Why radical voices are necessary
“Art is like breathing for me. If I don’t do it, I start to choke.” —Yoko Ono
I’ve always been fascinated by people who sacrifice convention and its de facto safety in exchange for an unrelenting devotion to vision and creative integrity. Such people are often said to be ahead of their time.
This fascination is what led me to write about Victoria C. Woodhull, a social radical in her time, and I believe it will lead me to my next work.
I am fascinated by how unconventional thinkers, artists and writers trust(ed) their vision. How do they keep going when they’re repeatedly told no? How do they find the courage to buck convention?
Should we do the same? Is it worth it?
When we’re always working to try to find the largest audience, it’s easy to become stuck in patterns and seeking to answer to generic expectations. I like to think of it as trying to win at a losing game. When we play by others’ rules, it’s easier to succumb to competition and an endless quest for fulfillment.
