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@NBC News: Generations of Americans Unemployed.

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About

The 4th of July commemorates American independence from England and, in theory, a move to democracy over monarchy. The holiday is sometimes used by politicians for nationalistic political grandstanding, but I think that it is important to recognize the difference between democracy and monarchy, as well as the difference between nationalism and patriotism. We are momentarily stuck with a president who'd prefer to be a monarch than someone accountable to democracy. He is also someone who loves nationalism, because he knows nationalists fall in line with the national power structure regardless of whether its policies are good for the citizens. I consider myself a patriot, not a nationalist... I believe in the potential of the nation to do good for its citizens and the world, and I will push to amend the system's flaws and further the good policies. Let's use the 4th as a reminder that democracy is a privilege that must be maintained through action, which always means voting, and when necessary, means protesting in the streets. The current crop of Republicans seem to despise patriotic dissent, but it wasn't always that way. Margaret Chase Smith, a Republican, made a speech she called a "Declaration of Conscience" in response to McCarthy's tactics. Here is an excerpt:

Those of us who shout the loudest about Americanism in making character assassinations are all too frequently those who ignore some of the basic principles of Americanism -

The right to criticize;

The right to hold unpopular beliefs;

The right to protest;

The right of independent thought.

I'm releasing two 24×36 open edition offset lithograph prints celebrating those rights aforementioned rights.

This "American Rage" print is based on a photo by Ted Soqui, taken in South Central on August 15, 2014 during a Black Lives Matter protest. The movement was in it's first year and were demonstrating against LAPD and Sheriff shootings of unarmed black men. This image is equally emblematic of the current wave of protests for racial justice and police reform that the nation has been experiencing in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by the Minneapolis police. I remember at the time, 28 years ago, feeling enraged that blatant acts of police brutality inflicted on Rodney King went unpunished when they were clearly captured on video. I was ecstatic that enough people were distressed by what happened to George Floyd, and what has happened to countless unarmed people of color at the hands of the police, to hit the streets in peaceful protest. Protest is a noble use of free speech, protected as a civil right, and is as American as apple pie. This "American Rage" image is a celebration of protest as a form of civic participation in democracy. I don't ever condone violence or looting, but I understand why things can reach a boiling point, resulting in riots, when people feel that the American system has failed them over and over. Martin Luther King Jr. said "A riot is the language of the unheard". King also condemned politicians who "are more devoted to order than justice". I urge people not to conflate peaceful protest with "criminal agitation" or "inciting a riot." When the system fails the people, it is nothing short of patriotic for the people to protest for a solution. Proceeds from this print benefit Black Lives Matter.

The Voting Rights are Human Rights print is a collaboration with photographer Steve Schapiro who documented many of the important civil rights protests in the 1960s. Steve and I met at the opening of The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration in Montgomery, Alabama. As I looked through his numerous beautiful and powerful photos, we discussed the possibility of collaborating on the spot. Voting rights and racial equality were the focus of a mass movement toward a more just society in the '60s. Unfortunately, insidious racism, which never went away, has given way to more overt racism, and voter suppression, often targeting people of color and students. Democracy needs to work for everyone.

Voting rights are human rights, and we need to make every effort to give equal voting access to everyone of voting age regardless of race or economic circumstance. It is essential that people vote! Proceeds from this print will benefit Bryan Stevenson's Equal Justice Initiative, which provides legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in state jails and prisons. Thank you for caring!
-Shepard

American Rage. 24 x 36 inches. Offset print on cream Speckletone paper. Original photo by Ted Soqui. Signed by Shepard Fairey. $45. Proceeds go to Black Lives Matter. Available on Thursday, July 9th @ 10 AM PDT at https://store.obeygiant.com/collections/prints. International customers are responsible for import fees due upon delivery.⁣ Orders may be delayed due to COVID19. ALL SALES FINAL.

Voting Rights are Human Rights Offset. 24 x 36 inches. Offset print on cream Speckletone paper. Original photo by Steve Schapiro. Signed by Shepard Fairey. $45. Proceeds go to Equal Justice Initiative. Available on Thursday, July 9th @ 10 AM PDT at https://store.obeygiant.com/collections/print s. International customers are responsible for import fees due upon delivery.⁣ Orders may be delayed due to COVID19. ALL SALES FINAL.

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The 4th of July commemorates American independence from England and, in theory, a move to democracy over monarchy. The holiday is sometimes used by politicians for nationalistic political grandstanding, but I think that it is important to recognize the difference between democracy and monarchy, as well as the difference between nationalism and patriotism.

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We have two very important issues at the for front of thought in our nation. We need to show each of them the respect and honor they deserve.

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The social unrest we are experiencing today mirrors the major moments of protest in the past 100+ years (women's rights, civil rights, etc.).

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Not a modern one, but the poster that got me interested in the WPA originally. I found this at a poster store and loved the style so much I hung it in my home.

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A Shepard Fairey- inspired poster to support the fight against Covid-19.

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There is so much talk about freedom of the press and the attempt to suppress truthful information. I found this poster to be so relevant to what is happening today.

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The 2020 National Book Festival poster was designed by Rodrigo Corral Studio and Tyler Comrie with illustration and animation by Justin Metz.

The 2020 Library of Congress National Book Festival will connect with audiences across the country for an interactive, online celebration of "American Ingenuity" for the festival's 20thyear, featuring new books by more than 120 of the nation's most-renowned writers, poets and artists. The festival will also showcase the many ways our national library embraces all subjects in its unparalleled collection.

During the weekend of Sept. 25-27, virtual stages at loc.gov/bookfest will offer on-demand videos, live author chats and discussions, options to personalize your own journey through the festival with particular themes, and book buying possibilities through the festival's official bookseller, Politics & Prose, with a limited number of commemorative book plates signed by authors. The Library is also in discussion with broadcast partners to ensure broad access to the festival. Subscribe to the festival blog for updates on plans for the festival.

New to this year's festival is an opportunity for festivalgoers to take a deeper dive into timely topics engaged by many books across the festival's stages. Attendees are invited to follow three newsworthy threads that weave through the festival and offer a more profound appreciation for the subjects. They are:

"Fearless Women" - books by and about strong women and resolute trailblazers.

"Hearing Black Voices" - books that showcase Black voices across all genres, affirming their contributions to American culture.

"Democracy" - books that assess the state of democratic principles here in America and around the globe.

Another new feature added to the 2020 festival is a new virtual stage called Family, Food & Field, which will include authors whose books cover such topics as food, home, sports, television and current issues, such as the Me Too movement.

More information on the authors whose books are part of these timely topic threads will be found on the festival website in the weeks before the event.
Highlights of the 20thNational Book Festival: Celebrating American Ingenuity

Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead will receive the Library's Prize for American Fiction and discuss his lifelong career in writing.

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on her memoir, "Hell and Other Destinations."

National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Jason Reynolds on his book "Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You," which he co-wrote with Ibram X. Kendi.

"Today" show co-host Jenna Bush Hager on "Everything Beautiful in Its Time," a collection of stories about her grandparents, Barbara and George H.W. Bush, and her book club "Read With Jenna."

Chelsea Clinton on her new book for young readers, "She Persisted in Sports: American Olympians Who Changed the Game."

John Grisham, master of the legal thriller, on his latest books, "Camino Winds" and "The Guardians."

Melinda Gates on her new book, "The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World."

Mo Willems, creator of "The Pigeon" books, "Because" and other bestsellers for children, on his work and creative process.

Parker Curry and her mother, Jessica Curry, on their book, "Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment," recounting a visit to the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery and viewing a portrait of first lady Michelle Obama.

Dan Brown, author of "The Da Vinci Code," makes his children's book debut with "Wild Symphony."

Ibram X. Kendi and Saeed Jones on ways to confront racism and bigotry, as described in Kendi's book "How to Be an Antiracist" and Jones' memoir, "How We Fight for Our Lives."

Rebecca Boggs Roberts and Lucinda Robb on their new book, "The Suffragist Playbook."

Veronica Chambers on her children's book "Finish the Fight!: The Brave, Unruly, and Radical Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote."

Thomas Frank and Christopher Caldwell on "The Road to Populism" and their related books.

Full Festival Lineup of Participants by Stage: For Adults
History & Biography: Madeleine Albright, Peter Baker, Sarah Broom, Christopher Caldwell, Erica Armstrong Dunbar, Eric Foner, Thomas Frank, Susan Glasser, Jenna Bush Hager, Harold Holzer, Nicholas Lemann, Jon Meacham, George Packer, Rick Perlstein, Heather Cox Richardson, David Rubenstein, Ted Widmer, Gene Luen Yang

Understanding Our World: Jared Diamond, Peter Florence, Melinda Gates, Robert M. Gates, Barton Gellman, Haben Girma, Richard Haass, David Ignatius, Walter Isaacson, Saeed Jones, Mitch Kaplan, Ibram X. Kendi, Lois Kim, Cristina Fuentes La Roche, Daniel Markovits, Jason Reynolds, Thomas Rid, James A. Robinson

Fiction: Ishmael Beah, Sandra Cisneros, Kali Fajardo-Anstine, Kate DiCamillo, John Grisham, Marlon James, James McBride, Mazaa Mengiste, Ann Patchett, Salman Rushdie, Emily St. John Mandel, Amy Tan, Téa Obreht, Jeff VanderMeer, Colson Whitehead

Genre Fiction: Tomi Adeyemi, Leigh Bardugo, N.K. Jemisin, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Mary Robinette Kowal, Walter Mosley

Poetry & Prose: Franny Choi, Mark Doty, Rita Dove, Joy Harjo, Juan Felipe Herrera, Carmen Maria Machado, Susan Minot, Robert Pinsky, Karen Russell, Jennifer Shapland, Danez Smith, Tracy K. Smith, Elizabeth Tallent

Family, Food & Field: Bill Buford, Gail Collins, Jesse Dougherty, Bruce Feiler, David Kamp, Roland Mesnier, Mark Ramsdell, Megan Twohey, Judith Warner, Esther Wojcicki

Science: Ann Druyan, Katherine Eban, Mario Livio, Edward Melillo, Leland Melvin, Sarah Scoles, Wendy Williams
For Young People
Children: Sophie Blackall, Dan Brown, Veronica Chambers, Chelsea Clinton, Jerry Craft, Jessica Curry, Parker Curry, Angela Dominguez, K.A. Holt, Deborah Hopkinson, Kwame Mbalia, Megan McDonald, Connie Schofield-Morrison, Frank Morrison Peter H. Reynolds, Barb Rosenstock, Pam Muñoz Ryan, Jon Scieszka, Nic Stone, Don Tate, Steven Weinberg, Mo Willems, Kelly Yang

Teens: Becky Albertalli, M.T. Anderson, Tonya Bolden, Mike Curato, Jo Rioux, Lucinda Robb, Rebecca Boggs Roberts, Aisha Saeed, Nic Stone, Sabaa Tahir

The National Book Festival is made possible by the generous support of private- and public-sector sponsors who share the Library's commitment to reading and literacy, led by National Book Festival Co-Chair David M. Rubenstein. The Washington Post is a Charter sponsor; Patron sponsors are the Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Endowment for the Arts and the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission; Friends include the American Psychological Association, Booklovers Circle Members, Buffy Cafritz, Capital Group, Marshall B. Coyne Foundation Inc., Joseph and Lynn Deutsch, Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction administered by The University of Alabama School of Law, the John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress, Library of Congress Federal Credit Union, George Washington's Mount Vernon, National Endowment for the Humanities, Timothy and Diane Naughton, Dwight D. Opperman Foundation, Rancho Mirage Writers Festival, Poetry Foundation, Skoll Foundation and Youth Speaks. C-SPAN2's Book TV, The New Republic and NPR are Media Partners.

Those interested in supporting the National Book Festival can contact the Library at devofc@loc.gov.

Follow the festival on Twitter @librarycongress with hashtag #NatBookFest, and subscribe to the National Book Festival Blog at loc.gov/bookfest/.

The Library of Congress is the world's largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States - and extensive materials from around the world - both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov, access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.

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Library of Congress National Book Festival Announces Full Author Lineup

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The 2020 Library of Congress National Book Festival will connect with audiences across the country for an interactive, online celebration of "American Ingenuity" for the festival's 20th year, featuring new books by more than 120 of the nation's most-renowned writers, poets and artists.

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There are many issues today that could use a WPA type poster!

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I love the incorporation of the black power fist.It reminded me of the Black Panther signage from the 1960s. When I researched the raised hand I discovered the symbol being used as far back as the French Revolution.

THE UPRISING (L'EMEUTE) by Honoré Daumier painting uses a raised hand as well. https://www.phillipscollection.org/collection/browse-the-collection?id=0384&page=4

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My family and I went hiking at the Hinckley Reservation a few weeks ago and saw these posters all over the park. The bird depicted is a turkey vulture. My husband thought it was hilarious (albeit needed and informative) and he took pictures of the signs throughout the park.