The Black experience in America has been consistently influenced by the lingering effects of racist systems and ideologies, from hundreds of years of slavery, to redlining practices, to police brutality and mass incarceration. However, Black people also experience joy and cultural vibrance. They contribute artistic expression, scholarly achievements, and daring innovation to this country. Global citizens will only benefit as they continue to embrace a future that allows Black people their rightful places as equals and leaders.
Because the African Diaspora has suffered various traumas worldwide, Black people are actively pursuing and facilitating healing and ascension in a variety of ways. These include the courageous sharing of their unique stories, while also proposing new ways of inhabiting and building communities that will better ensure equitable futures for all.
This two-part exhibit first highlights the often painful experiences of Black community members who face individual and systemic discrimination. As viewers gain insight into the experiences of their fellow Utahans, we hope they will be moved to make a commitment to freedom through action. The second part features Black UVU students’ ideas about how redesigning inequitable systems and acknowledging Black excellence will create a better future. These expressions are accompanied by stylized photography representing the bold innovation of Afrofuturism.
The following experiences were submitted by Black community members in Utah of various ages, genders, and nationalities. As you watch the videos and click through the quotations, we invite you to reflect on how you can commit to renewed action in the fight for complete freedom and equality for Black people.
The experience of Black people is not only that of trauma and suffering. It is one of joy, passion, creativity, innovation, and forward thinking. Often a visual metaphor for the inventive world-building Black people envision is an artistic expression and ideology called Afrofuturism. Afrofuturism is defined as "the reimagining of a future filled with arts, science and technology seen through a Black lens" [1] as well as "a fluid ideology shaped by generations of artists, musicians, scholars, and activists whose aim is to reconstruct “Blackness” in the culture. Reflected in the life and works of such figures as Octavia Butler, Sojourner Truth, Sun Ra, and Janelle Monáe, Afrofuturism is a cultural blueprint to guide society" [2].
The following photos are artistic portraits of Black UVU students and staff in the style of Afrofuturism. They are accompanied by expressions shared by Black community members explaining their hopes for the future and what the world might look like if more BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) were leading the way. Black leadership and futuristic vision will help both Black communities and the rest of the world ascend.
“Justice for all Black people that have died for no reason and a world where Black people don’t have to feel like targets.”
“That there won’t be so many “firsts” for Black people because we’ll have already been at the table.”
“That the future Black children of America have better opportunities than I do, and experience less racism in their lives. I hope they don't experience the fear I feel from systematic racism that I experience every time I see a cop.”
“That we can all live in harmony and I don’t just mean other races and Black people, I mean Black people with Black people as well.”
“All people will accept their African roots, acknowledge African contributions and roots of all human civilization, and make sure that the continent and the diaspora are healthy and well.”
“More Black leaders in the world and in the LDS community. I hope the next generation does not have to fight for equal rights, are loved by all races, and be able to empower each other in their communities.”
“A lot more inclusive and compassionate.”
“It would be amazing! The cultural diversity, the beautiful people, the intellect. That would be such a dream to fulfill!”
“The world would be more just and equal. BIPOC are very optimistic people and have experienced terrible things. If they led, they wouldn't want others to have the same experience as them.”
“It would encourage more POC to lead and it would add a lot of diversity in a healthy way.” “The world would be more understanding. More seasoned lol.”
“Trust me when I say the world would be better. The systems right now were never made for us to succeed. We wouldn’t have to worry about being the minority or viewed as less.”
“We would definitely have more peace, understanding, and empathy if more BIPOC where leading the way.”
A special thanks to The Black Student Union, The African Diaspora Initiative, and The Center for Social Impact for the curation of this exhibit.
Additionally, thanks to:
Breanna Lambert, community stories curator
Bryan Cooper, videographer
Clayton Mueller, photographer
My'Jah Mintze, makeup artist
Mohamed Eftin, Melanie Griffin, Israel Herring, Destini Perkins, models
The many Black community members who submitted experiences and expressions
Want to share your commitment to action in the fight for freedom or express how this
exhibit made you feel? Need someone to talk to about your experience as a Black
person or person of color? Please submit your email and message below.
array('ignore_errors' => true))); if(!isset($_GET['tfa_next'])) { $qs = ' '; if(isset($_SERVER['QUERY_STRING']) && !empty($_SERVER['QUERY_STRING'])){$qs='?'.$_SERVER['QUERY_STRING'];}; echo file_get_contents('https://uvu.tfaforms.net/rest/forms/view/107'.$qs); } else { echo file_get_contents('https://uvu.tfaforms.net/rest'.$_GET['tfa_next'],false,$context); } ?>
[1] https://www.huffpost.com/entry/opinion-broadnax-afrofuturism-black-panther_n_5a85f1b9e4b004fc31903b95
[2] https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/what-is-afrofuturism
