This Machine Kills Fascists

What does the postbox have to do with fascism? I agree, a little explanation is needed. You know how President Trump has repeatedly smeared mail in voting as fraught with fraud. This simply is not true. But Trump has a lot of sway.

This election, mail in voting is necessary for the safety of the public because of COVID-19. And even if we weren't in a pandemic, voting in person is often not equal for everyone. Some polling locations have ridiculously long lines, or people have trouble getting there for a million reasons. Having the option to vote by mail gives more people an equal chance to vote, but the history of voter suppression is alive and well in the United States. Given the inaccuracy of Trump's statements about voting by mail, it looks like yet another attempt at voter suppression. 

Artist L.H. Griffin came up with the simple idea to design a postcard, have it printed, and mail it out to 100 people to spread a message of support for the USPS and remind folks why it's so important to us. Then she challenged other artists to copy the idea, which is what I did!

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GIVEAWAY . . One of my goals during lockdown was to start a store and start selling my art after I hit 500 instagram followers ( an arbitrary number thus a way to procrastinate tbh ). In researching how to ship, I discovered USPS is by far the MOST AFFORDABLE option for mailing and shipping for a small business. Now, that access is under threat. Check out my highlight “this machine” for the full story. . . To participate in this giveaway, you need to: . + Fill out a form with your address (link in bio) + Follow me on Instagram + Share my post to your Stories . . Thats it! I’ll send you a postcard. There is a limited run of 100, and you will get a numbered and hand-addressed 4x6 postcard. Its free, but If you want to support this project with a tip my Venmo is linked at the end of the signup form. . . To my fellow artists: I want you to borrow/steal/adapt this idea. Make a run of your own postcards in your own style and do a giveaway. A run of 100 postcards plus stamps cost less than $50 to put together. Get your art out there, and help the folks that help get your art out there. #thismachinekillsfascists #stampoutfascism #acreativedc

A post shared by Lauren Hope Griffin (@l.h.griffin) on Aug 17, 2020 at 5:58am PDT

"This Machine Kills Fascists" is an homage to the legendary Woody Guthrie, of course.

New York World-Telegram and the Sun staff photographer: Al Aumuller

Other artists have joined the project:

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💌 POSTCARD GIVEAWAY UPDATE! . 📬 The prints have arrived, and I want to send you a postcard! I still have about 60 remaining that are unclaimed, so please visit the link in my bio to sign up and share with a friend! If you aren’t familiar with this project, check out @l.h.griffin profile and tap on the “This Machine” highlight. . 📝 Get involved..Text USPS to 50409 to get started! Write to your representatives and make sure you’re registered to vote. Send more letters and postcards through the USPS! . 🎨 I’d also like to encourage everybody out there to make your own postcards to send as a part of this project. I threw this design together quickly with a few watercolor pencils and some sketch paper! Fun fact, the wonky text is inspired by the typeface on the USPS logo 💌 . . . . #thismachinekillsfascists #stampoutfascism #savetheusps #womenwhodraw #usps #resist

A post shared by Christy (@christy_brisket) on Sep 9, 2020 at 7:45pm PDT

If you'd like to receive one of my postcards, you're welcome to sign up with this form as long as I have some! My art was made with a paper cut design inspired by Victorian postcard imagery, with the text added on the computer (I am soooo low tech, this was done as basic as I could do it.)