Art & Resistance

ISSUE AUGUST 2020

ART

KATRINA BARNET ANJALI JOSHI

01

According to NPR, black Americans have more than twice as high a rate of being killed by the police than for white American. This image is a list of fatal victims of police violence in the United States since Eric Garner’s death in July 2014.

Photo credit: NPR

CONTENTS PAGE 1 PARSE SECO ACT OF SOLIDARITY - JUNE 2020 BY: KATRINA BARNETT

PAGE 7 RESISTING THROUGH ART BY: ANJALI JOSHI

PAGE 01

PARSE SECO: WE STAND FOR SOCIAL CHANGE A MOVEMENT, NOT A MOMENT

BY KATRINA BARNETT We live in a dominant society. In our workplace, in our families, in our relationships, we have all-grown up under a particular structure and system that have been historically upkept by power, privilege and defined social status. And with this, we have conformed to the control of the value system and rewards that no longer serve for the greater good of society.

Racism. Sexism. Homophobia. Bigotry. Transphobia. Heterosexism. Prejudice. Are often the undesirable outcomes from this created dominant reality.

We have forgotten how to co-exist as human beings and a functional society. And, over the course of the past few weeks, we are reminded of our failure as civilians.

The repressed voices of the black community have once again become louder and stronger following the death of George Floyd, a victim amongst many of systemic racism in the United States of America. The Black Lives Movement swept the nation and the world through the multiple voices of people standing in solidarity on the unjust realities generations of black people have had to endure in their lifetimes.

Peaceful protests emerged from all over, under-rated conversations about racism and social injustice became louder, anti-racism and white-privilege education shifted learned ignorance and perspective amongst many. We are all given the chance to listen, amplify and to show up.

According to Creosotemaps, a created database from an independent GIS Analyst from New Mexico, a total of 4071 cities or towns (and still counting) around the globe have protested Black Lives Matter since May 25th, 2020. Another report released by NAACP Legal Defense, a leading United States civil rights organization and law firm based in New York City, have highlighted some of the positive social change outcomes in response to the Black Lives Matter protests from their Instagram account. In the United States alone, five states have responded in taking appropriate action to dismantle racism in their communities.

Black Lives Matter is not a political statement. It is not a stand against law enforcement. It is not to say that Black lives only matter and, disregard other lives that have also been affected of racial discrimination. We understand all lives matter. Black Lives Matter is a human rights statement. It is about highlighting the very obvious need for change about discrimination specifically, to the black community as they are in danger.

Black Lives Matter Community Mural A Tribute of Love and Hope

Social change cannot occur if we all collectively do not participate. An article published by Lumenlearning stated that collective behavior and social movements are the two driving forces for social change. One cannot occur without the other. The social change for black lives is being demanded and it is our responsibility to stand in solidarity. The community needs to heal centuries of oppression and we all must stand in solidarity to amplify these voices.

It is our responsibility as individuals to drive positive social outcomes for our future generations to avoid the historic tragedies that have once been socially accepted. There is no timeline on abolishing racial injustice however, there consistent community engagement. Filled with love and hope.

It was not until 1865, that the US Congress passed the 13th amendment in favor of abolishing slavery in the United States. Nonetheless, the lingering repercussions of centuries of oppression continued to be passed on through outdated institutions, legislations and perspectives.

The community of Taos, New Mexico stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. During the month of June, organizers of Parse Seco, a charitable organization for under-represented artists demonstrated their support in the BLM movement by creating a Community mural. The once white art gallery has been now imprinted with black bold fists from the various hands of public volunteers. A total of 250 fists are accounted for on the entrance of the gallery.

Each day, members of the community gathered around the building, awaiting their turn to have their fist commemorated in solidarity and stand against racism. No more silence. Which happens to be the fierce passage hanging above the entrance of Parse Seco in complement to the sea of black painted fists.

The idea of the mural came intrinsically to Cecilia Cuff, co-organizer of the event and co-founder of Parse Seco. “Art heals” she says. There are not enough words to describe the ongoing pain the black community have had to live with. Being a black entrepreneur herself, she understands the burning necessity of systemic change and her work is a reflection of many to stand for social change.

An opportunity to learn and grow together. A moment to embrace fear and choose for tomorrow. These fists scream, “No more!” to racism. This wall cries for the black lives that were senselessly taken everywhere in the world. This wall represents that art can heal when people come together to be stronger.” - zu_taos

For those that could not visit the gallery during the month of June, Parse Seco provided the option of having Instagram followers send a picture of their fists and tagging @parseseco. The online response was also immense.

“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed” -MLK. “Protecting and fighting Black Lives is not a trend it is essential to your humanity.” - @salmavir “Hands holding hearts. A Beautiful celebration of life, truth and human togetherness, as first were traced on the walls of the gallery in the public show of solidarity. Power to the people.” -@johnbiscello “Small town reflections on big world movement.

Art for justice.” - @A_nice_thyme

ABOUT PARSE SECO Community is amongst one of the core values, Parse Seco encompasses.

Located in New Mexico, Parse Seco, is a sanctuary for the expression and amplification of marginalized voices. A combination of non-profit, educational, government, and nongovernment agencies together with businesses and philanthropic communities in Taos, New Mexico. The organization strives to nourish and celebrate emerging minority artists while being an advocate for inclusivity and racial acceptance in the world of modern, immersive and contractive art. The experimental creative space invites artists, musicians and creators to present experiences in an intimate setting. Parse Seco is an art incubator for minority students and art enthusiasts. A space where freedom of expression is both celebrated and empowered.

A majority of the target demographics consists of youth more susceptible to abuse, bullying and gang violence while the Parse Seco organization holds as a sanctuary of education, inspiration and mentorship. Parse Seco hopes to increase societal contributions of local underrepresented artists through workshops, outreach and exposure with no charge.

Parse Seco’s mission is to increase engagement and collaboration with targeted at-risk youth through mentorship with in-field allies and increase awareness of the benefits of youth-driven art programming. The vision for Parse Seco is through engagement and alignment with healthy forms of expression, Parse Seco will be able to highlight communal progress and systems change.

Most recently, Parse Seco welcomed Karen Miranda-Rivadeneira, a EcuadorianAmerican lens-based artist, whose work focuses on memory, representation and storytelling through collaborative processes and personal narratives. Her strong interest in collaborating with native communities and relatives have created an array of art pieces that highlighted the beauty of indigenous communities in the Ecuadoran Amazon, the Andean Mountains and most recently in the American Southwest.

Original art work by Karen Miranda-Rivadeneira.

May and June 2020 at Parse Seco.

PAGE 07

RESISTING THROUGH ART: THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTEST ART IN OUR TIMES

BY ANJALI JOSHI We live in a world where conflicts thrive by “othering”. The social turmoil of the modern world like mass killings, lynchings, violence, oppression, silencing has left us exhausted and angry. The problem starts when we learn to identify by differences. We learn to categorize and assign value to what is beauty, what is work, what is good and who is human. Who is human enough to be considered as one?

The process of “othering” is how we identify a group of individuals as different from us, and potentially deviant. European colonizers used it to establish stereotypes and develop hierarchical and exploitative power relations. “Othering” makes us fear or detest someone who doesn’t look like us, who doesn’t live like us, someone whose culture is radically different from our even though the blood within maybe the same.

“Othering” is a learned behavior and art is an instinctive experience. The very complexity of creative expression take it out of the realm of Eurocentric rationality and while prejudice speaks to your mind, art speaks to instinct and senses. Art humanises what is often “Other” for us. It gives comfort, disturbs us and pushed us to not just think but feel beyond what has been taught to us.

Art and mental health in times of social turmoil Art is often said to be a means of expression. It is considered to be a way for creators to verbalise their inner trepidations. But the relationship between art and its creator is not just about cause and effect. The process matters as much as the end result. The connection between mental health and art has been established already. There are numerous studies indicating how creating art can be a healing experience.

However, my purpose here is not uncritically to glorify art because any artistic expression is a reflection of its times. At the hand of the oppressors, art has also served propaganda and reinforced reductive stereotypes. Yet, it is within this struggle lies the potential of art and activism in times of social turmoil.

In mainstream culture, the realm of politics, decision making and governance has belonged to the privileged groups. This could be the privilege in terms of their gender, race, sexuality, ability, ethnicity etc. In a political scenario, where there is no entry-point for negotiation or dialogue, artistic expression is an act of resistance and assertion. It poses a challenge to existing power relations and has the potential to change them for the better.

A culture of creativity also resists the capitalistic idea of productivity, which is ableist and negates the lived experiences of socially marginalized individuals. Art is what happens when we step forwards and accepted individuals as more than their labour capital. Art actively resists this and destroys an economy that is based on extraction and exploitation.

Why Is Protest Art Important?

The use of art as protest is not new.

Stories and songs have always been a part of the civil rights movements. The pride parade, which is a mark of visibility, selfacceptance and self-assertion, for the queer community, is a form of creative expression.

Richard Meyer, former writer and editor of the Los Angeles Times, has speculated, “Queer culture provides is a beautiful archive that we can remake for the needs of our own moment...Homosexuality or queerness is a lot more than a matter of sex. It’s art, writing, music, and theatre that has been produced by a perspective of difference.”

Protest art is about non-conformity. It is a step outside of our comfort zone. It not only connotes self-acceptance but also entails a celebration of selfdetermination.Art resists conformity and creates openings and avenues we may not have been able to see previously. We create to keep our stories alive and help people hear us. How else does one get a message around? How many of us actually read and share policy papers or case studies!?

Yet, we respond to art because it moves us. Art is crucial for social transmission during any movement. Our world is fleeting, social media has short-term memory and we forget too often. Art stays and art transmits. Art gives access to everyone to speak up, amplify voices and make a difference.

Nightlight: Tete and Sara, Our Guiding Stars In This struggle Protest art also originates from pain, discomfort and oppression after long periods of deliberate silencing. Art also helps us grieve in ways language cannot.

This piece of writing is also inspired by the grief and rage for having lost so many precious lives to systemic discrimination.

Tete Gulley and Sara Hegazy are two people whose deaths shook me to the core but yet their courage and kindness lead us every step of the way.

Tete, a 31 years old back transgender woman, was found dead in a park in May 2019. While the death was initially ruled to be suicide, further investigation indicates otherwise. One year later, it’s revealed that it could have been a murder. Black trans femmes live at the intersection of various marginalities that makes them vulnerable and susceptible to violence. Even if it had been suicide, where does one draw the line between institutional murder and suicide?

Sara Hegazy, our partner in the struggle miles away in Egypt also lost her to life institutional discrimination. She made history by raising the pride flag at a concert in Egypt in October 2017.

Having been jailed for 3 months, Sara was living in Canada, where she was granted asylum, where she was also diagnosed with PTSD, as a result of her traumatic arrest and time in prison.

As we make art and speak up in a rage, Tete and Sara are here with us, guiding us, keeping the movement alive, even in their deaths. We will not forget.

Difficult times lead us to respond to the situations creatively and use art to inspire civic action.

Given the backdrop, protest art is a long-run, non-violent way of making a lasting change. In times of turmoil, developing a culture of creativity is essential, to help get the message through and sometimes to be reminded of our raw humanity beyond ideals of self and “Other”. Racial justice is inadvertently tied with gender justice, queer justice and others. True freedom is only when we are all free and have the safety of expressing and asserting ourselves without backlash. Hence, we need more spaces that boast public art. We need more voices that have been unheard so far. We need solidarity. We need love. We need rage.It’s a reset and we are ready!

WANT TO JOIN PARSE SECO IN THE BLM MOVEMENT? READ ON TO CARRY ON. Parse Seco invites you to join in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. Our black community needs us now, more than ever.

For additional support, Parse Seco welcomes you to actively participate in local and national elections. It is crucial to vote in every election to make sure the right representation and leadership continue our community efforts.

Additionally, supporting black owned businesses and always being conscious of who your money goes to is detrimental. #shoplocal To stay tuned, please follow Parse Seco on Instagram (@Parseseco), Facebook (Parse Seco), Twitter (@parseseconm) and visit their website at www.parseseco.com.

Special Appreciation On behalf of Parse Seco, we would like to recognize and honor all the beautiful people that make this world a better place. Without you, social change could not happen.

To the outpouring support of our community of Taos, and to all others that stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. To name a few, thank you John Biscello, Tim Lujan, Salma Josephine Vir, Mateos Cuff, Anais Rumfelt, Sarah Parker and Laurel Taylor. You are appreciated and valued.

To our amazing organizers, Cecilia Cuff, Joel Meinholz and local artist, Izumi Yokoyama. To our community representatives. Darien Fernandez, local elected official who attended and participated. Eli Wood, social justice law student from Chicago. Artist and brother of police officer, Claudio Toulouse from ABQ. Taos Pueblo artist, Midnite Lujan. Marshall Deerfield, poet and Poets for Peace activist from Philadelphia. Kaya Martin, youth leader and student from Miami. Devin Reynolds, artist and activist from New Orleans.

An abundance amount of love, hope and strength to all black members in our communities.

And, especially to the family and friends to the fatal victims of racial injustice. We say your name.

We see you. We hear you. We stand with you.