Tabula Rasa

Tango Negro:The African Roots of Tango (2013)

Showing at Thalia Theater 3/14

Queer Icons, a breathtaking multimedia photography project by Mexican-American artist Gabriel García Román, shines a light on queer people of color. It re-frames the subjects into idols, with a halo in every piece.

“My images are visually giving power to a group of people that are generally disempowered. I want young people to see these images and see them as an example of someone powerful and noble that they can become,” Román told Fusion in an interview.

1. Wake up to this yelling over dirty dishes ft. Momma

2. Say it again. I dare you ft. Mom

3. I said it again ft. Belt and friends

4. Say grace cause you the youngest

5. Sent to the store with only 2 dollars

6. Parent teacher night (interlude)

7. Go ask your daddy

8. Saturday morning vacuuming at 9am while you sleep

Over 3000 people rallied and marched in Brisbane city on Saturday 2nd of May to protest the forced closures of Aboriginal communities in Australia and the ongoing disposession, abuse and genocide that the First Nations people are subjected to.

The protest began with a rally in King George Square at 1pm. As always, those who got up to speak were incredibly inspiring and strong. Then the protest moved to the streets with a march around Brisbane CBD, stopping at each intersection to celebrate the worlds longest continuing cultures with music and dance. #cultureeverywhere

The march moved through Queen Street Mall and back to King George Square where a group of about 100-200 dedicated activists, including children, stormed into and occupied Brisbane City Hall. The police blocked the doors so no more protesters could come in, and told the protestors that they had the authority to forcibly remove them from the property (though they would prefer not to). The police emphasised the need for peace, that they didn’t want any damage or violence. This was almost laughable to the protestors, who were entirely dedicated to peace and are in fact protesting the ongoing violence committed against them since the beginning of Colonial Australia.

The police attempted to find and address a leader of the group, but the group asserted that there was no leader, we are in this together, and yes of course we are (and will be) peaceful. 

Eventually, the protesters started to chant “WE WANT THE MEDIA”, in a bid to get their true words, intentions and experiences across. It was negotiated with the police that there would be some media let in if the protesters would leave after the interviews.

The majority of the protesters left peacefully after the interviews, while some stayed behind to continue making a stand while they waited to see if the media would report any of their story, hopefully in a positive light. The coverage from the media was poor, with 10 second clips being shown here and there, and a few write ups that weren’t entirely racist and misunderstanding.