Zines & Comics as an Act of Resistance
By Katie Mayer
The Wignall Museum hosted a Zines and Comics panel discussion on Feb. 7 with local artists and creators Tamara Cedré, Michael Segura, and Daniel Whitfield. This panel was moderated by Chaffey professors, Adam Martinez and Neil Watkins as they asked the artists about their experiences with zines, comics and how they relate to activism.
In the discussion, Cedré, Segura and Whitfield all spoke about their experiences with zines and comics. As all of the stories were different, they all were centered around their mission of protecting and exposing the city of San Bernardino from environmental, governmental, social and labor issues.
Cedré, a visiting professor at Pitzer College in Claremont and a lecturer at Cal State University of San Bernardino (CSUSB) discussed one of her most prominent projects, a project called The Space.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cedré documented San Bernardino community members’ stories through photography, audio and video. She compiled all of the stories into one massive zine in the form of a newspaper.
“[The Space] is a platform by and for local artists seeking visibility to issues at the intersection of the environment, labor, and social justice in the I.E.” Cedré writes in her letter to the editor.
Her current fight is surrounding the land uses in San Bernardino. Cedré takes a grassroots approach to meeting with state legislatures as she believes it is the most efficient way of holding people accountable in order to improve health and living conditions that are being affected by climate change and over-development of land.
Michael Segura, born and raised in San Bernardino, describes himself as an “organizer” rather than an activist, whose self-imposed purpose is to fight the gentrification and community rights of San Bernardino.
Through his creation of a comic book and zines, he illustrates the importance of Community Benefits Agreements (CBA) with large corporations in the area.
“It’s [CBAs] an agreement where the community has a say on livable wage jobs, local hires, green energy and affordable housing”, Segura states.
He claims that getting community members involved and voting on local issues would help fight the development and encroachment of gentrification that would raise prices for locals, which would eventually cause prices to increase that locals would no longer be able to afford.
Segura believes it comes down to getting the right people in office to make changes for the generations to come. He claims that the Garcia Center, which he enthusiastically describes as a “hub,” is a great resource for building community centered around art and support.
The third panelist, Daniel Whitfield, is an artist and small business owner of a cafe in San Bernardino, Birdcage Comics Cafe, which provides a safe place for “small press comics to the I.E.”.
In his cafe, Whitfield has over 1200 comics and zines for diners to enjoy with their coffees and sandwiches. He aims to create a community, a place for all to feel safe, especially within groups who are not usually accepted by society. For example, he held a Valentine's Day mixer at the Birdcage Comics Cafe for trans and queer folk to mingle. Whitfield also has recurring events on Wednesdays and Fridays for those struggling with mental health.
Whitfield mentions that he learns from others' art, and hopes others can do the same. Through that, “I believe the world will be a better place” Whitfield says.
One of the most common comics at the cafe is a comic about pronouns. He thinks it is increasingly popular because these comics have the ability to “change someone and [their] perspective by feeling their thoughts and emotions”.
Zine and comic artists are not just artists, they are catalysts for change. Empowering communities, bringing awareness and igniting conversations are some of the many important ways they are transcending the pages.
It was also announced that on Mar. 6 at the Wignall Museum, another zine and comics opportunity will be held. ZOMICS: A Festival of Zines and Comics will be a great opportunity to meet artists, engage in music, food and more.