signs of the times

The State of America pays homage to the visual language of 1930s–1950s propaganda and twists it to show how division keeps power in place. The crossed-out “United” and missing “S” in “States” turn the phrase into something dark; not a united country, but a single, controlling state. The red and blue figures being torn apart show how people are pushed to fight each other while those at the top benefit from the chaos and strip away what once made this country united and free. It’s not just about outrage, it’s about how hate, misinformation, and anti-intellectualism are used to erase what makes everyone American. The denial of history, the rejection of truth, and the constant framing of “us versus them” keep people distracted and looking sideways instead of up. This piece is satire, but it’s also a reflection of the moment we’re in. When unity becomes the enemy, the only way forward is to see through the manipulation and remember where to aim: punch up, not down.