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George Floyd
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2020-06-02
“Justice for George Floyd” sign in front of Historical Building
This is a sign that was put at the door of a historical building in Old Wethersfield, shortly following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The killing of George Flyod, more specifically, the recording, are what caused the widespread Black Lives Matter protests over the summer. To me, this image is important for the archive because it shows the significance of this event in 2020, because it shook the world, not even just the US, and that support for the movement and support for justice is being called for from ~1.3k miles away. The video was spread over social media, which allowed for it to reach that level of audience that it was exposed to. -
2020-12-09
Personal Instagram Story (December 9, 2020)
Since the unfair deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor back in May 2020, I have been posting on my Instagram story in the hopes of educating someone. While I try to defend it as activism, there is a level of performatism since I was not allowed to visit an protests with my mom’s health and seeing how the Boston police were handling the situation. It is easy to just post a picture of something that you agree with and not show yourself doing anything that will really hope. Recently I have been trying to read more books focused on theory in order to educate myself more and this has been a major focal point of my time lately. Along with this, I have also attempted to find more petitions to sign and donating more since my job has become more stable. This item connects to the criteria of “something significant about your generation”. This comes from the fact Gen Z has always had the internet as a major component in their life and many of us find our personal worth on social media apps such as TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. Being able to see these posts everyday keeps us engaged with the world around us, however, with Instagram’s policy of random posts, not everything is being seen and it leads to certain topics not getting the same exposure. I think that while social media is good in terms of activism, there is a major need for protesters still as they are the ones that get the most change done. There is also the importance of filling the archival silence as the larger topics are being discussed. As a white woman in 2020, educating myself and making sure the voices of minorities are heard before mine. I would rather post these little infographics than about my life because educating the masses is more important than my second time visiting Michaels each week. Giving even the smallest platform to these stories is important as many of my friends have said that they have learned something new from these. It sometimes feels like I’m posting into the void, but, I hope to get the larger message across anyway that I can. -
2020-12-07
History, Then and Now
History Final Paper -
2020-12-07
Utilizing American History to Understand Present Day Events
For my HIS 103 final project, I wrote an essay about how Americans utilize media platforms to draw connections between American history and current events. The similarities that contemporary Americans create reveal that while much has changed legally, our country continues to remain divided on the same topics. -
2020-11-29
International Businessman Oral History, 2020/11/29
IMPORTANT NOTE: My professor, Dr. Blake Jones, approved of the anonymity of my interview subject. My subject is highly private and wishes to maintain that anonymity for business and personal reasons. Max is a businessman from the United States. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business and holds an M.B.A. He has been conducting business in the electronics industry for over 40 years. He has a wife, adult children, and dogs. Max has been heavily involved in Asian markets in his business for multiple decades. He was a vital part of the explosion of Japanese electronics onto the American market in the 1980's, the rapid introduction of the Internet in the 1990's, and has most recently been working to implement the next generation of lighting displays for consumer electronics. Max’s life and work has been one that has been vital to the development of the world’s technological progress in the past 40 years, although he is not a household name. Max has lived through multiple important events and has a unique perspective on all of them as a businessman, agent of free enterprise, and average American providing for his family. He holds several unique opinions on current events and is not afraid to state them plainly. In this interview, he reflects on the difficulties and silver linings that COVID-19 has thrown at him in his work and personal life. -
11/27/2020
CJ Willingham Oral History, 2020/11/27.
The Oral History interview is with CJ Willingham and she describes her experiences and views during the pandemic year. CJ gives her encounters during the initial pandemic and how the pandemic is affecting her now. She explains her perspective on more than the pandemic. CJ shares her knowledge on protests, police brutality and police reform. -
2020-12-01
Pandemic to Historians
The pandemic of 2020 has brought to light the flaws of American history. -
2020-05-26
Black Lives Matter Cincinnati
Kristin braved the risks of contracting Covid-19 to join Black Lives Matter protesters all over the United States in the wake of the death of George Floyd. -
2020-10-05
The Pandemic in Prisons: Covid-19, Repression, and the Carceral State
This podcast episode is from the Revolutionary Left Radio podcast featuring show host Breht and guests. -
2020-05-30
Covid, Quarantine and Protest
While looking at this photo it reminds me of how even in disaster people are brought together. This photo resembles how society has began to change, you see the masks which wasn’t a norm until the pandemic had occurred. The people have come together in order to change a fault within the government. In order for the government to change what is wrong they need to hear the voices of the people and create laws to prevent the action from happening again. Records are kept in many ways but photos have been the best way, photos have given major representation and gives the audience a chance to interpret the picture and understand the time period. Due to the pandemic many people have had to been quarantined but during this quarantine many were able to access the internet and news spread like a wildfire. Everyone was able to understand the injustices that were occurring and were able to make a change. The photo to me, represents bravery and dedication despite any and all conflicts. -
2020-05-31
Black Lives Matter in North Dakota
After the George Floyd murder, citizens in Minot, ND put together a protest and vigil for Mr. Floyd at Oak Park in Minot, ND. Minneapolis is a mere eight hours from Minot and there were many people affected by Floyds murder in North Dakota. -
2020-11-06
Black Lives Matter Protests
I live in Des Moines, Iowa. We were hosts to many different protests. Many people wanted to keep things peaceful. This article talks about what happened. -
2020-06-01
Mayor of Phoenix in support of the movement
This screenshot is a statement that was released by the Mayor of Phoenix during the Black Lives Matter movement. In this statement the mayor explains how she is on their side and supports the peaceful protests for social justice. She also goes on to explain that the groups that are rioting and looting the city are not affiliated with those who are peacefully protesting, those are two separate groups. -
2020-05-05
Boogaloo Bois
During the riots after the death of George Floyd the Boogaloo Bois started to attend these rallies and seemingly supporting the BLM movement, while they seemed to look like they were supporting the police at first glance with their heavy weaponry and body vests that take a militaristic look with Hawaiian shirts under those vests. These are mainly gun enthusiasts who want to protect gun rights and want to have a government with less control. They are anti-government, pro-gun, who mainly are not racists as many people do believe. This was told to me by a coworker who I had the chance to get to know while working with him during the COVID pandemic. He told me that these guys are mainly misunderstood because people like to link them with White Supremacy because of the way they look and the way that they are perceived, due to some White Supremacy’s trying to link themselves to the Boogaloo movement. They have been given a bad rap because a small handful were arrested for shooting up a police building in early May 2020, in Minneapolis during a protest. -
2020-09-26
Summer Activism
During the summer there were many Black Lives Matter protests around the country. These protests drew large amounts of participants and brought attention to a conversation the country is long overdue on having. -
2020-06-18
St. Mary's Response to Racial Injustice: Email from President Thomas Mengler
The object is an email from St. Mary's University President Thomas Mengler recognized Juneteenth stating that campus will be closed that Friday, June 19th, 2020, for prayer and reflection on racial justice and racism in the U.S. In the email, President Mengler acknowledges the murder of George Floyd to reflect on during the summer of mass protests and the Black Lives Matter movement. The campus community is also called to action with upcoming initiatives to create an "anti-racist" university. Dialogue and action are said to occur and relate to the Mariniast belief and tradition to act for the common good. The email represents a significant time within our pandemic year, which was the death of George Floyd that influenced mass protests and greater momentum for the existing Black Lives Matter, demanding the police be defunded. The email portrays how St.Mary's as an institution has reflected on the national issue and its influence on Marianist culture and call to action. -
2020-11-02
We the people of social distancing
2 Ive heard people talk and stress the importance of social distancing, but when it comes down to it we tend to forget or disregard it. I know it is and still is important to go out and protest or get out of the house for our sanity but I feel like people continuing to disregard the “ 6 feet apart rule “ as we can clearly see in this photo. Social distancing no matter where , whether thats out there protesting, voting , shopping or getting dinner , you are should be followed to keep its effectiveness. I want the future to know that we didn’t do or try our best to help reduce or end corona whether it was because of our government not taking this seriously or because individuals continued to go out and further spread corona. -
2020-06-02
Blackout Tuesday
HIST30060 Despite the global pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement saw a resurgence after the murder of American George Floyd in May of this year. Protests were sparked all over the world, pushing for the action to end the systematic racism experienced by people of colour (POC) and indigenous people all around the globe. I took this screen recording on my phone when, on June 2nd of this year, people all over the world participated in what was called ‘Blackout Tuesday’, where they would post black squares to their instagram account in an effort to project the voices of those who experience the systematic racism. I follow many celebrities on instagram, which you can see in this video many participated in the movement. However, the effort was quickly criticised, as the masses of posts featuring the black square began to dominate the Black Lives Matter (BLM) hashtag on all social media, an important tool that had been used by many to organise and publicise protests all over the world. Instead of the intended goal of projecting black voices over their white counterparts, the black squares instead silenced the important information that was being spread through the hashtag, doing the opposite of the intended effect. -
2020-05-26
NAACP Responds to George Floyd
I live just South of Minneapolis. The murder of George Floyd was horrific and brutal. It disrupted the community at multiple levels and it is still disrupting it months later. The official response of the local NAACP chapter is important to note. -
2020-05-29
Rioting in the streets of Eugene, Oregon
On May 29th, 2020, a strip mall in Eugene, OR was vandalized by protestors of George Floyd’s death. -
2020-10-23
No New Friends during Covid
The saddest part about living my last year as a teenager during covid isn't the fact that I have to stay at home and live with my parents for the 8th month in a row while all of my friends go out and party, or the fact that I constantly feel like I'm wasting time and should be doing more with my life and my time, or the fact that I'm constantly at a crossroads about wanting to change my major but not wanting to do so remotely, and as a result making my curriculum harder than it needs to be. I would say that the saddest part of it all is all of the people I lost along the way. For starters, I guess being in the house 24/7 makes people reveal true colors. Not only did I lose friends, but I also lost love-interests and overall people I thought would be in my life forever. No these people did not die, but their relationships to me did. The first friendship lost was a guy I held very close to me during high-school, so close that our friend group continued to communicate with one-another post-graduation (which says a lot). The reason everything blew-up was his reaction to the BLM. Me, being an African-American girl would hope that I had chosen friends that would not support unnecessary police brutality, and instead stand-up for the killing of black lives... Sadly, this wasn't the case. Lost friend #1, remained quiet during this movement after George Floyd's murder, and instead only chose to speak about how the rioting and looting had inconvenienced his life as a caucasian male living in Naperville IL. You could say I was a little offended about where his concerns lie, but this didn't stop me from speaking on it and giving him the chance to save the friendship. The was a chance he neglected to take and let's just say that was the last time I have spoken to him. I do not believe that politics should be the "end-all-be-all for relationships, but not wanting someone to die because of the color of their skin is not politics... it's human rights. Moreover, friend #2 was lost during the period of COVID due to him developing a completely new personality and turning into someone who didn't respect the words of others, and instead get mad when things didn't go his way. Given that I had shared a lot of personal experiences with friend #2, I was very hurt to see this side of him. But this didn't stop me from cutting him off. I haven't spoken to him since April, may that friendship RIP. Moreover, countless people turned out to be the opposite of who I thought they were during this time, and I have cut many ties and burned many bridges amidst experiences COVID-19. Although on the bright side, those who are truly meant to be in my life have shown their loyalty and strengthened our bonds stronger than ever throughout the past few months, and for this, I will be forever grateful to have lived through something as life-altering as the pandemic. -
2020-10-20
We're Gonna Be Alright! [REVIEW]
This is my picture that was taken at a racial injustice march days after the police killing of George Floyd and in the midst of Covid-19. (That's me with the white towel around my neck) During this pandemic the majority of America has been focusing on health, economy, and getting back to normal. However, for most of us Black Americans the pandemic has been another exhausting setback to deal with in our pursuit of life, liberty, and the American dream. Unfortunately, our pursuit didn't just start during the pandemic and hasn't been going on for a few months, or even a year. This is a pursuit that has been going on all of our lives, the lives of our ancestors, and almost assuredly for the generations that will come after us! My hope is that when people look back and search Covid-19 and the pandemic of 2020, they will also look at the totality of the struggles of Black Americans. I want them to understand that our fight and struggle to live has been, and will always be more resilient then the forces opposing us, no matter if it's a viral agent or humanity itself! -
2020-06-06
Stop Black Deaths in Custody, BLM Protest - Melbourne
An image from the BLM protest in Melbourne. A protest sparked by George Floyd's murder but rooted in issues in so-called Australia. Always was, always will be. The protest was a vindication for abolitionists. Several thousands of people congregating without a single case of transmission between protestors and all community-led, in spite of heavy police presence. Highly communicative organisers, quick-thinking marshals, and responsible demonstrators made it a powerful and safe day. It was deeply affirming to be surrounded by so many who see and are concerned about white supremacy in comparable ways to me, and also a time to listen to voices of the strong activists who ought to be centred in discussions around Aboriginal deaths in custody, decolonisation, and police/prison abolition. HIST30060 -
2020-06-07
Camdenton, Mo Protest
Following the death of George Floyd, there were protests in many major cities. There also were protests in small rural towns as well. Camdenton is a tourist town near the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Protesters were at the main intersection in town, in front of the courthouse. Here, there was no standoff with police. During the time I was there, I only saw them drive by. Many shared stories of times they experienced racism, we also sang and chanted. I believe it is important because, in the middle of a pandemic, people risked their health to gather and protest for what they feel is right. -
2020-10-11
The Justice for George Floyd Information Map
As a librarian who works alot with maps, I am very impressed with this site: Justice for George Floyd. This is a way for anyone who wants to protest in the greater NYC area to keep track of upcoming and past events. You can also sign up and add your own events, which will then appear with a description link and an appropriate protesting icon on the map. -
2020-03
COVID-19 story
Around the date that this image was taken was when the initial wave of COVID-19 began. I chose this image to best reflect my experience with COVID-19 because this was also around the time with the George Floyd shootings. As such, this document was handy for various reasons. For one, being an African-American male was a very unique experience at the time, since Floyd’s shooting brought about both people who supported either the BLM movement or was against it. The connection with COVID-19 was that during that point in time during the Floyd shooting, COVID-19 was not the main headline. However, as a consequence to the protests and COVID, curfews were put in place in various states nationwide. This image helped protect me from any unnecessary confrontation that could occur after curfew hours. During a time where there was already enough tension between African-Americans and law enforcement, I did not want to put myself in a situation where I could be compromised. In addition, this image will go down in history for future generations to see of the overall impact that COVID-19 had globally. This pandemic made drastic changes to the way of life in which we lived – from curfews to furloughing employees, to food and toilet paper shortages. This image reminds me of my experience with COVID-19. Around the date that this image was taken was when the initial wave of COVID-19 began. I chose this image to best reflect my experience with COVID-19 because this was also around the time with the George Floyd shootings. As such, this document was handy for various reasons. For one, being an African-American male was a very unique experience at the time, since Floyd’s shooting brought about both people who supported either the BLM movement or was against it. The connection with COVID-19 was that during that point in time during the Floyd shooting, COVID-19 was not the main headline. However, as a consequence to the protests and COVID, curfews were put in place in various states nationwide. This image helped protect me from any unnecessary confrontation that could occur after curfew hours. During a time where there was already enough tension between African-Americans and law enforcement, I did not want to put myself in a situation where I could be compromised. In addition, this image will go down in history for future generations to see of the overall impact that COVID-19 had globally. This pandemic made drastic changes to the way of life in which we lived – from curfews to furloughing employees, to food and toilet paper shortages. This image reminds me of my experience with COVID-19. #REL101 -
2020-03-23
Nap Time
The drawing I’m submitting represents how the city felt at the beginning of the pandemic. New York is known as the city that never sleeps. However, for the first time ever I was witnessing how the city that never sleeps began to take a nap. The streets were empty, everyone was hoarding for toilet paper and groceries. It literally felt like I was in a movie. I never taught would spent most of the year stuck in my apartment. Everything happened so fast and unexpected that my brain couldn’t process everything that was happening. It just seemed so unreal. I watch the news and all I saw was fear on the eyes of the anchors while giving the number of deaths due to COVID-19. On the other hand we had the government officials spreading misinformation about possible cures for the virus. Some suggested that cleaning supplies would cure the virus and ironically some people believe it. A couple of weeks later we saw the horrible video of the death of George Floyd and all the protest and riots that occurred all over the country. I remember feeling very upset at the beginning so I decided to stop watching the news and focus the last energy that I had left in my school work and art. I love drawing and I found it very therapeutical. I chose to color the building of the city black and shade the sky with the color grey because we were going trough really dark times. I hope that in the near future I can go back to the park and use brighter colors that represent better vibes of the city. Like I said in the beginning we are just taking a nap temporarily but the sun will rise again. -
09/02/2020
Wildstyle Paschall Oral History, 2020/09/02
The interviewee in this oral history is a Black man who self identifies as an artist whose primary medium is photography; he is also an avid writer and local, community engaged, thought leader. In this interview, he shares his story of growing up in the United Northwest Area (UNWA) of Indianapolis and his experiences of COVID-19, activism and protests for racial justice, particularly following the killings of Dreasjon Reed in Indianapolis and George Floyd in Minneapolis. -
2020-06-16
Time Alone While Fighting Together
There's a lot wrong with the world and it seems that with everyday that goes by, there is a new challenge that we are faced with. This pandemic has been quite the paradox for me. Before the pandemic, I always wished I had more time to myself to do more creative things. As an artist, i am always sketching and designing but between work and school, I have no time to to bring my sketches and designs to life. When Covid-19 became a threat and quarantine was implemented, it put everything in my life on hold. Society in general was turned upside down. From, coronavirus deaths, to George Floyd, to riots and protests, everyday presented itself unrest and sorrow. During these chaotic times, I decided to capitalize on the time I had, therefore I referred to my sketches and designs, and began creating as much as I could. No matter what i created, i found that I would be immersed in the creative process and would in fact be meditating without realizing it. When i would create, everything going on would be temporarily non-existent. The circumstances of the time I had suddenly acquired was not ideal but I was nonetheless thankful because in some ways, i learned about myself. I created many things during quarantine but due to the virus, I like many other people made masks. Masks have became a household essential seemingly overnight and the demand for them were through the roof. I never made a mask before but i decided try. It took a while to get the exact look and aesthetic i wanted to incorporate in the design but i found way through looking at numerous YouTube videos. I got to work and before i knew it, i created 20+ masks and began to sell them. From friends to strangers, people wanted a mask from me and i was more than happy to make them because i knew i was making something that not only looks good but also will protect people and last a long time. -
2020-07-04
2020: A lifetime in a year... and we aren't even done yet...
2020 could have an entire history book unto itself. So much has happened this year... Obviously, the big stories everyone is familiar with; BLM protests, Covid19, Wildfires literally EVERYWHERE, but what about the smaller, but just as important stories that get overshadowed? For example, on Feb 6th, Christina Koch, a NASA astronaut, returned to Earth after 328 days in space, the most days completed by any woman ever, and I bet you don't even remember hearing about it. Thats why I though this time line would be a good addition to the archive. It helps put the events of the year (as of July 4th) in an easy to read format to help us all remember everything that happened this year. Hopefully, the back half of the year is much less eventful, but I doubt it. -
2020-09-01
American Values
This essay was produced as a part of the American Studies program at California High School in San Ramon, California. The essay is in response to the prompt "Is America currently living up to its core values?" This essay argues equal rights in America. It also includes references to the following modern events BLM. -
2020-09-08
Community in the United States
This essay was produced as a part of the American Studies program at California High School in San Ramon, California. The essay is in response to the prompt "Is America currently living up to its core values?" This essay argues that America is not living up to it's core values involving community. Some modern events I included was the current election and the black lives matter movement. -
2020-09-08
Justice and Equality in Today's Society
This essay was produced as a part of the American Studies program at California High School in San Ramon, California. The essay is in response to the prompt "Is America currently living up to its core values?" This essay argues that justice is a value that is being upheld but equality is still being fought for. It also includes references to the following modern events: Incarceration rates, the death of George Floyd -
2020-09-08
Core Values
My essay is telling you how America is working as a community to help stop/slow the spread of corona virus. -
2020-09-08
Failure at Equality in America Leads to the Value of Dissent
This essay was produced as a part of the American Studies program at California High School in San Ramon, California. The essay is in response to the prompt "Is America currently living up to its core values?" This essay argues America's failure at equality leads to the people using their right of protest and dissent. It also includes references to the following modern events: black lives matter movement, police brutality, gender inequality, and women's marches. -
2020-09-08
America is not living up to its core values
This essay was produced as a part of the American Studies program at California High School in San Ramon, California. The essay is in response to the prompt "Is America currently living up to its core values?" This essay argues that America is not living up to its core values and people do not get the rights that are promised when living here.It also includes references to the following modern events such as the black lives matter protests. -
2020-09-08
Justice and Equality
This essay was produced as a part of the American Studies program at California High School in San Ramon, California. The essay is in response to the prompt "Is America currently living up to its core values?" This essay argues America is not currently living up to its American values as it is shown through our legal system and African Americans lives. -
2020-09-03
american values essay
this is an essay that i wrote in high school responding to the prompt "is America currently living up to its values" I argued that we were and used the BLM movement to prove it -
2020-06-27
Minneapolis set a blaze
This is important to me because I feel like the genuine facts of the riots are looked over by Republicans and Democrats alike to sustain their respective narratives. My personal experience with this situation was first hearing the story of George Floyd and his tragic unnecessary Murder. That day I was glued to the news reading story after story. Then, right before I went to bed, I say this image above in video form and didn’t believe what I saw. People were running around in panic while others looted and set fire to buildings whether big construction sites or small businesses. Fear was induced in the people of Minneapolis as well as for me that the same thing would start occurring across the US, which it did. I also feared that fires and looting would begin to occur near my house in downtown Annapolis, but thankfully the only thing that occurred were peaceful protest which were very much so necessary. -
2020-06-02
The Mask Wars
This article discusses the mixed ideas surrounding the wearing of masks. Some people see it as a show of “scientific authority” and respect for the safety of others, but another portion of the public thinks it is a sign of weakness, submission, and cowardice. Masks in America are an extremely political point of conflict. And although the majority of people protesting against the killing of George Floyd wore masks to protect their community from transmission of the virus, the rest of the nation is still in turmoil over the issue. I have experienced my own difficulty with this as well; we have had to avoid unmasked neighbors several times, and when relatives come, we have to be the enforcers of distancing when they visit and remain outside. Mask wearing should not be politicized; it should just be something everyone wears with the safety and health of themselves and others in mind. -
2020-06-09
Oakland Artists Create Murals in Solidarity with Blacks Live Matter
Oakland residents find community and hope as they create street art across the city in the days following the death of George Floyd. Local artists and community members created murals on boarded up storefronts to express their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Store fronts were boarded up as a result of shelter-in-place orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic and as a protective measure during the protests that flooding Oakland's streets following George Floyd's murder. -
2020-05-26
Black women, the backbone of America.
During COVID we saw many protest that sparked from the senseless murder of George Floyd. One thing we found in all of the heartache was the role black women played in protest, politics, and strength. We saw many elected into government positions and we saw many taking to the streets to protest. -
2020-06-01
Democracy in Action- The Fight for Racial Justice During The Pandemic
I took this picture on June 1st, 2020, on the first day I left my house since March. The COVID-19 Pandemic was still raging outside, but I felt that it was worth the risk to fight for racial justice. Thousands took the streets after the murder of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor to demand change and an end to systemic racism. My friends and I were some of them. We rallied outside the State House, only steps away from the dorm that I will be living in two weeks from now. Surprisingly, the protests gave me a strange sense of hope for our country. Despite the risk of COVID-19, all these people still collectively decided that this was too important to miss. They were willing to risk their safety to demand justice for people they had never even met. I’ve been to protests before, but this was like no other. It showed that people truly care about each other. Because of this, I believe that the US will come out of this pandemic stronger than before. -
2020-06-12
The Bigger Picture
The image I chose represents the pandemic, as it shows the many people protesting in the back with masks on. It also represents Lil Baby’s solidarity with the current BLM movement. He’s leading a George Floyd Protest in his hometown of Atlanta on a bicycle. This image is very important to me because as a Lil Baby, as well as a huge hip-hop fan, it represents how although we have a worldwide pandemic going on, that we shouldn’t stray away from the true problems in our communities. Baby used his huge platform and fanbase to spread his feelings and stance on a very relevant issue during today’s day. Even though he had COVID to worry about, he didn’t let it stop him from participating and leading protests over an issue that he believed strongly in. -
2020-06
Political Activism in the Midst of a Pandemic
As a New York native, I have experienced all that has gone on in the city through the 2020 pandemic. In late May, the inhumane murder of George Floyd sparked nationwide protests and walkouts in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Not only were there mass protests and marches throughout New York City, but some of these protests sparked looting and the burning down of institutions at the height of the movement. Following the week in late May and early June where the civil unrest was at its peak, De Blasio imposed a citywide curfew which was quite a historical moment, as it was the first time since 1945. I chose to showcase this collection of photographs that I have taken over the summer which document the movement in NYC. All the photos were taken in and around NYC with the exception of the one of the Black Lives Matter billboard which was taken in Utah while driving out of Salt Lake City. I thought it would be interesting to share what political activism looks like in the midst of a global pandemic. -
2020-06-04
In Harm's Way: Marching for Justice
After months of isolation and spending time away from direct contact with large groups, I could not help but feel a sense of anxiety and fear of the repercussions that others and I myself may have to deal with by taking part in this march. There is no escaping the news of this pandemic. News stations, social media, coworkers, friends, and family have provided me with daily reminders about the severity of COVID-19. So why am I, along with thousands of other residents of San Diego, leaving the safety of our homes and breaking the rules of our lockdowns to combat this deadly virus? Unfortunately, we could not unsee what the police had done to George Floyd. There was no erasing those eight minutes and forty-six seconds from our memory. Witnessing this reminded us of Breonna Taylor and the lives of other Black Americans who have lost their lives from mistakes made by the police. Although we were in harm’s way, we felt like this is where we needed to be. We needed to show the world that enough was enough and taking this risk was worth sending a message. With every step, I felt my sense of fear about the COVID-19 began to subside. In its place, a sense of purpose began to take over. After nine miles of marching, I did not feel like an individual dangerously swimming through countless transmissions of the virus. I felt one with the people. -
2020-05
Tweets from Inside a Prison 5/24-5/30/2020 by Railroaded Underground
These images show the tweets of an incarcerated person who is posting them by using a contraband cell phone to show the outside world how coronavirus is effecting their community inside the prison. This week he reacts to the murder of George Floyd by the police, asks us to imagine how badly people incarcerated are treated where there are no cameras if a man can be killed on camera, that the prison population is getting some satisfaction watching the public reaction to George's murder, notes that he saw (on tv presumably) a police office pull down the mask of a black man to pepper spray him, targeting, and discrimination. -
2020-06-13
Black Lives Matter Collage on Boarded up Shop
This is a shot in Hollywood on Sunset Blvd. It was a week or so after the riots and mid the series of protests. It is an art piece about Black Lives Matter. -
2020-07-03
Understand What Privilege Means
A contrast between people protesting for a haircut and protesting for the right to live. -
2020-07-03
Political Cartoon Trump Oblivious to Current Events
This political cartoon shows Trump standing on a flag, chaos all around him. In the background we see George Floyd being murdered.