“White As Might” [Reflections On Book - 100 Ideas That Changed Graphic Design Stephen Heller and Veronique Vienne - #72]
The white man’s burden of guilt they say,
Is short-cut symbol of power, at play
Upon those burdened with history,
And genes un-tinted – who’ve come to see –Their days are numbered as ruling class;
Now “White’s” polluted, importing sass;
It’s all baloney, elitist shtick –
Most groups crave power – it makes them tick.When page is empty, it’s power-full –
The less things on it, the more its pull;
Relief for eyestrain; a frame unseen;
White-space has meaning – small use there’s been.Viewed as elitist, a wasteful stretch;
As opening gambit, impact to etch
Upon one’s psyche, it carries punch;
But lots despise it – as racist bunk –Some feel excluded (for sundry cause);
White-space offends them and gives them pause –
“Just tell your story; don’t be a snob”
But in reversal, it costs more – blob –Of black (white printing) takes far more ink;
Makes reading harder; must bleed, not shrink;
I like the power when juxtaposed
With gray-tone pictures, and punch exposed.So Lord, O maker of race and clan,
Your view’s accepting of every land,
If white-space says it, or better, black,
I say, “Let’s use it – with words attack –The forts defending some biased gig;
Let’s use such weapons that earth be rid
Of superstitions, in-group elite;
Use power-pictures to hate defeat.Thanks Lord for this.
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