America was cursed with racism that started with slavery and has continued with the murder of George Floyd and so many others.
Still cursed with racism, America must learn to rise above the horror of nefarious politicians, short on humanity, abusively masquerading as leaders using racism to turn people against each other for the sole purpose of their own advancement. This, a tragedy a gullible America brought on itself.
Here in Wilson, the Prophets Project happening in my studio was born of a tearful return home after seeing Bryan Stevenson's National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, which led me to construct a symbolic lynching wall set. Several dozen ropes hang from way up, referencing our racist past.
In front of the ropes, though, are the black leaders that are showing the way to transcend the past. Diverse subjects from many professions, art forms, and backgrounds. Some are famous, and others are equally important for their character and magnificent humanity within family or local community.
My joy is to meet these subjects, learn the individuality of their humanity that has grown way beyond the heritage of slavery and lynching, and work as their partner in presenting why their black lives really do matter so much to a better world!