how did you put your emotions Into your work referring to racism and the current events
-
@Coley thanks coley! We are asked to speak up, and it’s hard. There’s tons of fear in speaking up. Telling someone i love them I hope is the right direction. And if I need to do it differently, I’ll try again.
-
Focusing on a specific, close community seems like a good start--much less nebulous than addressing social media at large. In writing, people often are encouraged to speak to an audience of one and accept that anyone beyond that might not connect with what they're saying. So I think the more you hone in on conversations with individuals or on specific experiences, the better! All the intensity of 2020 seems like it's going to reshape the foundational question of why we create what we create. That exploration in itself is worth processing via art. Lots of slow, intentional learning ahead. Thank you for sharing
-
Reminds me of this work by Shayda Campbell
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6rKG8nbW77s -
@slywriter thanks so much for your thoughts. I do like what you said about finding your audience or individual to speak to. There’s so much to say, but who do you want to reach or touch with your work. Or even talk to. That’s awesome. And lots of slow growth for sure in 2020. The pandemic and isolation was so surreal and different to anything the world was accustomed to. And then the social and racial (I can’t even think of a name or title of this that is fitting) happenings? Is something that is reoccurring and been happening for longer than our country has existed. That is a slow change and hopefully at some point we will be able to see a difference in the world. But honestly, not looking to change the world, just myself, my home and continue to reach out as best as I can. It’s the old starfish story, “it mattered to that one.” I can’t fix the problem, but I can tell someone I love them. I can make someone smile. And I can learn more and be better.
-
@KathrynAdebayo that was a great piece! Thanks for sharing that with me. Great message and beautiful watercolors.
-
Yeah. I had to have some serious conversations with a friend who always wanted to be a police officer because of the films he’s watched and he had a difficult time realizing how in reality they are more often than not, a problem rather than heroes.
For him and many like him this is only the beginning of realizing how big of a problem this is and has been for a long time. And why it’s very important to have these conversations and offer support to the BLM movement.
It completely blew his mind when I brought up the topic of prison labor and how many companies that have “made in america” printed on them use prison labor.
Anyway, in terms of using art to support I’ve been doing caricatures for $20 a piece and donating it all to various charities. Managed to raise $300 so far. It’s not a lot but I encourage anyone doing commissions that can afford to do so to consider donating all, or some, of their commission income towards various organizations. If you want a list of organizations or what they do to support let me know I’d be happy to provide them.
-
@ArtofAleksey that's awesome. I've been doing a similar thing--people send me proof of donation to various organizations, initiatives, bail funds, etc, and I draw them a custom doodle. $2500 so far--it works!! And I'm also happy to share lists and ideas if anyone's interested.
-
@esgoldman oh rad! Great job
-
@esgoldman and @ArtofAleksey you guys are killing it! That’s awesome. I would love a list. I have a few things in mind already, but I would love to see what you guys have come up with.
The images I posted are going to be turned into notecards. That’s kinda what I do. And all the profits from that will be donated to something. I want to explore “be the bridge.” A woman on Instagram has promoted them. Her handle is @ohhappydani . I think I spelled it right. She is super kind to “white Christians” yet insanely informative. SOOOOO good. I feel that changes hearts can be done in so many ways and she really has a way to bring out the compassion and understanding that has helped me even break through to my family. Not to mention push my thinking.
I kinda want to do a sticker that says “listen, learn, act.” Maybe in the center of the flower heart. And those profits would go to the cause as well. I know there is much to be done In Systematic reforms of organizations. But... there are many many many hearts that need to break down their defensive walls and try and understand with compassion and look. I kinda feel like that is where I need to start. Where my scope of influence can start.
-
@Whitney-Simms those ideas sound great! I love "listen, learn, act" as a message.
I found that a lot of the bigger, widely publicized initiatives were overwhelmed with donations last week, so now I'm focusing on smaller, more local funds and organizations. Here's an amazing (and expanding) list of Black funds and "creative ecosystems" that Annika Hansteen-Izora put together: https://www.instagram.com/p/CA-7yLGh3DP/...might be a good starting point or lead you elsewhere.
-
Oops, I messed up that link: https://www.instagram.com/p/CA-7yLGh3DP/
-
This is a pretty good list.
I would also consider ACLU and various bail funds in the cities major protests are happening
Minneapolis seems to have gotten plenty of support and have requested people to donate to other bail funds. (Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Bronx, etc). They are helping those wrongfully arrested during protests.If you want to donate to those having a hard time due to covid I suggest the Navajo Relief Fund or Partnership With Native Americans as well. They have lost a majority of their resources due to covid, including standard necessities like food and medical supplies, especially the elderly.
-
@ArtofAleksey Yes!! ^^^
Though I do know that Brooklyn Bail Fund isn't accepting donations anymore...
Another good idea is legal defense for protesters--NK Jemisin lays out some options here: https://twitter.com/nkjemisin/status/1270387121501716480 -
@esgoldman oh i must have donated before that happened. Thanks for more information.
