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After Elections, Strangers Left Messages On New York’s Subway Walls To Remind Us All That We Will Be Okay
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After Elections, Strangers Left Messages On New York’s Subway Walls To Remind Us All That We Will Be Okay

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After the US Election result, for some, our response is only to act through criticism. We run to protest. We reach for the megaphone. We tweet until we’re blue in the face. And that’s great — we need people on the front lines. But for many of us, we need to be OK ourselves before we can act. We need inner peace. We need focus. We need time. And that’s where the idea of Subway Therapy by “Levee” comes in.

Artist Matthew “Levee” Chavez runs Subway Therapy below the streets of New York City. He usually sets up shop underground with a table and two chairs — one for him, and another for any stranger to sit down and chat about whatever’s on their mind.

Chavez thought his services would be especially helpful in the aftermath of a divisive election that left many feeling anxious, scared, and confounded. “I think there’s so much fear, despair, depression, anxiety, stress, that it’s really crippling people’s ability to move forward,” he said.

He pulled out his table and chairs, like usual, but decided to go a step further this time, bringing Post-it notes and some pens for folks to express themselves in writing and stick their notes to the tiled wall.

More info: Facebook

RELATED:

    This artist asked strangers to post notes on New York’s subway walls to express their feelings about election

    The idea took off. About 1,500 notes were left posted to the wall

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    Writing your emotions on a sticky note clearly helps

    “We will be OKAY”

    “Your Hijab is Beautiful,” it clearly says it all

    “I will always stand by your side,” read another

    “Stand tall. We will overcome and grow together”

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    “Dear NY… Walk into this storm with strong hearts and firm feet”

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    “I love you”

    “Have a voice”

    What an amazing day. 1,500 posts by so many awesome people

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    Bookish Bitz

    Bookish Bitz

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    Books, poetry, music, literature, nature, sight of stars, flowers, art, beauty, love and compassion; this is what we stay alive for.

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    Bookish Bitz

    Bookish Bitz

    Author, Community member

    Books, poetry, music, literature, nature, sight of stars, flowers, art, beauty, love and compassion; this is what we stay alive for.

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    Lorraine
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've never seen my country so divided. Not everyone can agree all the time and be united, but it's never been like this here for all the years that I've been alive. It has been in the past, but it would be a shame for this country to move backwards and erase all the progress that past Presidents have made. I hope that all the violence and harassment is merely temporary and will come to a stop soon. My family and I are lucky that we haven't experienced any severe harassment yet after the election, but my friend's mother and brother had been egged by a car full of young racist trump supporters simply because they are people of color and they were told to "Go back to your country!" but they actually are citizens of the US, but those people did not care. I do not wish this upon anyone else. The election is over, we can get over the results and accept it, but minorities continue to be harassed out there. Be safe out there. Act with knowledge and not violence.

    Daria B
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Very well said. Just remember that all the progress was done less by presidents and more by you - American people and your ancestors. And no, I'm not talking about your voting gestures, I'm talking about actual hard work and education. A president may be indeed in service of the people, or s/he can be selfish, or even immoral, but the ones who run your country is you. Never forget that.

    Load More Replies...
    Intensive Panda
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    drama queens everywhere... Trump isn't the worst thing to happen in your life, trust me

    Liliana V
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I LOVE this. Thank god not everyone there was not very many people getting cruel about others choices or the candidates. I love the words of encouragement!

    Load More Comments
    Lorraine
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've never seen my country so divided. Not everyone can agree all the time and be united, but it's never been like this here for all the years that I've been alive. It has been in the past, but it would be a shame for this country to move backwards and erase all the progress that past Presidents have made. I hope that all the violence and harassment is merely temporary and will come to a stop soon. My family and I are lucky that we haven't experienced any severe harassment yet after the election, but my friend's mother and brother had been egged by a car full of young racist trump supporters simply because they are people of color and they were told to "Go back to your country!" but they actually are citizens of the US, but those people did not care. I do not wish this upon anyone else. The election is over, we can get over the results and accept it, but minorities continue to be harassed out there. Be safe out there. Act with knowledge and not violence.

    Daria B
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Very well said. Just remember that all the progress was done less by presidents and more by you - American people and your ancestors. And no, I'm not talking about your voting gestures, I'm talking about actual hard work and education. A president may be indeed in service of the people, or s/he can be selfish, or even immoral, but the ones who run your country is you. Never forget that.

    Load More Replies...
    Intensive Panda
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    drama queens everywhere... Trump isn't the worst thing to happen in your life, trust me

    Liliana V
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I LOVE this. Thank god not everyone there was not very many people getting cruel about others choices or the candidates. I love the words of encouragement!

    Load More Comments
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