By 11:30am, I had seen my professor reduced to tears. By 11:32am, the black girl who sits across the room from me followed suite as she explains that her parents have already seen KKK members in her hometown in Maryland. By 11:35am, the voice of the trans girl that sits in the corner shakes in fear and frustration. By 11:37am, the two international girls from Central America share how their parents question whether or not they should stay here in the States and whether or not it’s even safe for them here. At SCAD, roughly 25% of our students are international, and nearly 65% are female. Today’s article isn’t some fluffy design article, there are no resume hacks in here, I won’t reveal how to land your first client, and this isn’t a tutorial. Today’s article is a reflection of the reality that my school, which prides itself on its diversity and progressive culture, currently faces. Opening up conversations around the future of our nation, listening to each others thoughts, fears, and ideas, and seeing the following sign posted up around our buildings began to give me hope.
This may not be the design article you were looking for, but if I’ve sought to accomplish anything with my work, it’s to give things a voice—whether that be a concept, a company, a product, or an individual person. And right now, as not only a designer but as a human, it’s my responsibility to give a voice to those that constantly face oppression and feel even less safe in the place they’re living and seeking opportunity.
I ask that you remain vocal in your support and love for those less fortunate and privileged than yourself, and if you’re able to, I’d like to encourage you to donate to an organization that’ll use it to take action and physically support those that may need it.
American Civil Liberties Union
— For almost 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
Ali Forney Center
— Based in New York, AFC is the largest LGBT community center helping LGBT homeless youth in the United States.
Black Lives Matter
— An international activist movement campaigning against violence and systemic racism toward black people.
Human Rights Campaign
— The largest LGBT civil rights advocacy group and political lobbying organization in the United States.
National Center for Transgender Equality
— NCTE is dedicated to advancing the equality of transgender people by providing a voice for advocacy in Washington, DC.
Planned Parenthood
— A nonprofit organization that provides reproductive health services both in the United States and globally.
Show Up For Racial Justice
— SURJ is a national network of groups and individuals organizing white people for racial justice with passion and accountability.
This list above directly stems from Garrett DeRossett and Ian Williams of Mono Mono.
While I said this isn’t a design article, I believe that’s a lie. This is 100% a design article because the design I choose to be a part of constantly fights for the greater good. “Never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it.” —Hillary Clinton