable, they said, there were already people in place who would do that. We had civil servants and government employees who were smart as hell, dedicated, experienced and well-trained. They were ready to go and had been waiting for this opportunity to shine. Our job, they said, was to keep the theaters open.

Wha?

It was like the London blitz during World War II, they explained. The theaters remained open so the country could maintain a sense of normalcy, providing a significant source of morale, resilience, and cultural unity during a time of immense hardship. It contributed to the overall British attitude of "Blitz Spirit" -- courage and endurance in the face of adversity. This was a strategic move that went far beyond entertainment. The theaters were a cultural and psychological lifeline for Londoners, helping them endure the war with strength, hope, and a sense of collective identity.

After that pep talk, we 21st century New Yorkers reopened as many theaters as we could, as quickly as we could. It was our job.

Today, America is faced with an analogous challenge. In the face of authoritarianism, the arts will play a key role in reinforcing American identity and pride, showcasing American culture, maintaining cultural continuity and offering cultural acts of resistance.

One way is by fostering empathy and human connection. Theater, literature, and film allow people to see the world through the eyes of others, creating empathy across political, racial, and social divides. This emotional connection makes it harder for authoritarian regimes to dehumanize marginalized groups.

Another is by subverting censorship. Art has a unique ability to communicate subtly and symbolically. When direct criticism is stifled, artists use metaphor, allegory, and symbolism to convey dissenting ideas, fostering a culture that values questioning over blind acceptance.

This is why the cultural community is so influential. The arts encourage critical thinking, question dominant narratives and provide alternative perspectives. Art that focuses on individual stories or portrays the struggles of ordinary people can counteract the dehumanizing rhetoric of authoritarianism. Personal stories make abstract political concepts relatable, fostering solidarity and understanding. Comedy, satire and political cartoons can critique authority without being overtly confrontational, using humor to undermine the legitimacy of oppressive powers. This can make critique more accessible to a wider audience and reduce fear of backlash. Art also serves as a cultural archive, preserving stories of oppression, resistance, and resilience. This helps to ensure that the truth is remembered even when authoritarian forces attempt to rewrite or suppress history.

Artists also bear witness: documenting the struggles of marginalized communities, the actions of those in power and moments of resistance. This documentation provides a counter-narrative to state propaganda and can be used to rally future generations.

Art allows people to process collective trauma, providing a space for healing and resilience. This emotional support is crucial in resisting despair, a common tool of authoritarian regimes. Songs, plays, and poems can become rallying cries or symbols of unity in the face of oppression, giving movements identity and strength.

Finally, the arts educate and raise awareness. Plays, films, songs and visual art can inform the public about issues that right-wing media might ignore or distort. The arts have a way of reaching audiences that traditional education doesn't, particularly among younger generations. Remember Woodstock? The arts appeal to younger people, who are often the most effective agents of change, inspiring activism and critical engagement.

Yes, people of the arts community can organically resist totalitarianism simply by doing their jobs. This applies to people whose job is being our audiences. Supporting art that critiques power structures, attending cultural events with a political or social message, and sharing politically conscious art keep democratic values visible and widely discussed.

If you are outside the arts community, or if you just want to do more, here are a few suggestions:

(1) Support and subscribe to independent, reputable media outlets and nonprofit journalism organizations that focus on investigative journalism.

(2) Consider participating in local journalism initiatives, volunteer fact-checking, or working with news literacy groups. Sharing accurate, unbiased news is also crucial.

(3) Support civil liberties organizations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which fight for freedom of speech, privacy, and due process. Volunteering as a court observer, joining legal support networks, and participating in “know your rights” campaigns helps protect individuals targeted for opposing authoritarian practices.

(4) Join a religious organization that advocates for social justice, immigrant rights, and racial equality. Supporting religious communities that openly stand for democracy and human rights can strengthen societal values that resist authoritarianism. They can also offer community support in times of unrest.

(5) Supporting labor unions and worker advocacy organizations can empower labor rights and strengthen democratic practices. Individuals can join local unions or advocate for workers’ rights at the grassroots level, as labor movements can be powerful counterweights to authoritarian practices by fostering solidarity and collective bargaining.

(6) Many environmental and social justice groups today advocate for systemic change, address corruption, and stand against oppressive practices. Organizations like Extinction Rebellion or the Sunrise Movement in the U.S. use peaceful civil disobedience to draw attention to important causes, which can help galvanize public opinion.

(7) Finally, become a "civil society activist":

* Look up volunteering opportunities.

* Join action committees of your union.

* Involve yourself in local governance opportunities like community boards and school boards.

* Participate in charities, educational organizations, religious organizations, "good neighbor" clubs and organizations for professional ethics.

* Read and support your local newspapers.

* Support and expand your community's mental health and counseling resources, employment opportunities for displaced civil servants, and women's health resources.

* Lobby for a good social studies curriculum in your community's schools.

* Study and learn from the history of anticommunist dissidents in Eastern Europe.

What's working for you? You can click here to write me and share your discoveries. Your suggestions may be good material for a later column.

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AFTERWARD: This article started as an outline of civil society measures Americans could embrace to counteract totalitarianism. The night man at my deli, whom I showed it to, said I absolutely had to finish it--what I had written was in his heart but he didn't have words to express it. (Arabic is his native language). I said I would send it around in my newsletter because I could reach quite a few people in the creative community in New York. He applauded that focus, saying you always have to start with people you know. So I arrived at this open letter to the arts community on what they could do to empower themselves and shake off the glums. If you like what I say here, or agree with parts of it, I hope you will share it with family and friends.