More Ways to Disperse Messages

Postcards aren't the only way to spread a message!  You can be a LITTERBUG WITH A PURPOSE.  You can create letters or notes and leave them all over town.  You can write or print notes on regular paper.   You could paint your message on rocks and leave them on paths or beside sidewalks.  

I keep a stash of notes, letters, and mini-books in my purse.  When I am out and about, I leave them in all sorts of random places.  I have tucked them in the magazines at doctor offices.  I have stuck them in grocery carts.  I've left them in various store displays.  They will be found by some stranger.  The stranger will hopefully take a look out of curiosity.  

Direct, opposing view conversations seldom changes minds.  When we talk politics with friends in different places politically, we all have our side and in the discussion each person is working more to defend their views and less to trying to understand the opposing view.  Everyone digs in and is not likely to be persuaded.  But, when people read a book or magazine article, they are more open.  Reading is not confrontational.  It doesn't require debate.  There is no need for them to dig in.  The can consider the message without judgement.


PRINTED MEMES and MESSAGES

I come across so many memes and quotes that are thought provoking and/or informative.  I save favorites on my computer, organized by topic and have curated a nice collection. I copy and paste 5 or 6 of them to a KEYNOTE (PowerPoint on Windows) page.  It would also be easy to do using PAGES or MSWord.  Once printed, I cut them up, add a little color and they're ready to go.

The tad of color makes it more likely someone will read it out of curiosity.  Curiosity is a key part of this whole deal.  If you can't make people wonder "WHAT IS THIS?" they aren't going to read it.  I don't have a color printer but I can use colored pencils to add a touch of color here and there on each meme.

Here's an example with 5 memes on the page - 

Where can you leave them? - All over town!  I try to keep a stack in my purse at all times.  At the grocery store, a meme could be left on a shelf or in a ready to be picked up grocery cart.  At a doctor's office or repair shop, one could be placed inside of a waiting room magazine.  It's rather fun to come up with new spots for the memes to be found.  

I sometimes post copies of litter pages I create.  When I do, feel free to print them out so you, too, can be a litterbug!  

How to Print - 
  • Right click on the image and choose to open the link (or file) in a new tab.  
  • Go to FILE and choose print.  Make sure you select the LANDSCAPE printer setting.  In the preview window, make sure it covers the entire page.
  • Then PRINT.   

MINI-BOOKS

Mini-books are similar to litterbug notes, but on steroids.  It’s a tiny book made from one regular sheet of paper that is folded up to create a book with 8 small pages. With 8 pages to work with, you can include more messages on an assortment of topics or one where all the messages are on a particular theme.  Instructions on how to make these can be found on this post.  







LETTER TO A FRIEND

A fictional letter is the perfect way to vent over political differences.  I write heartfelt letters to people I'm frustrated with, but instead of giving the letter to that person, or  shredding it like a therapist might recommend, I will leave them in random spots for a stranger to find. (No real names are used on the letters.)  I wonder what might change if lots of people started doing this.  Imagine heartfelt letters showing up all over town.  Imagine them being read by the types of people we have been avoiding for so long.  Maybe we might even plant a seed with someone we thought was unreachable.  They might even wonder, "Is this how my friend/brother/sister/daughter/son/niece feels about me?"





PAINTED ROCKS

I haven't done this yet, but I definitely want to.  I can leave them on walking paths for others to find.

I wish I could credit the creator of this
but I don't even remember where I found it.

Here's a great video on rock painting  - 
The Ultimate Rock Painting Guide


WOOD SCRAPS

I used to decoupage pretty pictures and messages onto wood scraps.  It was easy and fun.  I plan to start doing this again, but instead of cutesy images like the ones shown below, they will have messages of freedom and democracy. 

It's easy to add an additional message on the back.

These wood signs are not political but 
maybe they will give you ideas.
You might have other things to decoupage
with political messages.
As you can see,
I have even decoupaged an empty can.

SEWING

If you are a sewer, there are things you can do with fabric.  For instance, this video about sewing a banner is great.  I can also see doing something similar on a smaller scale and creating a book cover or tote bag or flag, etc.  You could sew on or use an iron-on fabric fusing.  




Another IDEA



FAST CONTACTING

And of course, calling or emailing when you have something to say is always an option, especially in situations where you need to let them know something QUICKLY.  I try to include a phone number and/or email info on my posts.  That doesn't involve art, but it still is being active.  I sometimes send a post card AND call.


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