Gallery
“The Human Equation: Unarmed inFraction: (Fraction from the Latin fractus meaning broken and infraction as a violation or infringement of the law) is a multi-media examination of hate crime in America with a focus on lynching and extra judicial killings by individuals and law enforcement. The title is a play on words that uses math fractions and equations to break down the infractions perpetrated by racist vigilantes on a continuum from slavery to mass incarceration.
As the Black Lives Matter movement continues to grow out of an ongoing necessity for justice, this work in progress series recognizes and commemorates the victims as a vehicle of mourning, and a tool to educate the larger community about the known and unknown voiceless lives taken too soon due to white supremacy, oppression and overarching systemic inequalities.
In February & March of 2015, The Avenue Concept hosted an installation of this exhibit featuring a social justice rap contest, a spoken word event and a day specifically for law enforcement to observe. Select pieces have also been displayed at various protests, DARE (Direct Action for Rights & Equality), The MET Black Box Theatre, Everett Co. Stage & School, Roger Williams University, & The University of RI Feinstein Gallery. Below you can view the full exhibit accompanied by related Hip Hop music tracks by B-Mor7 & other local artists.
The first piece “The Human Equation” logo, demonstrates the fact that differences exist; we are ALL different. Yet our differences equal ONE. We are part of one race, the human race; for infinity.
The logo design for the flier (courtesy of The Avenue Concept) symbolizes the transition too many African descendants in the New World have undergone. From the horrific middle passage and chains of enslavement to the shackles of the prison industrial complex. In addition to this segue by way of the 13th amendment loophole (slavery shall not exist, except as a punishment for a crime), too many marginalized and oppressed people, when approached by law enforcement, are not even landing in the system because their lives are being stolen in cold blood on the streets, in their cars, or even in the comfort of their own homes. Sometimes by fellow citizens or hate mongers. Other times by those who are paid by us to serve and protect. Many of these victims are innocent children and even those who are outcast and stereotyped by the larger society due to their criminal record, mental illness, homelessness or addiction, do not deserve to be shot down or suffocated like rabid animals.
Ida B. Wells, Civil Rights Leader: Journalist, Sociologist & Educator
The RED RECORD II: IN MEMORIAM
Between 1877 and 1950, the Equal Justice Initiative has documented 4075 lynchings in the American South. At the time, lynching was documented by Ida B. Wells, a journalist who led an anti-lynching crusade in the 1890’s. She shared her findings in a book entitled “The Red Record”. The art and music you see here is a continuation of her work that hopes to encompass the souls of the victims of modern day lynchings. For more info click the links below.
http://eji.org/racial-justice/legacy-lynching
http://eji.org/reports/lynching-in-america
After learning about what happened to Trayvon and how the Black Lives Matter Movement was sparked after Zimmerman was not charged; my students and I wrote this song.
“I wish I could put my arms around my people and fly away.” Ida B. Wells
“I feel I may have integrated my people into a burning house.” Martin Luther King Jr.
Please take a moment of silence and some time to process. As you can see, many of these victims are children. Many of them have children. All of them are innocent. All of them are unarmed (except a few who were playing with toy guns or had a knife). Most of them were gunned down by law enforcement. No questions asked. No trial. No innocent until proven guilty.
Below are photos from the 2020 Protests during the Covid-19 Global Pandemic. 10,000 people came out to protest in Providence alone. There were protests all around the world including Barrington, RI (an all white town) after the lynching of George Floyd in Minnesota; filmed by the brave teenager Darnella Frazier.
B-Mor7 