It seems that these days, in order to be famous or taken seriously you have to be dead. Really, to not be well known is almost a death sentence in itself because our mainstream of political campaigning is revolved around the television and radio (where bashing the credentials of other politicians is probably the most statistically UN-staggering and common approach). Our systematic structure of donning credentials has become stipulated by few things other than being already famous (rich) or dead.

So what else is there? How can one artist or artiste who we might consider “underground” weigh into this world with their views and ideologies? Perhaps the most famous writers and artists are at a disadvantage-at least to those of us who remain underground! Surely, the people who come into money and fame based on their last name are much more centered in the public eye and are almost expected to provide influence on political ideas: abortion (Mel Gibson) gay marriages (Mel Gibson). But the average Joe (who may not really, after all, be all that average) has a much more difficult time gaining his or her accreditation. Is that what we need though? Accreditation? Or, maybe, is it courage and relentlessness?

The Internet has taken over the world, no doubt, no question. There are however, people who still read; books, magazines, newspapers. And believe it or not, there are still people who opt for a trip to an art gallery over a porn site. This is opportunity is it not? True, it may be difficult to gain recognition. And to fabricate an influence in a time where fame accounts for nearly everything that speaks for or against an idea, makes it all the more daunting. Yet I cannot help but to focus on the stubbornness that is needed for someone to become successful. The underground artist, if he is courageous, is not so much underground as he is undiscovered. What is the difference? An underground artist has two potentials: success and failure; the undiscovered artist has the same potentials, yet is defined by his bravery that is the face of his voice.

To be underground is to only be undiscovered. To be undiscovered is only to have yet not worked hard enough. There are still branches, loopholes where we-the minority of the minority,perhaps-can mangle our way into the accreditation that is cumulatively more necessary each passing year.

Where do we begin then eh? Or when? Who knows. Maybe for me it starts with this article, which really, doesn’t mean a whole lot. It is an entry for a contest where I might win a few bucks. Maybe I won’t. How can I ever know if I don’t try? How can any artist make a name for himself or be that “political spokesperson” if he does not begin with one article, with one picture, one painting? He can’t.

Our voice is not strong because we are underground, it is strong because we are undiscovered. For how long is up to each himself.