“When things get tough, this is what you should do: Make good art.” —Neil Gaiman
Of all the things that inspire me, the power, creativity, and deep-seated compassion of the upcoming generation ranks right near the top.
When President Trump signed Executive Order 13769 — halting all refugee admissions and temporarily barring citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries — three students, part of ADTHING at the University of Utah, put their heads together and got to work.
They decided to do something.
To make something.
Something powerful and tangible and real.
Something generous and beautiful and human.
“This wasn’t a liberal or conservative thing,” said Caroline Moreton, Writer of The Open Letter film. “After our country's immigration ban, we knew we had to do something. We had to show support for those affected by it.”
“It just seemed like the right thing to do,” said Sage Bennett, Assistant Director. “To stand up for inclusion and diversity. To spread love in a way that didn't feel too soft or easily dismissible. To make people think, feel, and then put that feeling into action.”
As the students’ stunning campaign website states, and Director Parker Gibbons reiterates, “We don't have an agenda. We’re just three students from the University of Utah who have felt powerless in the wake of the changing immigration laws of this country. So we spent all of last month writing an open letter. To everyone.”
Watch full screen, full volume. Then go sign The Open Letter Pledge. Feel your hope tank replenish.
Support HuffPost
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.