![I thought I'd use this day to read more Martin Luther King speeches, look at some things that aren't so commonly read. Quotes are one thing, but it is nice to read the wholeness of something. The Give Us the Ballot speech has some complexities. It has an optimism towards voting rights that could be read as too optimistic, or a provide a profound reason why voter suppression is so savage and severe. To get the vote turns out to be more complex than saying folks have a thing, there's a whole lot of machinery of government and culture that can work to support or suppress true democracy. The Give Us the Ballot speech is probably not quoted as much because it has an uncomplicated anti-communism statement from someone who had a complicated relationship with the term and faced savage investigation because of the term. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute has some interesting analysis about that. This quote touches so powerfully on a need, still owing, over 50 years later. And when I read the final paragraph of this speech I am reminded about how so many Black voters in the USA are to be thanked for helping get Trump out of Office and changing the balance of power in the Senate. Martin Luther King's praise seems quite fitting when he speaks of the good that can come from Black voters: Keep moving amid every mountain of opposition. (Yes sir, Yeah) If you will do that with dignity (Say it), when the history books are written in the future, the historians will have to look back and say, “There lived a great people. (Yes sir, Yes) A people with ‘fleecy locks and black complexion,’ but a people who injected new meaning into the veins of civilization (Yes); a people which stood up with dignity and honor and saved Western civilization in her darkest hour (Yes); a people that gave new integrity and a new dimension of love to our civilization.” Transcript: [We are] pleading with the president and members of Congress to provide a strong, moral, and courageous leadership for a situation that cannot permanently be evaded.. civil rights issue is not an ephemeral, evanescent domestic issue that can be kicked about by reactionary guardians of the status quo. -Give us the Ballot May 17 1957 Thanks to all my patrons and a special big extra thanks to Kate Webb, Erik Owomoyela and Sandra M. Odell.](https://www.thingswithout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/657_MLK_lowres-1-150x150.jpg)
Welcome to Thingswithout.com. Things Without is a webcomic about creatures who are kind. It stars the Things, they have no arms or legs, but have infinite capacity. The Things are nigh invulnerable physically, but quite soft and squishy emotionally. and have friends who are boots, socks, bunnies and audacious tamarins. When I created them, I didn’t know I had a Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder, but it’s quite interesting to me to see how powerful bendy-ness is part of this comic!
You possibly know my work because of my the comic A Sad:
It’s been many years since I created A Sad and I’m honored and humbled by the stories folks have shared with me about this comic. I love that Things Without has been used as a tool for folks to express their emotional needs. I love that folks can pull this out and say this! This is how I want to be treated when I have a sad. I treasure all the stories I’ve heard and it’s so amazing to think of the secret life the Things have out in the world.
It’s nice to have these reminders that sometimes just being present is enough. Asking what a person needs is often better than diving in with a solution. It’s such an easy habit to fall into, and I need a reminder from my own comics sometimes. Thank you for visiting Things Without, I’m so grateful the Things and all their friends came into my life, they certainly help me when I have a sad.
I hope you enjoy your stay, here are a few cartoons I’m particularly fond of:
- Pop! Strong for So Long
- Mental Health Comics
- Stories featuring Boot. Boot has been through a lot, but still keeps caring.
- Bunson Hoppydew is a wonderful little boy bunny who loves dancing, friendship and cake. His lifestyle advice is sometimes a little peculiar, but always brings a smile to my face.
If you have any favorites, I’d love to hear them in the comments.
FYI, comments for most Things Without comics get closed after a few weeks (sometimes a month or two, I’m not always good at remembering, but forgetting to close comments is a way to tell google you’re lame if there’s no activity!), but I’ll keep comments open on this one. Though if you want to license my comics or art, please e-mail me, rather than use the comments section!
A Sad Support
Wikimedia has a pretty good list of mental health resources and crisis lines around the world.
Lifeline 13 11 14, is a fantastic general support line in Australia.
The Creator of the Things called Lifeline once, just because she had a really rough day at work. It felt a bit silly to call, she wasn’t in massive crisis, but she reminded herself they said nothing to small and not to self censor yourself out of accessing support. It was nice to be able to talk through some stuff in a confidential anonymous way that respected the privacy of the person she had helped. Calling definitely pushed her comfort zone, but it was also really empowering. She went and got the help that felt best for her needs, not the oughts society tells you (especially the you ought to just deal with it).
We Need to Talk About Mental Health talks about stuff that’s much bigger than sadness. But is a handy resource in these complex and crazy making (literally crazy making) time. I hope it helps folks navigate some of the bigger issues and have a resource to share to make certain conversations easier.
Do you know about Patreon? It’s a place where everyday folks can become patrons of the arts. One of your favorite artists might be there right now, creating exclusive content and supported by a community of patrons. The Patreon that supports the Things is https://www.patreon.com/lizargall
A Sad Things Without Comic Transcript
The Things are delightful soft featured creatures that do not have arms or legs.
Thing 2: I have a sad
Thing 1: Are you looking for solutions or comfort?
Thing 2: I would like to be angry, then sad, then comforted, then adventure for solutions, then giggles
Thing 1: Let’s start!
Thing 2: Raar
