#blacklivesmatter

Title: #blacklivesmatter
Materials: PhotographyArtwork by: Tricia Victoria
Description: Have you ever had a vision that made you so uncomfortable to execute because you were so unsure if you could do justice to it?

This project was it for me. It pushed me and stretched me and made me nervous.

The entire photography session was emotional. It wasn’t at all playful, like it normally is. Some of the images nearly had me in tears as I was taking them. And for good reason . . .

This whole issue going on in the world with racism absolutely crushes me. I didn’t choose to be born having white skin. Black people don’t choose their skin color. How can it be socially acceptable anywhere to be divided by the color of our skin? Why is this something children learn?

Black lives do matter. I am so frustrated by the folks who want to say things like “Yes, but all lives matter.” Of course they do. But that’s not the point right now! The point is discrimination happens and is literally costing people their lives . . . all because of their skin color. Right now, the point is that your eyes perceive how a person looks, and that determines how you feel about them–without even knowing who they are. Right now the point is that this is a major problem.

These photos are meant to express unity.
They are meant to show the division in our society.
They are meant to show the love between two human beings.
They are meant to show harmony.