These Are the Breaks

“Black Intimacy” - October 3–16, 2017, Museum of Modern Art Exhibition

it’s too late you’re hypnotized

she’s got dorothy dandridge eyes

Photographer Steve Mann shows us the pagentry of the Mardi Gras Indians.

The story starts with Black enslaved people developing relationships with local tribes (who were called American Indians and still legally call themselves American Indian, before white folks start demanding we get on the euphemism treadmill...) and it keeps going as these groups share and synthesize traditions and art and culture as they survive settler colonialism. Nowadays, the Black Masking Indians spend all year, every year, handsewing their elaborate regalia, as well as supporting and protecting their communities. You want practical examples of non-carceral justice and community justice? It's here, already, on this Earth - you just need to be willing to look to Black leadership to see it.

I could keep yapping or I could share some interviews so you could hear from elders directly. LISTEN TO YOUR ELDERS.