Sunday, June 7, 2020

Represent

That striking looking protester is my nephew, marching in Washington, D.C. A musician and an artist, he took that American flag and painted the letters BLM for "Black Lives Matter" across it. He also added some red paint to represent the blood of his ancestors that has been spilled for generations, leading us straight to the present moment. My nephew is the child of a Black mother of Jamaican extraction and a Native American father of the Assiniboine Sioux tribe in Montana, and so when he speaks of his ancestors in a social justice context, he's speaking of a dual heritage of spilled blood. I'm so proud of him for being out there, representing. This photo appeared on the social media site @dcist, which has been covering the protests.



8 comments:

  1. EXCELLENT! Just watched 13th- I am late to the party, as it is already four years old, not that I did not know most of the events and circumstances and staggering statistics but 13th lays it all out in big spoonfulls- Or is that spoons full. A must see, a must know history of this slave culture we live in. Before the Orange thing, and before cell phone videos, most had not been aware of how strong that culture is in every single ave. of life in the USA. I am so grateful for these demonstrations and recognition of such blatant injustice...forever in this land. well, at least since white man arrived, there has been nothing but turmoil and despair. I hope the demonstrations last a long time with the same vigor and creativity- out little town had 5,000 show up yesterday- larpers with their big guns were told to go home...back to the basements in their mommie's homes where they incel...Anyway, so proud of your nephew! Thank you, sir!!!

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  2. Your nephew brings honor to what has been dishonored for so long. I've been looking at his photo for a long time this afternoon, absorbing the power of what can be conveyed without words.

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  3. Another great example from your wonderful family...May he be safe.

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  4. The Nephew representing the dual heritage that has endured Generations of Racism and discrimination is something to be fiercely proud of. The indigenous of this Country have endured constant abuses, which is why most of my Dad's Family remained on the Rez, it was safer for them there, even tho' abject poverty is still prominent on the Reservations. I'm glad the Young People are demanding Change and showing such solidarity during the Protests. They have ignited the Passion not just here in America, but Worldwide.

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  5. The power and strength represented in that picture are staggering.

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  6. My heartfelt gratitude to your nephew for marching, taking a stand, and holding that flag. This is the moment.

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  7. He's beautiful. May he stay safe and well.

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  8. Power and beauty incarnate. Thank you for sharing!

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