One Sunday morning I decided to take a break from my Covid-19 quarantine and take a car ride. While riding down Mt Vernon Avenue, I saw a sign that said, “Affirm Black Life”. I thought I saw an arrow, so I decided to park my car to investigate.
Protest
I think that murals are my way of self-expression and protest. I have a new born; so, I’m not on the front lines. This is my way of having a voice in the fight. My message: is our goal is peace and equality.
I love the splash of color! In my opinion, it looks much better than seeing plywood all over downtown. It also allows residents and visitors to be exposed to and appreciate some of the talent of the artists who live in the area.
I love watching artists collaborate and create!
After the widespread access of videos showing horrific police brutality, the employees of Martini’s asked me to come down and leave a positive message for the community not only express grief, but also to provide comfort and solace.
I love seeing artists create live. One of my favorite festivals was cancelled (Columbus Arts Festival). I know, I know they had virtual activities. But, to me it’s not the same. I love being able to interact with the artists.
In my opinion this work represents unity. Just by viewing the artists pictures it is obvious that they are different. Each artist worked together bringing their talents to produce a cohesive piece.
In my opinion, it looks much better than seeing plywood all over downtown. It also allows residents and visitors to be exposed to and appreciate some of the talent of the artists who live in the area.
While driving downtown, I listened to a local minister on the radio. He was sharing that when he doesn’t say much that means he is processing the situation, trying to determine the best way to communicate his feelings whether it is being angry or frustrated. That is where I am today.
People are creative! I love that people are using their talents, ideas, resources, etc. to protest.
Tired of seeing blog posts on protests? Change public policy and procedures so protests are no longer necessary.
This is the first time that we as young adults have felt that we can use our voice and that our voice is being heard. This is the first time that we have seen other high school students become politically involved. Often our generation gets a bad rep (reputation) of not wanting to do anything.
My family lived in the part of Birmingham called “Dynamite Hill.” It is where the Klu Klux Klan dynamited houses belonging to civil rights leaders, and others who were challenging Jim Crow Laws.
The radical civil rights movement was founded and organized by white folks (the Quakers). The book “CORE the philosophy of the Civil Rights Movement”, by Elliot Rudwick traces how he got involved. He followed the white folks (Quakers). There has always been a black movement outside of that. The first black in CORE was James Farmer.
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