DEFEND BLACK BODIES

Potent minimalist art sends a strong message about police and vigilante brutality in America

Journalist and artist Shirin Barghi has created a gripping, thought-provoking series of graphics that not only examines racial prejudice in today’s America, but also captures the sense of humanity that often gets lost in news coverage. Titled “Last Words,” the graphics illustrate the last recorded words by Brown and other young black people — Trayvon Martin, Oscar Grant and others — who have been killed by police in recent years.

Artivism: Art and Political Response for Social Justice Against Racism

Young activists have taken to the streets and social media in protest. Hundreds have marched across America to demand justice for Michael Brown, a 19 year old unarmed black teen who was gunned down by a white police officer, and thousands have retweeted hashtags like #BringBackOurGirls, #DontShoot and #FreePalestine to draw attention to incidents of injustice. Although the public elects politicians, many times their outcries are not heard or addressed by their governors or congressmen but by artists, musicians, and authors.

There are many examples of contemporary black artists who are actively examining and critiquing our perception of the world through visual expression and revolutionary imagery. By referencing critical moments in history their work explores both the human condition and the process of human conditioning.

Top: Michael D’Antuono. “A tale of two hoodies”, oil on canvas, 30″ x 40″.  Middle: Hank Willis Thomas, “I AM A MAN”, (2009) Bottom: Faith Ringgold, “The United States of Attica, 1971-1972”

Read more and see more artworks

the-bnn:

Frank Serpico, ex-NYPD cop who survived being shot in the face by fellow cops and left for dead in 1971 after blowing the whistle on NYPD corruption 

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/serpico-wedge-driven-police-society-article-1.2034651