16.1.17

peg doll protest



Although the peg dolls in this video have smiles on their faces, reveling in the companionship of sisterhood and the freedom to raise their voices, inside they are angry and scared.


Foolishness aside, of course you understand that underlying my peg doll protest is the anger, horror and dread I feel when I think about the man who will assume highest office in this country within a matter of days.  And so in my own way, I speak out (or allow my dolls to speak for me). 


The little video my husband and I created was inspired by the artwork over at join the UpRoar -- a group of artists who "want to provide passionate Americans with signs to help express how they feel. To take to the streets. To hang in our windows. To share in our feeds. To hold high."  Thank you Ingrid Chang, Jeremy Wirth, Laura Drayton & Mindy Benner for kindly granting us permission to use your work in our photos and video. And also, thank you to my 6 year old for helping me paint dolls.

I am further inspired by the recent work of Salley Mavor, the Pussyhat Project and other protest art such as these statues (nudity warning), these posters, this recent Time Magazine cover and this powerful photo-series by 18 year-old Arla Watson. No one should be silent at a time like this.  Not even peg dolls.


To find out more about the Women's March on Washington you can click here.  You can find out about sister marches in over 600 cities throughout the United States and all over the world by clicking here.

22 comments:

  1. I Love the Peg doll Peaceful protest! At least its not funded by George Soros! You would have a lot more to fear if Hillary won.

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    1. I respectfully disagree with your comment about Hillary. There is nothing in the history of her political career which gives me even a moment of pause. She is above and beyond capable, competent, and compassionate.

      Furthermore, I know people who have met her and worked with her. They report she is a hardworking, spiritual person who is deeply committed to improving the welfare of others.

      Meanwhile, here are some interesting (and truly horrifying) things to read http://robertreich.org/

      http://www.latimes.com/opinion/readersreact/la-ol-opinion-newsletter-president-trump-20161112-htmlstory.html
      That's just the tip of the iceberg.

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    2. Coincidentally, I just received your two peg doll books in yesterday's mail...and today I learn we share political views...I've met Secretary Clinton and she is awesome! Thanks for the much needed lift :)

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    3. Thanks Nan -- I've lost a few followers because of this post, so it's reassuring to know I'm also gaining some new friends along the way!

      I hope you enjoy the books...
      mb

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    4. If it's okay with you, I would like to copy/make your protest peg dolls as "party favors" for our first Indivisible meeting? LOVE your books! LOVE your stand! <3

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  2. I love, love, love this. Last week I told you what a big fan I am, and now, if it's possible, I'm a bigger fan. You've inspired me.

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    1. Thank you Carolyn -- Your words inspire me to keep going. Inspiration is a good thing all around!

      Sending best wishes & peg doll love,
      mb

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  3. Your peg dolls give good council. Love the video sound track!

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    1. Thanks Salley! (And if you need soundtrack sources for your video work, just ask...)
      mb

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  4. Love your dolls' protest. I'll be marching at a sister rally in California on Saturday wearing my hat!

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    1. Bravo!! My dolls will be marching in solidarity!
      mb

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  5. I love your little protest. Peaceful and powerful. I just wish they'd rethink the hats - having a very
    hard time thinking of them as empowering.

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    1. I think you mean "unapologetically" but other than that I agree.

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    2. Goodness yes!! Thank you for catching that and pointing out my error. I despise auto-correct (this is not the first time I have embarrassed myself in this way), and will fix it as soon as possible.

      Thanks again,
      mb

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    3. I sort of get where you're coming from re: the hats, mostly because pink just isn't my color (a few years ago, a friend made a pussyhat for me in grey which I adore).

      On the Pussyhat website they explain that 1) a sea of women wearing pink hats shows solidarity 2) pink has traditionally been a female color and derided as weak, but wearing it shows they are unapologetically feminine and unapologetically stand for women's rights 3) they are reclaiming the derogatory word pussy stating, "A woman's body is her own. We are honoring this truth and standing up for our rights." Here's a link to the website if you want to read their full statement yourself. https://www.pussyhatproject.com/

      Okay. Now that I'm talking about it, I'm feeling inspired and may have to quickly knit myself a pink hat. Time to plunder my stash for pink yarn...

      Standing in solidarity!
      mb

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  6. Wishing your country blessings at this very difficult time. We are thinking of you in the land of down under. Well done peg dolls. 🌞

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    1. Thank you, dear friend, for your good wishes sent from afar!
      xo

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  7. Thank you. May the power and truth of art and love triumph over small minds and fear.

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    1. You are so very welcome Kathleen. I love your statement, "May the power and truth of art and love triumph over small minds and fear." Yes.
      xo
      mb

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  8. I love the protest. I also admire your courage in taking a public stand against our incoming administration. It is a sad and scary time.

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    1. Thank you Miriam. In my face-to-face life I am very vocal about my politics, but more careful about what I say online. I wish I had been vocal about this sooner, but have been so overwhelmed, horrified, angry and frightened that it was nearly impossible for me to think of how to formulate all this into coherent words. The words and images above only express a shadow how I've been feeling in light of the current US political climate. A sad and scary time, indeed.

      Thanks for reading. Thanks for commenting.

      Sending best wishes that we all get through this as unscathed as possible.
      xo
      mb

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