5 ThIngs Friday
Alvin Ailey On Screen, A Must-Have Book, and 10 Years Since Trayvon. Here are your antiracism action steps for February 4.
Deborah Roberts, One of Many (2022), mixed-media collage on paper, 22-by-15 inches. Art: Deborah Roberts for New York Magazine. Courtesy of Deborah Roberts, Stephen Friedman Gallery London and Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles. Photograph of artwork: Paul Bardagjy.
Happy Lunar New Year! Happy Black History Month! To be honest, I used to be a little grumpy about designated "months" — what's up with cramming all the learning and appreciation into 28 measly days? BUT....I gotta say, something about this Black History Month feels different (says the white lady). The news being shared feels broader — instead of a rehashing of the same old items from way back, people are digging deeper into lesser known figures and events, as well as celebrating thriving Black presents and Black futures. And while there is certainly A LOT more work to be done on diversifying voices (and leadership) in media, some significant changes were made in the last couple years and it's showing in the coverage. In 2021, Lindsay Peoples Wagner landed the top spot (EIC) at NYMag's The Cut and this month's special issue, led by Peoples Wagner and titled "Ten Years Since Trayvon" is a stunning, expansive look at the first ten years of Black Lives Matter.
Also, it's my favorite month to put together this email because there is so. damn. much.
Here are your 5 Things!
SIGN UP FOR THIS. 28 Days of Black History is one of our very favorite email newsletters—every day for the month of February you're sent a fascinating, in-depth cultural artifact – book, movie, artwork, song, personal history, etc – that represents the impact of Black people and culture in U.S. history. (Yesterday's was the story story a Henry Box Brown, who escaped slavery by mailing himself to freedom in a 3-foot-long box, and eventually became a sucessful magician). This series centers on stories of Black marginalized voices that are often overlooked in Black history narratives, and is curated by Camille Bethune-Brown and Shanaé Burch of Anti-Racism Daily. Sign up right here (it's free!) then strongly consider donating $28 (that's just $1 for each email you'll receive this month) on their website, PayPal or Venmo (@nicoleacardoza).
BUY THIS. According to Tré Seals (one of our very favorites and designer of the Represent Collaborative logo font) "We see Black as a palette, a mixture of every color and every form of light. This is our true definition of Black, and this is why we Dream in Color." Seals is the author, curator, designer and editor of the forthcoming Dream in Color. a large-format book featuring 30 removable posters by 30 inspiring Black creatives from around the world. Artists and designers such as the London-based muralist Lakwena and hip-hop legend Cey Adams, among others, are included in this inspiring book of ready-to-frame artwork. Each poster is aesthetically unique; the selection ranges from illustrations to collages, to typography featuring phrases expressing positivity, hope, and strength, all through the lenses of internationally acclaimed and emerging Black creatives working today. Pre order your copy today!
KNOW THIS. While there has been some progress, don't let it distract you from the pushback...and the same old shit. Lauren Smith-Fields, a 23 year college student, business woman and fitness buff was found dead after a Bumble date. But the police in Bridgeport have basically phoned in the investigation. all the while treating her grieving family with blatant disrespect.The family had not even been told by police about their daughter’s death, but learned about it by calling a number on a note on Smith-Fields’ door that had been left by her landlord. Bridgeport officers are also being investigated for their handling of the case of Brenda Lee Rawls, another Black woman, age 53, who was found dead and alone in her home on Dec. 12, like Smith-Fields. Rawls’ family says that they had not been told by police about her death, and have been ignored and mistreated. Read about, think about it, talk about.
WATCH THIS. Whether you already know and love Alvin Ailey or you have never had the distinct pleasure of experiencing any of his now iconic performances, this film will floor you. Discover the legendary choreographer Alvin Ailey, whose dances center on the Black American experience with grace, strength and beauty. The new American Masters documentary on PBS features previously unheard audio interviews with Ailey, interviews with those close to him and an intimate glimpse into the Ailey studios today.
READ THIS. We could lnk individually to almost every story in the special NY Mag issue: 10 Years Since Trayvon, The story of the first decade of Black Lives Matter —it's all that good. But instead we will just invite you to click through on your own and leave you with this quote from Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon's mother, that stopped us in our tracks: “What makes me angry is the fact that you have so many people that want to do something, but they don’t. You got so many people who comment and who post and who are talking heads on the news, and what are they doing? Nothing.” Fulton’s eyebrows arch inward, and she raises her pitch and pace. “You have to be active. You have to participate. You have to get involved. Those are the types of things that make me angry. You can’t just share a story on social media and figure, Okay, I did my part, you know?”