DO SOMETHING OUTSTANDING.
"Left Right Left Right" - Annette Lemieux | photograph of artist installation on display at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Photograph provided by Ana Bento. November 20th 2016.
It is easy to lose motivation or belief in oneself, a cause, in being supported, or in any change happening when we are constantly facing distress. When our voices and cries go unheard time and time again, we lose faith in the possibility of change or progress and it can feel completely isolating and lonely. Until we begin to hear our voices echo. Those echoes then slowly begin to fade and are replaced by a voice that draws closer - sort of in an unseeable but audible distance. As it continues approaching, it gets louder and louder, multiplying until it reaches an erupting climax. That’s when and where you realize that you are not alone.
"Our opportunity to consciously change the world together has arrived. It doesn’t matter how small you feel your voice, contribution, platform, or effect may be – because collectively these actions and demands will add to the grander scheme, and fabric of the fight we’re here for."
We’ve reached the point where everyone (who isn’t a part of the longstanding problems) has started shouting for change! Tensions are high. Our opportunity to consciously change the world together has arrived. It doesn’t matter how small you feel your voice, contribution, platform, or effect may be – because collectively these actions and demands will add to the grander scheme, and fabric of the fight we’re here for. We are working for a change that will span over many years to come and our journey to arrive at a better world is just as important as the moment in which we actually see the results of all the hard work put forth. It will require continuous learning and unlearning, staying updated, championing the causes and raising them to the levels that will initiate the changes. I think we've all caught on to the importance of supporting one another and leveraging each other by now. This digital age can be daunting with all the misinformation and distractions coming at us - but it's a blessing as well when we flip it around and use it as our tool to filter out misleading facts and educate one another instead. "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world", this is a Nelson Mandela quote I've always loved. Education comes in many forms and a process that spans a lifetime. With everything happening locally and globally we've been observing just how connected we all are in our struggles as well as in our strengths, and how powerful one voice becomes when it is amplified by millions worldwide.
CHANGE REQUIRES DEDICATION AND HARD WORK.
Socioeconomic disparities, the reality of racism, and lack of transparency have always existed - whether we were attuned to their existence or not is a whole other discussion and lengthy one about privilege, at that, which I'm sure I'll write on sooner than later. None of this is news and it shouldn't be surprising either that civil upheaval and protests have been covering cities worldwide in support of #blacklivesmatter , #BIPOC , #indigenouslivesmatter , #LGBTQ , and #environmental rights. We've been seeing an escalation in protests centred around human rights over the last few years but it's gotten to the point where enough is enough. Racism and discrimination are battles that have been fought for longer than conceivable. It's almost insane to think that in the year 2020 we are still fighting systemic oppression. What's even more ridiculous is that the existence of systemic oppression is still being challenged and ignored. How can we (and I use this "we" extremely lightly and figuratively, because I do not speak on behalf of anyone who oppresses or represses vulnerable individuals or groups) be so progressive technologically and economically yet seem to be digressing in regards to the basic principles in human and environmental rights?? This is the thought process that's launched many of us into outrage and sparked us to get serious about taking action. This is where we're at. There are many opinions on how to tackle the obstacles, and dismantle systems of oppression. What there is no opinion on or zero tolerance for is the ignorance of these very blatant realities. Remaining silent is complacency, and when it comes to the dignity of human lives - staying silent is the same as being the adversary. Activism takes on many forms and can be carried out in different ways be it in the most subtle ways or with a more radical approach. What's important is that we all do our part together in whatever way we can to end discrimination based in racism and sexism. Step 1: decide that you are here for this fight. Step 2: staying informed and sharing information creates awareness and keeps you in check with yourself. I don't have all the answers and am not an expert but I will always try my best to shed light as I learn and grow into being the best ally I can be. My lens is always focused on creating art and shedding light through it. I truly want to see a better world for us and every generation to follow.
The feature image of this editorial is to date one of my favourite art installations. I've written very lightly about it in a past instagram caption - but this is an image I refer back to constantly and its also on my desktop as a daily reminder. "When I first saw it, it was turned upside down in response to the political/social climate in the US as requested by the artist. It was powerful then and even more so NOW. However, for the purpose of our future and the generations of [people] to come...I reversed it in my post", I originally wrote in an #internationalwomensday post back in 2019. "Reversing it speaks to CHANGING and TAKING our narrative back - because ultimately we are all responsible for one another and there is no distinction between any act big or small. Every word spoken and truth told counts." I may have been naive to think that we were at the top of the mountain back in 2019 but it turns out that we were still at the base of the journey towards real social progress. So I share this with you today to shed more light on how it is still relevant if not more so today. I share it with you to highlight the understanding of how these cycles keep repeating throughout time. I share it again with you today so that you may start understanding the importance of community and togetherness as the only solution to rectifying the problems that have been woven into the story of humanity, versus instigating hate and conflict further. I encourage you to read this New York Times article, "New York Museums Signal Their Resistance to Trump", Andrea K. Scott .
"Lineup" - Gary Simmons | photograph of artist installation on display at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Photograph provided by Ana Bento. November 20th 2016.
I have been learning and growing along the way by looking upon the voices of truth and real leadership my views align with through these times. To keep it really real with you I have been trying to write this piece since the week of August 24th - the same week the NBA protested Jacob Blake's shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin by cancelling their games. I have to applaud my home team's leadership in this initiative - the Toronto Raptors, along with the Boston Celtics were the first teams to come to a hard stop and seriously bring these issues to the table of a powerful and influential sports organization. Commissioner of the NBA, Adam Silver's leadership and championing of social change has been an outstanding model for the future. Other teams and leagues followed suit in solidarity with Black Lives Matter as well. Conversations around the social injustices we've been standing witness to are extremely difficult to have and there is so much to learn around them - from how to approach them, to respecting the spaces and people they affect, to learning when to take a step back and amplify the voices that should to be at the forefront of the topics. There are many leaders that occupy many spaces and platforms to further guide us in expanding our knowledge base. We're in the midst of the most important time humanity's expansion. Although I don't have all the answers, I do know for certain that we will not progress and move forward with outdated states of mind. The work is long and tiresome and hardly rewarded but together we will get through it. I look forward to sharing more on these themes, and how to cope with and maintain mental wellness as we go through the changes.
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” Albert Einstein.
Although I am missing a lot of great articles I've come across, I've provided a list below of links to local and global agencies for change that stuck with me for further reading:
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