5 Things Friday
Poetry as protest, a film on Black fatherhood, and music made to resist mass incarceration. Here are your antiracism actions steps for July 7.
Parents, teachers, and education advocates rally at Parker K-8 on the last day of the semester on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, via Oaklandside. Credit: Amir Aziz
This week we are talking about art. Because at the moment, it's one of the few pursuits that makes any sense to me. The fact that we as humans will never stop writing or filming or painting or singing in response to all that is around us and inside of us is something to cling to. And like most of you...we are clinging, desperately.
Here are your 5 Things.
WATCH THIS. On Father's Day and Juneteenth, Dads Evoking Change and Represent Collaborative released the powerful new film, Reframing The Role of Black Fatherhood. The incredibly moving 12-minute film features intimate, emotional interviews with three fathers and raises awareness about the challenges Black and brown fathers face navigating the family court system—and the strength and dedication they show fighting them for the sake of their kids. It was filmed in Oakland by a Black-led film team. You can watch it right here.
READ THIS. Dr. Akilah Cadet has spent her life fighting for the rights of others. On the night Roe was overturned, she was writing. Read her poignant thoughts right here.
GO TO THIS. "At times it is necessary to turn away from the pain and heartache of the present moment, events bigger than ourselves, and remember this simple fact. Remember to let some of it go and to seek comfort and wonder, to get lost in our daydreams, our fantasies, and our sweet indulgences." Those are the words of Berkeley Art Center curator Elena Gross, about the juried show now on exhibit at the center. We are extra excited because photographer Bréana Parks has images in this show —the very images many of you helped make possible with your support last year. The show is on view through August 6.
GO TO THIS. Activists and parents have occupied an East Oakland elementary school for over a month, staging the longest occupation of a public building in 50 years to demand the end to racist school closures and OUSD's attack on youth of color. Tonight at 5:30 pm San Francisco poet Tongo Eisen-Martin will host Freedom Fridays: Poetry Night at the school, Parker Community School, at 7929 Ney Avenue in Oakland.
GO TO THIS. Oakland vocalist, pianist and composer Samora Pinderhughes interviewed roughly 100 people of color who had experienced “structural violence” and created the Healing Project, a three-part interdisciplinary work. This constellation of creative works explores the daily realities of violence, incarceration, detention, and policing in communities across the United States and highlights healing and care strategies that emerge from these same communities. You can experience The Healing Project at YBCA through September 4. Read this recent profile of Pinderhughes and we promise, you'll want to see and know everything about this project.