A Message You May Not Want To Hear

Being behind the counter of a comics store means many things. It's been said that we are the geek bartenders, leaders of a secular faith, gatekeepers of popular culture, and that's all mostly nonsense but I hear things. Funny things. Downright strange things. Cool things. Some things more serious than others.
Since the presidential election, I've heard a lot more concern about the world at large. I share it.

Before the election, I believed that making the store in any way overtly political was over-stepping a boundary. I now believe that was a mistake. A mistake our country's businesses, as well as individuals, no longer have the luxury to make. And the proof is that we have been thrust into a situation that is outside of politics– below politics– so that political structures themselves are at risk. Undeniably, Donald Trump's election has exposed and inflamed problems at the core of our nation. He has empowered the superstitious and cowardly bigots of America by giving their ideas status again. I see no way around the fact that a demagogue has been elected to the highest office in our country. We may be entering the blackest night of our lifetimes. The stock market is improving but all individuals' hard-fought rights are in danger.

I've heard you say: I'm a non-white American citizen, not sure what the next year will bring for my family but it doesn't look good.

I've heard you say: I'm facing the very real possibility that not only could my marriage be dissolved but my spouse deported, in the coming years.

I've heard you say: The benefits that have allowed someone with my disabilities to attend higher education schools are threatening to evaporate.

I hear you. This is real. Whether it's new or just old problems exposed or it's a setback or a catastrophe it is very real and real people are going to suffer or suffer worse and longer than before.

To our workshoppers, we're going to need you more than ever in the coming years. Just as you will need us. We are not and never have been just a store. We're a community. We haven't broken down yet. We will keep moving forward.

To our creator friends, you are powerful even if you find it hard to believe it right now. Alan Moore basically said art & writing is magic because you make whole worlds arise out of the blank page, something out of nothing. You are capable of magic. So never stop.

To our pull-lister family, you are important. You are the hearts and minds of this city and I refuse to believe that there is anything inherently wrong with you. Regardless of who you are or who you love or even who you voted for.

You are all welcome here. So don't you dare allow yourself to fall into the belief that you don't matter because if you feel powerless then how the hell are you going to help? Not a one of you. In the years we've been open, we've yet to meet someone who isn't important. Some of you feel you can simply weather the storm. I've heard the "this isn't going to be that bad" and I've heard the "this could be for the best, let's give it a chance" and I've even heard "now ______ will get better" and I say to those of you who think that: gosh, that sounds nice, but in case all the evidence bears out and you're wrong, I'm going to try to be prepared for the dangers of the future as they come. Whether it affects this business directly or it comes for our minority community members. I refuse to turn a blind eye to the problems.

And starting today I refuse to any longer be afraid to state these things up front. We all must act as women and men without fear. Both as a human being and as the principal owner of Carmine Street Comics I'm pledging that I will resist, regardless if you think I sound dramatic or if you think this is an inappropriate place for this, because I have come to believe that there are no inappropriate places to speak against cruelty and injustice in all their forms and speak up for the common good. That is truth, that is justice, and that is the American way. This business has never merely sold comics. We now intend to do even more than before. We will be more overtly supportive of a positive political message and share actions you can take to make the world a better place. We intend to recommend more political and educational comics than before. The core belief of this business remains the same: creators and consumers should connect. This does not mean that everything must suddenly become 'political'. This does not mean that we are are no longer capable of providing you all entertainment devoid of politics. It just means: We have a small bit of power, so we have a small bit of responsibility.

Being the owner of a small business that sells art means being an ear for a lot of people but it also means being a believer in the impossible. I believe in us. Let's work together to make 2017 better than 2016 was, instead of worse.


Peace,

Jon Gorga