Racial justice protests around the United States have caused major changes in cities. Shops are boarded up, concurrent looting has been reported, in Boston we’ve also been having a fireworks epidemic (I’m not sure if that’s related). All of these things are minor issues in comparison with the racial inequity being fought for. And even more importantly, the protests are working. Police funding is being analyzed and cut, officers known for using brutality are being arrested, laws are changing. It’s inspiring to see that change being made.
And from these temporary measures in our city, from the boarded up shop windows and armed officers roaming around, art is also being born. On a stroll around the city the other day I noticed artists and community members have been using these formerly scary symbols of chaos as canvases for artworks. That felt to me like a perfect representation of this movement. It’s scary and painful and challenging, but progress blooms up in the end.
Have you noticed protest related art popping up in your area?