I look at the images and words posted by ruddy roye on his instagram account @ruddyroye and ask myself, "how am i using this platform? is it enough to simply share the stories i encounter in my day-to-day life or should i be doing more?" in earlier years - actually in earlier months - i used instagram and my blogs to express my thoughts and feelings about where my nation was going with its wars, violence, injustice and outrages against persons of color, refugees, immigrants, muslims, the poor, g**s and women. i saw my role as an artist and social activist as one and the same. i called myself a "creative activist" and felt this was how i could most effectively be an agent of change. after the presidential election in november, things began to change for me personally. i found the more i focused on what was happening with the new administration, the more i lost myself. i became filled with anger, indignation and despair. it was only when i attended the rauschenberg residency in march and april of this year and for six weeks devoted myself entirely to creating art instead of staying informed and agitated, that i found myself again. that was when i discovered that in order to create i had to distance myself from the news and the man who is sitting in the white house. and that is where i am today. is simply creating, enough? should i be doing more? i don't know. what i do know is that throughout history artists have managed to counter the destruction around them by staying true to their inner vision and its outer expression. in order to do that we must protect the passion that fuels our creative fire. for each of us that will take a different form. the key is to understand who we are, how we can best express the truth as we know it, while remaining compassionate, concerned and caring. that will always be enough. #familiesindetroit #families #detroit

#hurricaneharvey #houstonflood #bloomberg

Photo by @amivitale. young elephant bawa is getting some love from shaba at reteti elephant sanctuary (@r.e.s.c.u.e). bawa has gotten beneath shaba and is looking for affection. shaba is acting like a mother, letting him nestle so close beneath her head. she is the leader of the packed of orphaned elephants being cared for at reteti. follow @r.e.s.c.u.e and nearby sarara camp (@sararacamp) to support and learn more about these initiatives. #dontletthemdisappear @nrt_kenya @lewa_wildlife @conservationorg @tusk_org @kenyawildlifeservice @sandiegozoo @natgeo @natgeocreative @thephotosociety @nikonusa @nature_africa #elephant #saveelephants #retetielephants #stoppoaching #kenya #northernkenya #magicalkenya #whyilovekenya #africa #everydayafrica #nikonusa #nikonlove #nikonnofilter #nikonambassador #nikond5s #photojournalism #amivitale

Fashion anorak. by #jurglindenberger for #studioanorak

Glow. 😁 @nadineleopold + @hannahfergusonofficial star in the new @crfashionbook. #📷 @richardburbridge #👗 @carineroitfeld 💇🏼 @ward_hair #💄 @peterphilipsmakeup #👸🏼 #imgstars

#elleausloves @prada’s new collection of made to order pumps. you can select your ideal heel height, colour, material, monogram… the lot. shoes will be delivered within 8 weeks of ordering (fyi: there’s 16 weeks til christmas 😱) so get thee to a prada store 🙏🏻

Oh na na..... never gets old 😂 #throwback

Can't wait for you to see this film y'all! ❤️❤️❤️ @homeagainmovie la premiere. ( #ladyinred look: 💃🏼@roland_mouret, 👠@louboutinworld, 💎 @jackvartanian, 💄 @mollyrstern & @elizabetharden, 💇 @lonavigi, & styling @petraflannery)

Happy birthday to the king of pop, michael jackson!! we will love you forever ♥️

Only three days to go until we head to #mtvpresents gibraltar calling! we can't wait to see @ricky_martin @yearsandyears @charli_xcx @hindsband @jonasblue @r3wire @varski @theamazons @craigdavid @tiniegram @bastilledan @cleanbandit @kaiserchiefs @thevaccines @officialfatboyslim @steveaoki and more! 😱💕

These are propaganda posters in central pyongyang and the one in the middle says mainland usa is within north korea’s striking range. on tuesday, north korea launched a missile over japan and nk state media said it's a prelude to more military operations directed at guam. (📷 by @davidhcnn)

Kya aap jaante the #vighnahartaganesh ke ekdant hone ke peeche ki vajah? paayiye unki adbhut jeevani ke baare mein dher saara gyaan somavaar-shukravaar raat 8 baje.

📷 from @waffles_the_cat 😅😅😅😅😅 ~ double tap ❤❤ 🐱🐱shop for cat lovers 👉 @happypetclub bio #catloversclub

Kiss me through your screen😘

@zhidkoe.steklo - Жидкое стекло от Японской компании willson. ▪️Одной упаковки хватает на 2-3 авто ▪️Предельно простое нанесение ▪️Эффект сохраняется в течении года ▪️Отлично скрывает царапины ▪️Даёт эффект зеркального отражения Цена комплекта 1000 руб по скидке Оплата заказа при получении на почте @zhidkoe.steklo - ЗАКАЗАТЬ

🐶🌎🐶 #rehome #rescue #rehoming #rescuedog #foreverhome #dog #love #cute #doglover #lovedogs #dogoftheday #instadog #dogsofinstagram #beautifulworld

From @baby_grl2 #dog #dogs #lovedogs #dogsofinstagram #dogstagram #doglover #dogoftheday #insta_dog #ilovemydog #doglovers #instadogs #dogslife #doggie #doglove #happydog

One step at a time 🎥: @thefirstsnow_corgi #mydogiscutest #corgi

🎂 happy birthday to lisbon lion, bobby lennox! 🦁

Benedikt höwedes arrives at #jmedical for his juve medical! 🇩🇪

🎂 avui és l’aniversari de @paco93alcacer! moltes felicitats! deixa-li el teu missatge amb l’etiqueta #alcacer24! 🎂 hoy es el aniversario de @paco93alcacer! ¡muchas felicidades! déjale tu mensaje con el hashtag #alcacer24! 🎂 today is @paco93alcacer's birthday. happy birthday! post your wishes with the hashtag #alcacer24

September 1st is just around the corner. 🐬 need signage for japan dolphins day? download @dolphin_project's free posters by following this link ⇢ http://buff.ly/2w49i3t #dolphinproject #emptythetanks #thecove

@tritonsubmarines 3300/2, made for adventures up to 3,300 feet below sea level! #submarine #triton #superyacht #antarctica

Make sure you are already following @ourplanetdaily to see more of the best ocean and nature photography! swimming freely photo by © @benjhicks #discoverocean

Everything is under control. 🙌🏻 photo shot by @salehnikon. __________________ mercedes-amg s 63 coupé - fuel consumption 10.3 - 10.1 l/100 km | co2 emission combined 242 - 237 g/km . #mercedesbenz #mercedesamg #amg🔥 #amgs63coupe #mbfanphoto #⭐️ #📹 #keepaneyeout #eyeseverywhere #mbcar #automotivedesign

#houstonstrong | #s4 #audi_regram #regram @quattro.kate

Choose your huracan😍 tag a friend🔥 via:@mrlelong

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Great giant tray of nachos from @tallulasrestaurant #👶🏽🌮 👌🏽 @visitcalifornia @seesantamonica #foodbabylovestallulas #foodbabynytolosangeles

#bangalore . rain must must be enjoyed with a great cuppa coffee #southindian style 😎 . location: go native, 5th block, jayanagar . by: @meghanagaonkar . . #foodtalkindia #foodtalk #filtercoffee #coffee #rains #caffeine #coffeelovers