“Everything is politics. But now, more than ever, art is politics because you don't get to make art in a fascist state,” said Irish singer-songwriter CMAT when the Guardian spoke to her on the Brits 2026 red carpet.
www.theguardian.com/global/video...
“An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times,” Nina Simone once proclaimed. “I think that is true of painters, sculptors, poets, musicians."
www.magnumphotos.com/arts-culture...
I am circling an idea about the civic role of artists in this moment. If that question interests you, subscribe and reach out.
I am looking for fellow travelers, not just readers.
If you are a painter, musician, writer, dancer, filmmaker, architect, designer, scholar, or maker of any kind who believes creativity and democracy belong together, I would value being in conversation with you.
randallwhite.substack.com
28.02.2026 14:10 —
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"There was a time when strangers were welcome here..."
In appreciation of the most political piece the singer/songwriter ever wrote, here's Neil Sadaka with "The Immigrant" (1975).
Sedaka died unexpectedly today at the age of 86.
youtu.be/9xJEojWXOJs?...
The world has no shortage of anger. What it lacks is vision.
Artists, writers, musicians, makers of every kind have a chance right now. While everyone else is consumed by political turmoil, let's combine our energy and construct the world that comes after.
Join me at randallwhite.substack.com
"There’s nothing more patriotic than a protest song, and we’ve been singing them longer than we’ve been a nation."
www.dallasobserver.com/music/protes...
Painters. Musicians. Writers. Choreographers. Designers. Filmmakers. Architects. Actors. Composers. Sculptors. Poets.
What are the fundamental principles of creative freedom?
Talk to me: randallwhite.substack.com
What could possibly go wrong?
27.02.2026 14:43 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Let’s build a place where artists of all disciplines and other creators can explore sovereignty, stewardship, and the cultural foundations of democracy.
open.substack.com/pub/randallw...
Oh, really?
"'We have to stay out of politics because if we make movies that are dedicatedly political, we enter the field of politics. But we are the counterweight of politics; we are the opposite of politics. We have to do the work of people, not the work of politicians.'"
Join me on Substack later today as we explore creative sovereignty and what it means to build, not just critique.
randallwhite.substack.com
Authoritarians believe society requires cultural conformity. One culture, one tradition.
Difference is a threat.
Artists and creatives have always known otherwise.
Please subscribe (it's free) or follow:
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Last night's State of the Union address and Democratic Party response provided valuable information to help you decide how to vote in the Texas party primary elections.
Please vote.
EARLY VOTING ENDS
Friday, Feb. 27
PRIMARY ELECTION DAY
Tuesday, Mar. 3
Is anyone surprised?
"The decision to cancel a solo exhibition featuring anti-ICE art at the University of North Texas art school was an 'institutional directive,' Dean Karen Hutzel said in newly leaked transcripts of a faculty meeting."
www.artnews.com/art-news/new...
Voted yet? We just did.
I downloaded a sample of my ballot (in Dallas County at dallasvotes.com), studied candidates in each competitive race, filled out my sample as a guide, and went in making informed decisions.
It is important we do this, especially this year.
Beautiful 1931 work by Argentine artist Rómulo Macció at the @blantonmuseum.bsky.social.
24.02.2026 04:10 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
"Art is the progeny of man and the human experience, and because man is a social animal that desires order, he enters into politics. Our art, therefore, should not be faulted for its connection to political ponderings."
thecorchronicle.com/2026/02/23/a...
I'm on Substack:
randallwhite.substack.com
Writers. Performers. Designers. Builders.
Creativity is not decoration.
It is infrastructure.
What would change if we organized like that was true?
Free to subscribe:
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Please come get Tr*mp next.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/23/w...
"This quote encapsulates the privilege of those who choose not to speak on politics, stating that it would be preferred not to write and talk about political events."
Macy Hughes, @hercampus.bsky.social
Creators:
We don’t have to conquer broken systems.
We can build beside them.
I’m exploring a sovereign creative commons designed for the entire performing, visual and literary arts ecosystem.
Subscribe. It’s free.
randallwhite.substack.com
I'll check it out. Thank you.
21.02.2026 19:37 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Artists and creators:
No one can revoke your capacity to create.
But systems can undervalue it.
What would happen if we organized around that truth?
Let’s build better.
Free subscription:
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Creators:
When institutions fracture, builders get to work.
What if we stopped waiting to be valued and started organizing differently?
A sovereign creative commons is taking shape.
Subscribe. It’s free.
randallwhite.substack.com
Bluesky seems in more of a malaise when it comes to American politics.
I can post the same item here as at Threads and see Threads take off with it with thousands of views and hundreds of likes, shares and comments.
On Bluesky, the post will get a "Meh..."
It's fascinating.
“To get lasting change people need to work on changing hearts and minds. Art can succeed where passion and violence fails. Hearts and minds are changed not by the sword, but through being touched through art.”
This insight is from (checks notes) Daily Kos.
www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...
"Students on a study abroad program in Chile learn how the country’s artists reflect on its political past and present."
This is the way.
www.udel.edu/udaily/2026/...
Are you shocked?
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
