#102: Visualizing The Realism Of Life In Actuality
Protest guilt, Animorphs and a whole lot more!
Good afternoon from Chicago!
CULTURE THING:
Inspired by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling’s truly bizarre anti-trans rant, I sent out a dumb tweet just after midnight on Sunday morning.
Then, I went to bed. I woke up to this:
It seems like a lot of people like Animorphs, right?
For those who aren’t aware, Animorphs is a science fantasy book series written by Katherine Applegate and her husband, Michael Grant. They write together under the name K. A. Applegate. The books are about a group of teenagers who learn about a parasitic alien race called the Yeerks that are secretly taking over the earth. They changed my life as a kid. The Animorphs name comes from the teens’ ability to ‘morph’ into any creature they touched or a maximum of two hours at a time. The group, dubbed the Animorphs, become resistance fighters against the Yeerk invasion. The books were DARK. Filled with action and themes of war, dehumanization, sanity, morality, leadership, freedom, family, and growing up.
The first 25 (there’s 54 in total!) books quite literally changed my perspective on things and apparently, I’m not the only one:
What Was It About Animorphs?
See, kids? Reading IS fundamental!
MARKETING THING:
REMINDER: Regardless of industry, it’s safe to assume that every black person you’ve ever worked with has had some sort of racist experience at work!
“We marketers live in a branding bubble of our own creation. We think brands matter. That our brand matters. We think advertising is important. We think other people care. And with each passing year our branding bubble appears to become less and less transparent. An increasing proportion of marketers lose touch with the consumers they are meant to take their coordinates from, and fall for the bullshit that their brands and their communications make any kind of difference to society at large – and that this impact is a crucial part of their job.
America has been riven by the disgraceful, horrific murder of George Floyd. And bubble-bound marketers have been climbing over themselves to speak out, make a difference, take a stand and generally do the usual socially aware hanky-panky that makes them feel good about themselves while making zero difference to anything or anyone out there in the real world.
Inside the marketing bubble we think brands and marketers are being “brave”. Outside, the world burns and no-one gives a fuck about our cute little tweets, clever social media strategy or blacked-out logos.”
If ‘Black Lives Matter’ to brands, where are your black board members?
BLACKNESS THING:
I have had a lot of feelings over the last ten days. Not all of them have been positive.
Yesterday, I doubted that the momentum would continue. Something kept poking at me whenever I saw something inspiring or exciting or truly history-making—a familiar little voice.
“You know this isn’t going to last, right?”
That voice is skepticism. It is fear. Fear that white people will stop pushing in support of us once sports start or the country opens back up or insert anything else here. I doubt the brands are being authentic. I roll my eyes when I see the latest “The events of the past week…” Instagram captions. Call it racial cynicism if you need a term for it.
That voice is a projection of fear. Fear that white people will stop speaking out in support of black lives because it’s not trendy anymore.
The distrust that comes with years of systemic racism isn’t getting fixed tomorrow. Seeing people who have said or done racist things suddenly doing an about-face made me feel like a trap was being sprung.
The feeling of “We’ve been showing you why black lives matter this whole time! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?” lingered heavy on my heart.
I share this because we need an open conversation if anything is going to change. Today, I aim to move towards eliminating my cynicism through action. Don’t fall into the trap of guilt of how your efforts are perceived. Do the work with what you have from where you are. Not everyone can make it to a protest, but every person can do something to help.
Matter of fact, here’s three things you can do the second you finish reading this newsletter:
I truly have faith that every one who is reading these words has 30 minutes available in their day.
Use that 30 minutes to go here.
Click a link and make a call or donate or sign a petition.
Bookmark this link. Repeat this action two more times this week.
Share the link with your three closest friends and say, “Hey, I’m (calling/donating/signing a petition). If you’re interested, here’s the link!” If you have a group chat, drop it into your group chat!
Do it while you online shop or while you’re taking a shit, whatever it takes! It is truly the absolute least that you can do!
MUSIC THING:
New playlist. 100% soul music from all over. Enjoy!
BULLETIN BOARD:
How To Support Office Hours
Here are three easy ways that you can support this newsletter!!!!!
Become a paid supporter of the newsletter on an ongoing basis via this button:
Share this newsletter with a coworker/friend/loved one!
Can’t commit to an ongoing subscription right now? Show your support for my work with a one-time donation!
Office Hours is written by Ernest Wilkins. Follow me on Twitter/IG @ErnestWilkins.
Want to work with me? Send me an e-mail.