“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 police. The title is a play on words that uses math fractions and equations to break down the infractions perpetrated by 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 and it’s 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 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 Hip Hop music tracks by B-Mor7 & other local artists.
The first piece “The Human Equation” logo, demonstrates (in mathematical terms) that difference exists and we are all different. Yet our differences equal one and we are all part of one race, the human race; for infinity.
This flier/logo, designed by The Avenue Concept for the gallery exhibit (2015) symbolizes the transition African descendants in America have undergone; from the horrific chains of slavery to the shackles of the prison industrial complex. In addition to this segue by way of the 13th amendment, so many oppressed people are not even making it to jail because their lives are being stolen in cold blood on the streets of America. Not just by fellow citizens or hate mongers, but by those who are paid by us to serve and protect, law enforcement. Many of these victims are innocent children and even those who are outcast and stereotyped by the label criminal, felon or mentally ill, do not deserve to be shot down or suffocated like rabid animals.
Ida B. Wells
A 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 modern day continuation of her work that hopes to encompass the souls of the victims of high tech lynchings in our current times. For more info click the links below.
https://www.amazon.com/Red-Record-Lynching-United-States/dp/1481015362
http://eji.org/racial-justice/legacy-lynching
http://eji.org/reports/lynching-in-america
http://www.latina.com/lifestyle/our-issues/police-officers-asked-target-blacks-latinos-lgbtq
“I wish I could put my arms around my people and fly away.” Ida B. Wells.
“I fear 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). Almost all of them were gunned down by law enforcement.
Images from the gallery and the events held there to express emotions and reactions to these unconscionable deaths.
#BLACKLIVESMATTER
Exhibit sponsored by
The RI Commission on Prejudice & Bias
B-Mor7 