Time, Person of the Year cover (Graphic: Shepard Fairey)
Via Religious Right Watch, we learn that Shepard Fairey, the genius behind the iconic Barack Obama image to be featured on the cover of Time magazine, is having none of pop-preacher Rick Warren’s participation at the Inaugural. Fairey has vowed to turn over a “chunk” of the profits from what will undoubtedly be a hot commemorative item to overturn Prop 8.
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From Shepard Fairey at ObeyGiant:
STOP…OBAMA TIME! STOP… INTOLERANCE!
Tomorrow my illustration for Time Magazine’s “Person of The Year” hits the newsstands. While I’m very honored to be validated by a periodical that is nothing short of an American institution, the moment is bittersweet because I’m very disappointed by Obama’s appointment of Rick Warren to deliver his invocation during Obama’s inaugural address. Rick Warren is against gay marriage and reproductive rights, and he does not believe in evolution (maybe he offers himself as proof of lack of evolution). I understand that Obama is trying to appeal to conservatives and evangelicals, but this move is symbolically a slap in the face to many people. Warren is not a uniter, but a divider… he is intolerant in many of his views. I still think Obama is the best choice for president, but I can’t condone Warren’s involvement in Obama’s inauguration, no matter how insignificant it is. While I’m on the subject of gay marriage, I will be donating a chunk of the proceeds from an inauguration poster of Obama I was asked to create to the movement to overturn Prop 8. At first I was considering pulling my inauguration poster, but I think re-directing funds from it to put into a cause I care about is actually more constructive. Plus, I wouldn’t want withdrawing the image to come across as a blanket boycott of Obama. I’m sure I will ultimately disagree with Obama about many things, but I think I will agree with him on more. I think it is important to speak one’s mind, but also to not let the narcissism of petty differences sabotage our unity and progress.
-Shepard
Comments
2 Comments so far. Comments are closed.When and unless Obama uninvites Rick Warren from performing the invocation, I’ve pulled my support for the president-elect.
If Warren isn’t bad enough (and it’s horrible) comes news that Obama hasn’t selected a single out gay man or lesbian to serve in his cabinet.
If Obama continues down this political path, he’s going to have a very rocky term.
Obama has promised to repeal Clinton’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Apparently, he believes it’s a good thing for queer people to serve (and die) for their country; but when these same people, who have served their country, return to second-class citizenship status … hey! … no skin off his nose.
We’re going to be granted full and unconditional Queer Cannon Fodder status. Forgive me if I’m not cheering.
It’s doubtful that Obama will disinvite Warren, but, on a positive note, look at how our outrage has hit the media. Our voices are starting to be heard. It’s like, well almost, being regarded as real American citizens.