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There is unique power in the physical act of writing and sharing a postcard. 

The slow-motion police murder of George Floyd, broadcast live, has brought millions around the world into the streets to demand an end to systemic racism. But how do we translate this incredible moment into enduring social change? How might we speak to our legislators and to each other?

In 2015, Fine Acts partnered with seasoned documentarian Jon Lowenstein to produce Postcards from Ferguson – a set of 8 postcards featuring powerful images of black protest that addressed racial inequality by subverting the heinous tradition of lynching postcards.

Postcards from Ferguson were distributed to communities, organizations, and individuals as a tool for change. From school kids to the elderly, senders amplified messages of hope for racial justice, cries for change, and described their own lived experiences to representatives, police commissioners, families, friends, and loved ones.

Today, we launch Postcards from Forever. Because forever does not have to mean Forever.


We stand with Black Lives Matter in their calls for radical, sustainable solutions that affirm the prosperity of Black lives. Working in collaboration with a host of photographers from the US and beyond, and using potent historical and contemporary images of black life, Postcards from Forever highlight the timelessness and perpetuity of racism and police brutality while also creating a space where everyday people can demand that their legislators work toward a more accountable, equitable future.

It is time to end state-sanctioned racism against black communities. 

Put your stamp on history. 

 

Demand Justice

1/
Download one (or more) of the postcards on this site. 
Print it at your local print shop. 

2/
Address it. 

Demand justice. Demand action from your representatives. Demand an end to police violence in America. 

Where to start? This frequently updated list http://www.ally.wiki/ includes relevant contacts of officials. You can also use this tool to find your state representatives and demand action to end police violence. 

3/
If you’d like, take a snap and share your message online with #postcardsfromforever – so others can see your call for justice, and get inspired to write their own. 

4/
Mail it. 

5/
Repeat.

 
Barack Obama and his wife Michelle greet throngs of supporters at the 79th Annual Bud Billiken Parade on Chicago’s South Side. The Bud Billiken is the country’s largest predominantly African American parade.

Barack Obama and his wife Michelle greet throngs of supporters at the 79th Annual Bud Billiken Parade on Chicago’s South Side. The Bud Billiken is the country’s largest predominantly African American parade.

Barack Obama and his wife Michelle greet throngs of supporters at the 79th Annual Bud Billiken Parade on Chicago’s South Side. The Bud Billiken is the country’s largest predominantly African American parade.

Barack Obama and his wife Michelle greet throngs of supporters at the 79th Annual Bud Billiken Parade on Chicago’s South Side. The Bud Billiken is the country’s largest predominantly African American parade.

Black woman being carried to police patrol wagon during demonstration in Brooklyn, New York

Black woman being carried to police patrol wagon during demonstration in Brooklyn, New York

The day before the police had shot and killed a young man one block east of this event. A fight ensued between two groups of women. The police broke up the fight and detained the women.

The day before the police had shot and killed a young man one block east of this event. A fight ensued between two groups of women. The police broke up the fight and detained the women.

Barack Obama and his wife Michelle greet throngs of supporters at the 79th Annual Bud Billiken Parade on Chicago’s South Side. The Bud Billiken is the country’s largest predominantly African American parade.

Barack Obama and his wife Michelle greet throngs of supporters at the 79th Annual Bud Billiken Parade on Chicago’s South Side. The Bud Billiken is the country’s largest predominantly African American parade.

 

About the Campaign

Postcards from Forever is a joint project by Fine Acts, Jon Lowenstein, and The Lions Share NYC. 

Jon Lowenstein has been a professional photographer for more than 25 years. He specializes in long-term, in-depth projects that confront the realms of power, poverty, and violence. As a documentary photographer, he strives for unsparing clarity and believes images make a critical contribution by revealing the subjects of history that lack voice. 

Lowenstein’s commitment to social justice through community engagement runs deep. He has spent the past decade engaging his adopted community on Chicago’s South Side. This extensive body of work challenges accepted notions about community, poverty and the legacy of violence and segregation. Ultimately, he explores the social distance between hope and despair. 

Lowenstein is a National Geographic Explorer, a Guggenheim Fellow and a TED speaker and Senior Fellow. was named one of 30 photographers in the world to be honored by the Eddie Adams Workshop for their 30th anniversary. 

He is member and owner of the NOOR Images cooperative and photo agency.

Fine Acts is a creative studio for social impact. We are a global nonprofit that believes in the power of art and multidisciplinary play. In our work, we think about ways to make people care and act, and we create novel avenues to empower activism.

Legal texts

Credit to all photographers & other partner organisations

Credit to everyone involved 

The Lions Share NYC is a multi-faceted organization created to support COVID-19 relief specifically in NYC. Currently, they are facilitating communications and handling logistics between hospital personnel and suppliers/manufacturers able to produce PPE in order to reduce supply bottlenecks. 

Postcards from Forever has no direct affiliation with Black Lives Matter, but you can learn more about their awesome work at https://blacklivesmatter.com/.