layout of four hand drawn, hand collaged postcards on mixed media paper in the background and the text postcards for people in the background

Postcards for People (Inspiration and Creation)

I was inspired to create postcards for people after angrily and sadly contemplating the continued attacks by the israeli government against the Palestinian people in gaza. How, as one person, as an artist, do I activate in a way that best serves the people who need our help right now? My mind has been whirling with ideas. I am in awe of the protests around the world and am so grateful for the kind of collective action people are taking. Knowing myself as a highly sensitive person though, I know I have to find different avenues of protest and resistance that make sense to my body and are helpful to others. I am also aware of how white saviorism can show up in me especially when there are global tragedies unfolding before us and I feel the urgency to “help” and fix things by myself overnight.

So, what can I do to truly help people in times like these? What are sustainable, long term actions I can take?

Call and write my representatives demanding a ceasefire DAILY

Ask myself what skills and resources I already have that I can share. Share doable amounts of money with people who are providing aid and/or assisting with communications.

Boycott + Divest: “Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) is a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality. BDS upholds the simple principle that Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as the rest of humanity.”

Stop. Listen. Listen to marginalized voices, get information from independent news sources and be wary of misinformation fed to us by main stream media. Resist becoming complacent by relying on mass media’s reporting of the highlights they deem important. I’ve been following along with independent news sources such as (content warning: graphic images + videos) ALJAZERAA and following the lived experiences of people on instagram such as Rahaf Shamaly @rahafmarwan20, a palestinian singer who has been sharing very deeply and personally about her current life and struggle in Gaza.

Use my platforms to amplify the voices of folks who are making art, who are speaking out and sharing personal experiences about what is currently happening.

Educate myself and do my own research before jumping to conclusions or joining movements. Remember that the world is burning everywhere. There is colonization everywhere. Drop the urgency to fix things overnight. Instead, after brainstorming, be decisive about the best ways I can be helpful and make a plan to carry out my offering.

Cultivate, nurture, and attend to relationships beyond my comfortable inner circle.

Have conversations that might not always be easy.

Stay connected to nature. Stay tuned to my surroundings and the seasons. Stay curious about where I live and who lived here before me and what they did to stay tuned. There are answers there and there is also rest.

Map out a long term plan that keeps me moving, buoyant, connected and accountable and throughout the year.

Make art. Make art with people. make art for people. Make art for myself. Make lots of art!

a single candle with a hand drawn postcard leaning against the candle featuring a snowy pine tree

photo description: flat layout of three writing utensils, a stack of brown paper postcards, and a small pile of nature themed collage papers all as part of postcards for people

What are Postcards for People?

I created Postcard for the People art kits so folks can send handwritten messages to people about the things that they are passionate about. See the unintentional letter “P” theme happening? I decided to go with it! You see, my first thought was that these postcard kits would be used for advocating for Palestinians. But I realize even though there is a most dire situation in Gaza right now that needs our urgent attention, there are also a myriad of events unfolding around the world that need attending to and that people are passionate about. Plus, sometimes its nice to send a little snail mail to the people we love! So I went with the letter p theme…

Postcards in solidarity with Palestinians

Postcards Cheering on Press

Postcards for Politicians including Presidents and Prime Ministers

Postcards to Prisoners - check out what Critical Resistance is doing!

Postcards for Personal Support Systems (thanks for that one, K!)

Postcards to Pets

Postcards to and for the People

Postcards for a Purpose, each one carrying their own important message XO

flat layout with three stacks of postcards in a vertical row. the top postcard says ceasefire in orange and black, the middle postcard is blank except for the the postcard stamp lines for address, and the bottom postcard has collage art by miranda that looks like an abstract landscape

What does the Postcards for People kit include?

10 blank mixed media postcards

10 postcard stamps

3 or more writing utensils

assortment of collage papers (glue not included)

How do I get my Postcards for People kit?

For a limited time: Folks living in the US: make a donation of $15 or more to organizations providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians such as US Campaign for Palestinian Rights OR United Nations Relief and Works Agency and show proof of it here and I will send you a Postcards for People kit ($20 VALUE) with free shipping.

OR purchase Postcards for People art kits here

N.O.T.A.F.L.O.F (no one turned away for lack of funds: if you need a postcards for people kit for free, I will gladly send you one! click here and let me know. )

show your #POSTCARDSFORPEOPLE on social media

Note: all Postcards for People Art Kits will be sent out in batches beginning January 2, 2024 via USPS

postcards for people