the power of one

Author: rayela

Brazil 18years + Chicago 20yrs + Paducah since 2005 These have shaped my path and interests. I spent many years as an active artist (ceramics and textiles) but have focused on promoting the creative community online since 2010. My current projects are Artizan Made and this site, Creative PlaceMakers.

I grew up in Brazil (1962-1980) under a military dictatorship. The 70’s were a bad time for democratic movements in South America, especially Argentina, Chile and Brazil. I spent my Junior year of college in Colombia, where I learned about the cartoonist, Quino, from Argentina. I bought a couple of his books. Joaquín Salvador Lavado Tejón is best known for Mafalda, the little girl in the photo below. Google’s short bio:

Quino was the pen name of Argentine cartoonist Joaquín Salvador Lavado Tejón, who was best known for creating the globally popular comic strip Mafalda. His work is celebrated for using humor and social satire to comment on issues like politics, human rights, and societal absurdities. Quino passed away in 2020 at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of acclaimed cartoons that continue to be widely read and translated.

Mafalda was popular in Brazil, but I preferred his political cartoons. Most were drawings without words, illustrations that anyone from around the world would be able to relate to. Many of them zoomed in on how one person might defy the status quo or finally get squashed enough to blend in with everyone else.

I’ve been thinking about how one person can cause horrific damage to the world or become a symbol for peace and hope. How does art and creativity play into that dynamic? I am going to give three examples of destroyers and then, of a phoenix rising from the ashes. This phoenix represents love, resistance and cultural pride.

The three destroyers that I try to keep track of are Trump, Putin and Netanyahu.

Trump

We knew about Project 2025 because they released the playbook before Trump’s election, and yet, it was bizarre to see it implemented with so much gusto from day 1. It’s hard to even try to assess what the damage has been since Trump took office in January, 11 months ago. Every single one of his Cabinet members are inept and cruel. 400,000 Americans died from COVID-19 by the time President Trump left office in January 2021. This time, Trump has lost all inhibitions about personal profit or improving our lives in any way. BBC reported that Trump’s move to cut most of the US funding towards foreign humanitarian aid could cause more than 14 million additional deaths by 2030. The Big Beautiful Bill?

It made the largest-ever cuts to social safety net programs in U.S. history to fund tax cuts for the ultra wealthy and corporations. The OBBBA extends, expands, or implements more than $4.5 trillion in tax breaks— mostly for billionaires — while making more than $1 trillion in cuts to programs that many rely on for health care, adequate nutrition, and student loans.

We’re the wealthiest country in the world and our people struggle with utilities, housing, the cost of food and we’re watching the country invest billions into prison systems that kidnap people and inject fear into the larger population. The video below is excellent, showing how profit motivates the predatory behavior we are witnessing.

Putin

CNN reported in March that

Ukraine has sustained nearly 400,000 casualties, with between 60,000 and 100,000 deaths. Of the estimated 950,000 Russian casualties so far, as many as 250,000 are dead, according to the study.

The United States has pretty much abandoned Ukraine, while the rest of Europe tries to contribute to the war effort, but Ukraine is the one taking the brunt of the destruction and the loss of life. Russia is bankrupting itself but Putin moves ahead with his vision of restoring the larger USSR, at all costs. Alexei Navalny, the only real opposition who stood against Putin, was killed in prison last year. All Ukrainians have suffered terribly because of Putin, and this video shows how residents of Kharkiv dealt with the bombings, loss of services, and constant fear:

Netanyahu

When I saw the footage of Hamas kidnapping Israelis on October 7th and heard the testimonies of what had happened, I knew that Israel’s retaliation would be horrific. 1,200 Israelis were killed and 250 hostages were taken. What was Hamas thinking? In what way could they think that this would in any way help the Palestinian cause? But, then, the unthinkable happened. Over 70,000 Palestinians have been slaughtered in the most obscene ways possible and all of Gaza has been razed with bombs, leaving piles of rubble and nowhere to live. It’s absolutely horrific.

Israel blocks aid from coming in, all of the hospitals in Gaza have been demolished, 240 journalists and media workers have been killed along with over 1200 health workers, and 20,000 children. Most of the empathy for the Israeli’s who died and were taken hostage dried up around the world as the holocaust shown live to all of us. There have been huge marches in support of Palestine all over the world. Netanyahu has made Jews into targets, but there are Jewish people also standing up in solidarity for the Palestinian people. I’ve been following a group of Orthodox Jews in New York who have been on the streets for two years now, calling for the end of Zionism and for peace between Jews and Muslims.

This video shows before and after photos of Gaza. The rubble is loaded with toxic waste, including asbestos, active bombs, and dead bodies. A report I read from the United Nations said that it would take over 20 years to clean this up and yet, Trump and Netanyahu envision a fancy vacation spot there. Ukraine is also full of toxic waste now.

three men

These three men have dominated the world stage for years now and not in a good way. Lately, Trump has been shaking his head regretfully and saying, “Yeah… I realize it’s going to be hard for me to get into heaven…” All three of these men are aging. They will not be around for much longer and what a stain on history they will leave! Their legacies will of greed, death, hatred, violence, warped religious views and racism. The Industrial Revolution had its share of cruel barons, but there was also an understanding that those who have great wealth should create good things for society and build libraries, hospitals, universities, public gardens and support the arts. Now our billionaires are blood suckers who pollute, create poverty and enjoy mediocre achievements. Then, with the World Wars, we saw plenty of “strong” men who were violent oppressors. But, they all died and most of their ideologies bit the dust.

What will happen when these three die? I believe that all three are naked emperors who don’t have a strong foundation. Their kingdoms will collapse to the same rubble Gaza has experienced.

the phoenix

The myth of the phoenix is found in many cultures, using different names. It lives a long life and when it is time to die, it bursts into fire and out of those ashes, a new, stronger bird rises up. The message is that whatever our challenges, we become fully ourselves because of the fires we have had to face, not destroyed by them.

These three men have caused so much pain and yet, perhaps the world has needed a wake up call. We have become too materialistic, too individualistic and in all three cases, the people have come together to resist and to care for each other. There are no easy solutions. The US, Israel and Russia are all embroiled in scandals, money games and the search for power. I know two things: these three men do not represent the people of their countries. Yes, they each have supporters, but they are not the majority.

Here are a few heroes from Palestine, Ukraine, and the US who are using art and creativity to make a statement of resilience and joy.

Ahmed Muin Abu Amsha

I started following Ahmed on Instagram a couple of months ago and every time he shows up on my feed, I just feel so happy to see him and the kids. He is using music to give the kids something to focus on and a way to heal from the deep wounds they carry around. I especially like seeing the girls as equals in his group. He shares how he got it started in this video. His drone song has gone viral and people are performing it around the world.

This one is from January 2025 and it is the saddest I have seen him. I think that music is helping to heal him, too! He says:

It’s heartbreaking to see everything you once called home—your dreams, your sanctuary, and the studio where you poured your soul—reduced to rubble. Today, I saw a photo of my destroyed neighborhood, and among the ruins were my home and the dreams I worked so hard to build. The pain was overwhelming, and from this deep sorrow, I wrote the song “Enter All the Places”. Every note carries the weight of loss and the hope to rebuild.

This link will take you to songs you can download for free and you can also donate to support his efforts.

Handmade Palestine

I am so pleased to welcome Morgan Cooper as a new member to Creative PlaceMakers! Check out her profile here. There are several videos of the artisans she works with.

We now have Gaza on our map! Morgan is an American married to a Palestinian. We made an instant connection because of our love of textiles, of handmade techniques, of the history behind these products…. Go visit her website! It’s lovely! Handmade Palestine Morgan has applied for membership to Artizan Made through the Amiga Fund. Setting up each new member takes me over 10 hours, so I really have to charge for that. It costs $280 to pay for that set up and the first year. This is her application. Contact me if you would like to sponsor her.

Kalush Orchestra

Winning with “Stefania” at Eurovision 2022, Kalush Orchestra earned respect and applause from all over the world. Their fusion of a ballad with rap made the song powerful, flowing back and forth from sweetness to urban hardness. The YouTube note says, “The song Stefania is a tribute to Oleh’s mother, which she only heard for the very first time when she saw her son’s band compete in Ukraine’s Eurovision pre-selection process, Vidbir.” I really loved how they incorporated Ukrainian embroidery in their garments and in the stage lighting. Embroidery has become a symbol of Ukrainian history and unity since the invasion started.

The lyrics are beautiful!

Mother Stephania Stephania mother The field is blooming, but her hair is getting gray Mother, sing me the lullaby I want to hear your dear word

Verse 1 She was rocking me as a baby, she gave me a rhythm, And you can’t take willpower from me, as I got it from her I think she knew more than King Solomon. I’ll always find my way home, even if all roads are destroyed She wouldn’t wake me up even if there was a storm outside Or if there was a storm between her and grandma, She trusted me over everyone else Even when she was tired, she just kept rocking me Lully-lully-lullaby

Chorus Mother Stephania Stephania mother The field is blooming, but her hair is getting gray Mother, sing me the lullaby I want to hear your dear word

Verse 2 I’m not a kid anymore, but she will always treat me like one I’m not a kid anymore, but she keeps worrying about me, anytime I’m out Mother, you are still young. If I don’t appreciate your kindness, I’m moving towards a dead-end But my love for you has no end. Lully-lully-lullaby

Chorus Mother Stephania Stephania mother The field is blooming, but her hair is getting gray Mother, sing me the lullaby I want to hear your dear word Mother Stephania Stephania mother The field is blooming, but her hair is getting gray Mother, sing me the lullaby I want to hear your dear word

Their official video of this song is performed in the middle of destroyed buildings. Very moving…

Their latest one is gorgeous!

“Chomu” is a new track by Kalush Orchestra that pierces the soul. The song is an echo of loss and tenderness at the same time, a conversation about distance and routine that slowly devours feelings. It’s a story about trying to hold on to love when the world cracks in two. Atmospheric sound, deep lyrics, and poignant emotion. “Chomu” is not an answer. It’s a mirror where everyone sees their own reflection.

We have three Ukrainian members on our sister site, Artizan Made! You can see their products here: Ukrainian artists.

Zohran Mamdani

He won! He won! He won! Against all odds, Zohran beat the elite and embodies the next generation of leaders. It is SO exciting to see him in action. His mother makes movies, his wife is an artist and his father is a professor of government and anthropology.

meet the next mayor of new york!!!

that was then…

Mamdani represents the best of American culture: inclusive, creative, fun. He is comfortable in any setting. Even meeting with Trump did not phase him. He is pure joy and people responded. The creative energy he had as a musician and performer carries through with such delight and charisma…. We need this!

this is now!

Here is a bit on Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji. She preferred to take back stage, but was deeply involved in his campaign. They seem to balance each other out.

the power of many

We have the power of one in many wrong places, focused on destruction, control, egos, and darkness. None of them would have that power on their own. The power of many either backs up sick structures or creates change, like the phoenix, emerging from the ashes to something better and stronger. All of us have the ability to change our pain into something positive. One by one, we become many and there lies our power.