Paula Hammond - Features EditorIf there’s one good thing to have come from the post-Trump world, it’s undoubtedly the outpouring of protest from the arts community.
The naughties have seen a rebirth of the documentary genre, with features such as Trump: An American Dream, Get Me Roger Stone, 11/8/16, and Icarus winning awards and big screen releases. Spoken word performances from the likes of Crystal Valentine have seen a new generation engaging with politically-charged poetry and performance art via YouTube.
The same is true for the the written word with indie publishers and authors amongst the first to share their shock at the arrival of PROTUS45.
In April, just one hundred days after Trump’s inaugeration, B Cubed Press’ (https://bcubedpress.com) Alternative Truths Anthology became a surprise Amazon best-seller. This week, sees the release of More Alternative Truths: Stories From The Resistance which explores the potential consequences of today’s politics on our daily lives and the wider American identity.
It’s long been the tradition of artists to throw a spotlight on the world and, if laugher really is the best medicine, then More Alternative Truths gives us much to chuckle about. Jim Wright (Stonekettle Station) imagines Donald Trump as Moses after presenting the Ten Commandments. Edd Vick and Manny Frishberg give us Trump, tweeting his way across the solar system. While Elizabeth Ann Scarborough’s fun-filled romp “Wishcraft.com”, explores how important it is that political hacks not annoy witches.
However, there are thoughtful and poignant pieces here too. Jill Zeller’s “A Woman Walks Into A Bar” addresses the painful question of how we cope in a world where facts are fact and truths malleable. While Eric M. Witchey’s poignant “Small Courages” lets us view the world through the eyes of a child and embrace some of the hope that brings.
More Alternative Truths is available to buy in both print and ebook.
Alternative Truths can also be bought via Amazon.
