H. Piker Portrait

As you gaze into this portrait, its subject stares right back at you. If you know him, what you know of him will fundamentally alter this portrait.

His detractors may see a series of contradictions and lies. A rich socialist, a propagandist with an agenda, a radical terrorist sympathizer that donates to charity. It’s easy to criticize Hassan Piker, he has very polarizing perspectives that even I disagree with at times. However his less critically thinking detractors are quick to disagree with his every view and denounce him as they would a cereal killer. These folks may see my portrait and feel a mix of emotions: confusion, anger, and hatred are a few I could imagine. If made to consider its implications or meaning, I’d assume someone with this perspective would see my work as sycophantic fan art. A grift within a grift. Above all, his detractors may see this as a grave moral evil staring them in the face with the same lack of emotion and respect with which they behold this very portrait. These folks are not likely to engage positively with this portrait and its associated online presence. That is, if they chose to engage with it at all.

I don’t care much about any of this… death threats are uncool, but whatever I guess. I sure don’t care about debunking, refuting, or arguing with this perspective. I don’t believe arguments from the esteemed “Sum Dum Website” would be convincing to an outside reader. If you’re genuinely curious about the perspective that often agrees with such a controversial figure your best resource would be literature. My personal favorites are:

“The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History” by Elizabeth Kolbert.

“Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” by Frederick Douglass.

“Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life” by Jon Lee Anderson.

“Blackshirts and Reds” by Michael Parenti.

If you ask me what this portrait is about, I’d say it’s about a relatable man, with even more relatable humanity. I’d tell you its someone that speaks up about important issues like ethnic cleansing, racism, imperialism and so much more. It’s about the attitude and emotion behind his expression. The grit and resolve needed to face a world against you and continue to struggle for freedom. This is about an imperfect man reacting to an imperfect world…

If you’ve made it this far, seriously thanks for reading.