Is Rage Really Funny

I watched Dave Chappelle this morning and I thought there is something in today’s circumstances that deeply affects us all. Chappelle did a short comedy show titled, 8:46 to speak to recent events of the death of George Floyd and the riots. The numbers signify the amount of time police officer Derek Chauvin had his knee on the neck of George Floyd.

The comedian spoke through his pain and anger which was hardly funny but very true. It gave us a moment of new normal.

Chappelle pointed out that not everyone will respond to recent events the same way or at the same time. We have to give people space to process what is happening around us. We need to see the consequences of our neglect.

This art reflects the state of rage we are in. It is something that consumes us. How it is dealt with will determine if it is squelched or inflamed.

Art of the Month

In celebration of African American freedom, we have to remember it was not an easy battle. In light of the protests this month that were centered around the brutal killing of George Floyd by police, this piece is called Protests.

A protester has been peppersprayed.

They Gave It Power

This is a reminder that during the month of June we will examine African American Art. This figure is referred to as Nkisi Nkondi. It was believed to be a spiritual image with empowered medicinal and magical ingredients. Nails were one of the first commodities Africans began to make trades with Europeans.

Welcome to JuneTeenth Month

In June, I will celebrate with photos of art that allow us to reflect on our history.

This is a Boli Fetish Figure from the Bamana people of Mali in West Africa. It is referred to as a fetish because it possessed a magical power representing a spirit that controlled some aspect of their life. It would get rid of disease or punish someone doing wrong in the community.

It was created of animal bones, feathers, vegetable matter, metal, mirror, and other organic matter.