08/06/2020
__— R I O T —__
reflecting on so many riots these days, people in the streets demanding to be heard.
RIOT TO BE HEARD.
BLACK LIVES MATTER always have, always will. this time reflects the 60s, how come folx have to keep reliving the trauma? making communities relive it?
working with was like playing with fire, that mind of her’s knows that people have power—ARE the power.
And now—Lebanon for the past year riots against a corrupt government & the youth have been begging for a better future so they don’t have to leave their country—like the civil war that left my family with no other choice but to leave. people don’t want to relive the same history.
we have brutality from Police who are not serving to PROTECT but PUNISH Americans. to punish Lebanese with politicians stealing from civilians pockets, trying to keep voices quiet. & how many other countries have we watched the same? it is not new behavior from racist systems of oppression. on top of this virus, a worldwide pandemic, an explosion in Lebanon, where now there is a lack of food for an already broken economy.
our economy was already broken too, unemployment is too high & the fact that what is being paid is a higher rate than many people’s regular work is abominable.
the world is anxious, the sirens, fireworks, gas, unmarked vans pulling folx in without cause in major cities... to provoke FEAR & ANXIETY.
it has been one moment after another & it’s hard to breathe. I reflect on working on this project with Nadya & .mack8 directing movement, feeling inspired to be surrounded by artists who want to say more with their work, a whole crew of people who are thinking of how they can affect change, even an ounce where it matters. .fannan wild energy on drums, the talented & kind on guitar, thank you & for your community organizing.
hit up the last post for a clip of the video with full credits for the whole fantastic crew.
it has been a hard year, but no one can afford to stop now.
@ Los Angeles, California