The only critical thing I was going to say is that I didn’t see much evidence that Fairey was seeking to personally profit financially or socially off these posters. I had seen an interview with him about the AP photo controversy a while ago and he seemed genuine and all about art from the bottom-up.

Then I checked the Obeygiant homepage just to have a look. Fairey says in a recent update he’s “very flattered that the agency Crispin Porter & Bugosky included my HOPE graphic in their design.” Then I read his Wikipedia bio. He got his start producing ads for Pepsi and other big corporations.

Wtf? Why should this guy be welcome in any grassroots/radical movement? There’s abundant evidence that, besides cloaking himself in subversive language, he’s no different from any other white male capitalist. Seeing him thank CP&J, one of the biggies ad agencies in the world, struck a nerve – CP&J produced a series of obnoxious, masculinist ads for Burger King while the Coalition of Immokalee Workers were trying to pressure the chain into adopting their penny-per-pound/human rights framework for tomato pickers. I would go to CIW protests and then see those ads on TV. Clearly Fairey hasn’t outgrown his roots in the corporate propaganda business. The more I look at his “art,” the more I see that. Not to mention the questions of plagiarism.

So thanks – this has been a teaching moment for me, that guys like this don’t deserve the benefit of the doubt…

nezua knows what he is talking about period. it would help you to recognize that.

i might even suggest that you respectfully take what is being raised here to expand and enlighten those that you feel need your defense. you are not doing them a service here by not working on your own reactions first, and limiting yourself with what you think you already know (your own understanding).
i don’t think your intention here mr a1 is hostile, your motives are probably well intended. however, my impression is “thou doth protest too much” and you risk losing the opportunity to better understand the complexities of this issue, to help raise the consciousness for the better way needed for change.

peace, one love, pass it on.

peace.

Further, as has already been pointed out by Nezua & los demas, it’s ironic how those who are trying to defend the project use such arrogant language– which just reflects poorly on Fairey and the project.

sorry for the long post– this whole thing has triggered reflection on this and topics I study in literature and it helps (me) to write it out!

fuck homesauce! plz. dood changes his argument and approach each comment. so take any words within them with a grain of salt. i just dont get the persistance, coupled with the derision that tries to act like its “civil.” maybe homesauce feels NDLON’s contribution and energy is being stained by association with fairey and his checkered past of cultural appropriation, but i disagree. i don’t feel bad at all about ernesto or NDLON, of course! more power to both of them and to de la rocha! and to the movement. this fool acts like because of Nezua’s post, the immigration reform movement will falter and fail! what a trip.

What you and your readers are still failing to understand,

Hey Al? Bite me. Our advancing arguments you can’t bring yourself to counter intelligently does not constitute our “failing to understand” anything.

Some of us were progressive before it became a hipster fashion statement. Some of us are continuing to be progressive even where it may conflict with hipster fashion.

The Revolution Will Not Be Posterized, little man. Don’t try to condescend to people: you’re not very good at it.

I do think he has confirmed that Yerena is involved with Fairey for the sake of the movement, issues, and projects. I wish him the best of luck.

You are not interested in honest talk, or are just mentally impaired. In the former case it would be unfair to myself to continue this talk. In the latter, it would be unfair to you.

Thanks for adding your voice, Peace.