Starting a New Series Celebrating Truth Tellers

Truth is coercive. We acknowledge this with phrases like “I have to say” or “I must admit.” The truth can also be uncomfortable or downright onerous, those who speak it can become outcasts. Mark Twain wrote only dead men can tell the whole truth in this world. But in a time way too many of our bullshit detectors seem to be malfunctioning, we need truth tellers urgently.So I am starting a series of portraits celebrating truth tellers. This is, I must admit, partly because I am sick of drawing liars. It is my pleasure to introduce Truth Teller #1, Mark Twain

Truth Tellers #2 Elizabeth Peratrovich

(from Wikipedia) a Tlingit who worked for equality on behalf of Alaska Natives In the 1940s, her advocacy was credited as being instrumental in the passing of Alaska's Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945, the first state or territorial anti-discrimination law enacted in the United States since Reconstruction following the Civil War, putting Alaska almost 20 years ahead of the national civil rights movement.

Truth Teller #3 Hannah Arendt

Truth tellers #3 Hannah Arendt. The thinker whose book “Eichman in Jerusalem” about the trial of prominent Nazi Adolph Eichman gave us the chilling idea of “The banality of evil.” In the book, she describes how an ordinary person can become a monster, yet remain seemingly normal. Such people try to live in a moral twilight, never deciding between good and bad. As Arendt observed ”The sad truth is that most evil is done by people who never make up their minds to be good or evil.”

Truth Teller #4 George Orwell

Truth Teller #4 George Orwell. Orwell’s look into the dystopian future, the novel 1984, was likely a big reason that dystopian future didn’t come true. Or did it? War is peace, freedom is slavery, Ignorance is strength. Big brother is watching you.

Truth Tellers #5 Nelson Mandela

Truth Teller #5 Nelson Mandela. First democratically elected President of South Africa. After spending almost three decades in jail for his anti-apartheid activities, Mandela emerged from prison without anger or bitterness to negotiate an end to the racially segregated regime. The example of grace he set made him beloved the World over.

Truth Tellers #6, Abraham Lincoln

Truth Teller #6 Abe Lincoln, an eloquent speaker who could go from the folksiest banter to the heights of oratory. The man that held the United States together through the toughest times since the Revolution, despite serious depression and who ultimately paid for his success with his life.”Honest Abe” is seen by many as our greatest President.

Truth Teller #7 Edmund Burke

Truth Teller #7 Edmund Burke. I will throw conservatives a bone here by quoting the father of modern conservatism. I think his observation that government is a pact between the dead, the living and the yet born is majestic, concise and true today as it was when he wrote the words in the late 1700s. But now that we have the power to wipe humanity off the planet, I believe the meaning of that truth has changed.