Blood is on Our Hands
Blood is on Our Hands
Performance piece, July 3rd, downtown Fort Myers at the Robert E. Lee statue.
Artist statement:
This is a performance art piece that arose from the grief of yet another racially motivated act of violence against black people. We have fallen into a pattern of violence, mourning, acceptance, apathy, until another act of racially motivated violence occurs and the cycle repeats.
We recognize that we are a part of this cycle. Their blood is on our hands. Our collective silence in matters involving race is leaving the doors open for hate and violence to walk through. Every time we excuse, deny, ignore, cover up, or hide from the fact that white supremacy is alive and well, we are complicit in the taking of black lives.
We are taking responsibility for our parts in the cycle of racism that we have all become accustomed to. We are walking in our grief, guilt, shame, and discomfort in an attempt to awaken this reality in other non-black people. Racism simply could not exist without us.
When we remain silent, we send the message that racism is acceptable and that black lives don't matter. When we stay silent, the blood is on our hands.
Rachel, Leila, Kirsten, Julian, Aeriel, Sam, Christine, Courtney, Margie, Joy, Ann, & Anastasia
***Photo credit goes to Kirsten Pettifor
***Leila Mesdaghi contributed the video that was projected onto the monument during the performance. It was taken at Bunche Beach, named for Ralph Johnson Bunche, the first African American man to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. During the days of segregation, this was the designated beach for black people in Lee county.
Artist statement:
This is a performance art piece that arose from the grief of yet another racially motivated act of violence against black people. We have fallen into a pattern of violence, mourning, acceptance, apathy, until another act of racially motivated violence occurs and the cycle repeats.
We recognize that we are a part of this cycle. Their blood is on our hands. Our collective silence in matters involving race is leaving the doors open for hate and violence to walk through. Every time we excuse, deny, ignore, cover up, or hide from the fact that white supremacy is alive and well, we are complicit in the taking of black lives.
We are taking responsibility for our parts in the cycle of racism that we have all become accustomed to. We are walking in our grief, guilt, shame, and discomfort in an attempt to awaken this reality in other non-black people. Racism simply could not exist without us.
When we remain silent, we send the message that racism is acceptable and that black lives don't matter. When we stay silent, the blood is on our hands.
Rachel, Leila, Kirsten, Julian, Aeriel, Sam, Christine, Courtney, Margie, Joy, Ann, & Anastasia
***Photo credit goes to Kirsten Pettifor
***Leila Mesdaghi contributed the video that was projected onto the monument during the performance. It was taken at Bunche Beach, named for Ralph Johnson Bunche, the first African American man to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. During the days of segregation, this was the designated beach for black people in Lee county.