What’s Going On?
Written by Miguel Santiago
Disclaimer:
This piece, “What’s Going On?” is my creative expression of our world. It’s a symbolic representation of the challenges, emotions, and undercurrents we face daily. While the themes are based on what’s happening in our society, the content is a blend of interpretative writing, with scenarios and elements that I’ve exaggerated artistically for effect. Just so you know, the depictions are not direct accounts of events but a narrative constructed to make you think, talk, and become more aware.
Backstory:
I wrote “What’s Going On?” to capture the struggles that people face in our rapidly changing world. I was inspired by the stories of those who silently suffer and hope for a better future. These stories may not make headlines, but they are the reality for many around the world.
Have you ever felt the weight of the world on your shoulders? The constant tug-of-war between hope and despair, the struggle to find your voice in a world that’s always moving too fast? This narrative is all about – exploring the complexities of our modern era, the environmental and social turmoil that surrounds us, and the resilience it takes to keep going. But it’s not all doom and gloom – there’s a glimmer of hope shining through as we collectively strive for a more empathetic and conscious world. So, let’s dive in and see what we can uncover together!
As you read to “What’s Going On?”, I hope you’ll get lost in the words and see how it reflects the ups and downs of life. Beauty and pain, destruction and creation, and all of it unite to make our shared human experience.
What’s Going On?
Imagine a massive canvas in front of you, painted with all the vibrant chaos and complexities of our modern-day life. This painting is not hanging in any gallery. It pulses around us, a living, breathing mosaic of daily triumphs and trials that shape our world. “What’s Going On?” isn’t just a question. It’s more like a journey of exploring the depths of human experiences, many of which remain as whispers among the discordance of mainstream narratives.
Beyond the headlines and news alerts, battles are being fought daily that don’t make it to your social media feeds. These are wars fought not with weapons but with words, beliefs, and the unbreakable will of the oppressed. From the arid farmlands where farmers fight against the ravages of climate change to put food on the table to the dark alleys where activists risk their lives to challenge oppressive regimes, the struggle is real and constant. These stories are a testament to the human spirit and the courage it takes to fight for what is right.
Have you ever considered the digital warzones that exist right under our noses? It’s where faceless keyboards unleash their assaults on our privacy and sow discord, all while the average user remains blissfully unaware of the data being stolen from them. But don’t worry. There are cybersecurity warriors out there who mount their defences, often unnoticed, working tirelessly to protect the digital realm that has become as integral to our lives as the air we breathe. It’s incredible how vital their work is, and yet it goes unnoticed by most of us.
In alleyways, shelters, and rundown apartments, the marginalized fight their own battles. They face unseen wars against systemic injustice, poverty, and neglect. These conflicts don’t always make headlines, but to those on the frontlines, they are all-encompassing. It is here that the true resilience of the human spirit shines through – a mother providing for her children against all odds, a young person advocating for their identity, or a community banding together to protect its most vulnerable members.
Take a moment to observe this magnificent painting, and you’ll discover the unsung heroes of our environment. These guardians stand watch over the last remaining vestiges of natural beauty – fighting an unspoken battle against habitat loss, species extinction, and pollution. They toil silently in the tranquillity of forests, the depths of the oceans, and the air’s purity.
Have you ever thought about the battles that some people fight daily without anyone knowing? I’m talking about the mental health warriors who have to muster every ounce of strength to face another day. For them, victory isn’t about winning a medal or a trophy but simply getting out of bed in the morning. Their struggles are invisible, but they fight valiantly behind closed doors. Let’s take a moment to recognise their silent wars and honour their unwavering courage.
“What’s Going On?” is more than a question: it’s an invocation to seek the stories that don’t find their way into the limelight. It’s a call to acknowledge the silent wars and listen to the hushed struggles of everyday people. It’s a narrative that sews itself into the very fabric of our society, asking for a moment of reflection, a spark of understanding, or a gesture of support.
Imagine a tapestry of existence so complex and nuanced that every thread is crucial to the overall picture. Some threads are bold and demand attention, while others are understated and almost invisible. But every strand is essential to representing humanity in all its diverse facets. Please think of the conflicts that never make headlines and the battles fought by those on the fringes of society yet are at the core of what makes us human. It’s all part of this intricate and captivating portrait of life.
This magnificent artwork, named “What’s Going On?” beautifully portrays the vastness and complexity of the human experience. Each brushstroke, every colour, and every detail represents a unique struggle, achievement, and emotion. It serves as a reminder that everyone has their own story and should appreciate and celebrate our differences.
Step into the fringes, and you’ll find a group of passionate individuals who are steadfast in their fight against the invasion of progress that comes at the expense of heritage and history. These conservationists and historians are the true warriors, standing as the guardians of ancient cultures, languages on the brink of fading away, and artifacts that hold stories of a bygone era. They’re battling against the unstoppable march of time and the indifference of a society that’s obsessed with the latest and greatest.
In the midst of underfunded schools, there are educators who shine like beacons of hope. They are unsung heroes who tirelessly impart knowledge and empower young minds with the belief in education’s transformative power. Despite the challenges they face, such as poverty and ignorance, they remain dedicated to their cause and go unnoticed by many. Their selflessness is inspiring, for they mold and shape the minds that will shape tomorrow.
This canvas is a tapestry of stories, each thread telling the tale of those who have risked it all for a better life. They are refugees of wars and climates, braving oceans, borders, and deserts. Their journeys are full of danger, and their arrivals are bittersweet, marked by both relief and a profound sense of loss for all they’ve left behind.
Think about the incredible efforts of the white-coated soldiers who fight against the invisible enemies of diseases. They work tirelessly in labs and field hospitals, dedicating their lives to the science of healing. Every day, they battle against emerging pathogens and race against time to save lives. It’s truly inspiring to witness their dedication and hard work in the war against disease.
The battle isn’t just fought on the surface. It goes deeper than that, down to the microscopic world where billions of tiny soldiers fight to keep us healthy. These medical warriors use their microscopes and molecules to fight off diseases in labs and clinical trials. It’s no easy task, but they won’t let that stop them. They’re the unsung heroes who work tirelessly to bring us cures, vaccines, and revolutionary therapies. These tiny skirmishes may seem insignificant, but they’re the ones that hold the key to the medicine of tomorrow.
Deep within the mines, a battle rages on – a clash between the unending hunger for resources and the fundamental rights of those who tirelessly work to extract them. Miners and labourers descend into the depths of the earth, their faces obscured by shadows, their struggles as profound and unyielding as the tunnels they traverse daily, all to feed a world that rarely acknowledges their sacrifices. It’s a story of bravery, determination, and perseverance, one that deserves to be told.
Look further, and you’ll notice the quiet warriors of the legal world, advocates and paralegals grappling with a system that’s often slow, convoluted, and blind to the urgency of justice. They work long hours, poring over case files, providing pro bono services, and offering a voice to those who might otherwise be silenced by bureaucracy and inequality.
It’s impossible to overlook the tremendous importance of caregivers in our society. They are the unsung heroes of our communities who work tirelessly around the clock to provide comfort and care to those in their charge. Their selfless dedication is truly inspiring, and they exemplify the very essence of human compassion. Despite their challenges, caregivers remain steadfast in their commitment to providing the highest level of care to those who need it most. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their tireless efforts, and they deserve our utmost respect and appreciation.
Art also has its quiet battles – the independent artists, writers, and creators against an ocean of indifference. They paint, write, and compose, not for acclaim but because they must, because art is as vital as breath to them. Their creations are often buried under a mainstream that sensationalises the marketable, but they persevere, knowing that their voices, too, understand the language of eternity.
Everywhere you look upon this canvas, there is movement, and there is life – a world teeming with silent warriors, with ordinary people fighting extraordinary battles. This multi-dimensional mural of existence reveals the intricate web of human struggle and perseverance across the vast globe, encapsulating every aspect of the human spirit.
“What’s Going On?” reflects a reality teeming with untold stories, with the delicate strength and the enduring pain of unseen wars. It challenges us to look beyond our perspective, to listen for the heartbeat of the invisible, and to recognise each other not just for the grand narratives but for the quiet, resolute dignity found in the unlikeliest of places. Within this living tableau, everyone has a story, every story matters, and every struggle is a testament to the indomitable resolve that is the essence of humanity.
Even in the bleakest of moments, there is beauty to be found. The brushstrokes may be erratic, and the colours may be heavy, but they still hold meaning and significance. It is where we see the strength of the human spirit shining through, even amidst the chaos and destruction.
We find our lens focusing on those grappling with addiction, where each day is a Sisyphean trial. The alleys and back rooms cloak these personal hells where needles and bottles are both sword and shield, a war against an unrelenting demon of dependency. The fight is visceral, the collateral damage heartbreakingly palpable in the hollow eyes and shattered families left in its wake.
Then there’s the desolation written on the faces of those who’ve found themselves without a home – cast as extras in the urban sprawl, their plight backgrounded amidst the city’s roar. They huddle under bridges in doorways, their belongings crammed into worn bags, praying for a warmth that never comes. It is not just the cold they battle but the biting winds of societal indifference.
Venture further into this landscape of despair, and you’ll find fields where farmers once sowed dreams but now stand over blighted crops and cracked earth. Their debt mounts as hope withers, leaving a harvest of sorrow and a grim tally of lives lost to the despair of their failing gambits against a changing climate.
Within the harsh light of hospital corridors, you can glimpse the ongoing siege by rampant diseases, old and new, claiming lives and breaking spirits. Diseases indiscriminately plunder the ranks of humanity, leaving empty chairs at dinner tables and an echo of laughter that will never again be heard.
Amid destroyed cities, where the buildings resemble the remains of a once thriving life, the canvas is marked with the scars of violence. Children with eyes that betray their youthful faces, soldiers with hands that can never forget the weight of their guns, and citizens who must display the resilience of stone while their world crumbles around them into dust.
It captures the chaos and terror of natural disasters. Hurricane winds tearing through homes, floods engulfing entire towns, and earthquakes reducing cities to rubble. In the aftermath, survivors are left to pick up the pieces, struggling to find necessities and safety amidst the ruins. It’s a heart-wrenching sight that reminds us of the tremendous power of Mother Nature and the resilience of the human spirit.
As we look at this mess of chaos, where every stroke tries to tell a story that’s sadder than the last one, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed by all the suffering. This painting never lets up in showing us the worst of what we go through, almost like it’s daring us not to look away from all the heartache, unfairness, and pain that’s just as much a part of the human experience as any happiness.
“What’s Going On?” it screams in a voice hoarse with tragedy, demanding we confront the pervasive disasters and hidden catastrophes that beset so many. It is a mirror shattered into a million pieces, each reflecting a story of hardship that begs not just for acknowledgement but for action, for a change drawn not with passive strokes but with powerful lines of active compassion.
Amidst the chaos of the storm, the canvas speaks loudly with the emotions of those who are struggling to be heard. It is painted with the ashes of fires that displace and the colours of conflict and healing. This painting showcases the unbreakable human spirit that endures even in adversity.
Bold and aggressive strokes rip apart the painting. Each one seems like a scream. It is like a mother yelling as the earth takes away her home, a father’s roar as war’s indiscriminate embrace takes his child, and the young ones’ silent fury because their future has been mortgaged to the mistakes of the past. They scream into the void, their voices filled with rage and euphoria from having survived another day.
There’s the penetrating sorrow and frustration of those whose cries for equality are smothered, whose dreams are deferred by the inertia of the privileged and the rigidity of antiquated systems. These tears fall heavy, watering the roots of movements that will not be denied, that grow with the ferocity of the disenfranchised claiming their due space.
This painting is full of life and energy, with the throbbing veins of the collective voices – from the chants of Black Lives Matter to the loud demands of climate activists. It also reflects the piercing pain of communities struggling with the ongoing pandemic and its devastating effects. Additionally, the gender wars, women’s rights worldwide, and the fight against systematic oppression are some of the other issues represented here.
It’s like the painting can’t handle its emotions and spills out of the frame, leaving marks across the gallery walls. It’s like hearing a battle cry and a symphony simultaneously, with so much raw emotion that you can’t ignore it.
The tears in this painting are so real like they fell from the sky during a storm. The artist must have been furious and hopeful at the same time to create such a masterpiece. They believed that even though everything is falling apart and coming back together, we can still make things right and start over.
“What’s Going On?” is a work that remains unfinished and defies neat conclusions. It refuses to conform to the tidy, framed endings we might seek. This piece is a forever-evolving mural of the human story, with each viewer adding a touch of rage, a note of joy, or a teardrop of resolve. It is constantly in progress and open to interpretation.
