Plague Journal, Art And Protest

October 6, 2020 Jerry King Comments 0 Comment

Another mild fall day. The pleasant weather betrays the darkness that roils our society. Conditions present a surface quiescence, especially in towns such as mine, majority white, affluent, well ordered by the system. My neighbors appear to be comfortable enough in their homes, most of us are able to work from home, and our children continue their education by virtual e-learning. My instinct says this is not a true picture of our condition as the last few months of day to day news reportage has revealed.

Today Tuesday, The Morning report from the New York Times disclosed the presidents return to the White House after a few days of treatment for covid-19 at Walter Reed hospital. “Don’t be afraid of Covid,” President Trump tweeted as the White House outbreak spreads further. He urged Americans not to let the virus “dominate” them. The White House decided against contact tracing for the guests and staff that attended the Sept 26 Rose Garden event. The virus has taken 210,000 lives according to official death count.

Another lightning flash indicating the magnitude of the storm that is breaking: Justice Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito Jr. suggested that the Supreme Court reconsider the 2015 case that legalized same-sex marriage in our country. The Justices said the ruling was an impediment to religious freedom.

I visited the website for The Leo yesterday. I read a provocative article by Danielle Grady featuring interviews with five Louisville artists: Five artists: How the protest influence their art. The subject was the effect of the protests for social justice upon their work. Over the past several months Louisville Kentucky has been one of the focal points of demonstration for the Black Lives Matter movement. On March 13, 2020 Breonna Taylor a 26 year old African American woman was shot dead by Louisville Police officers executing a “no-knock” drug warrant. Taylor was hit with six bullets. Her home was never searched. None of the officer involved were charged with her death. Justice for Breonna protests were organized in Louisville for many weeks.

To read The Leo article in its entirety CLICK HERE.

Here are some of the photo’s included in the Grady interview of Brianna Harlan, Thomas English, Kenyatta Bosman, Jon Cherry, and Tyler Abell.