This image is of #NoDAPL water protectors with an illuminated sign that reads “PROTECTORS” with each person in the photo raising their fists in solidarity. The sign makes explicitly clear that these people are water protectors, not protesters. Protesting is a form of protecting the community, but it’s not seen that way by the mainstream media. “…[Read more]

This song is titled “Casket Pretty” by Noname. Noname addresses police brutality and how it has affected her daily life and that of so many others in the black community. The lyrics “Don’t hold me, don’t hold me when n***** is dying and dying / And I’m afraid of the dark, blue and the white / Badges and pistols rejoice in the night” point to the…[Read more]

This photo illustration is a compilation of important figures of the #MeToo movement. The backdrop of the photo is of a #MeToo demonstration, with Tarana Burke at the forefront. White women who brought more visibility to the movement using their privilege and platform have been superimposed onto the image (e.g. Ashley Judd). Kevin Spacey and…[Read more]

This photo is from a protest in 2017; the sign depicted here is comparing the U.S. to the deplorable actions of 1936 Germany, emphasizing how unacceptable xenophobic, racist, and homophobic attitudes are in the present-day United States. Although the photo source was not specific in mentioning what this particular sign was in protest of, my best…[Read more]

This photo of a black child at a Black Lives Matter movement event, while police are seen in the background, speaks volumes about what is at the heart of the movement. Police brutality against unarmed individuals is disproportionately affecting black men, as seen in the death of Michael Brown and so many others. This image of a child reminded me…[Read more]

The woman in this photo is a family member of a Nez Perce warrior. The Nez Perce were led into battle by Chief Joseph over their claim to the land that would later become Yellowstone Park.  This photo was taken in a studio long after the land was stolen from the Nez Perce to start building “America’s Best Idea.” The fact that this photo was taken…[Read more]

This image is of students in San Francisco in support of the Third World Liberation Front 2016, defending the San Francisco State College of Ethnic Studies. The signs they are holding read “NO HISTORY NO SELF” to demonstrate the importance of having an ethnic studies department that reflects the histories of the students it teaches. Students…[Read more]

This image depicts the consequences of the American “tough on crime” mentality. The American flag imagery coupled with a play on the striped prison uniform with a ball and chain emphasizes the dehumanization of prisoners at the hands of the structural racism that is woven into the fabric of American institutions. Not only is mass incarceration a…[Read more]

While not a hip hop artist, SZA represents an important part of urban music’s role in shaping perceptions of the black narrative today. This illustration questions why SZA did not win any of the five Grammy awards she was nominated for at the 60th Grammy Awards. Her album Ctrl focused on the humanity of living in her normal reality as an average p…[Read more]

This photo depicts the first day of desegregation at Fort Myer Elementary School. Two female students, a white girl and a black girl are seen facing each other while seated at their desks. This photo boldly explains the w<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>ays in which we characterize education as an equitable institution, especially after the Brown…[Read more]

This cartoon was drawn by Mark Knight from an Australian tabloid. The cartoon was met with massive criticism, and rightfully so, as it depicted world-class athlete Serena Williams in an extremely racist way, reminiscent of Jim Crow-era imagery. Supposedly drawn in reference to William’s defense of herself against an umpire’s judgment called with…[Read more]

This photo is of a newspaper clipping from the Detroit Free Press. In an attempt to integrate Detroit schools after Brown v. Board of Education, a suit was filed against Governor Milliken in order to change district boundaries that allowed for school segregation to continue. Bus policies took to the forefront of media attention, largely because…[Read more]

In this photo, protesters in Times Square carry signs with the words “I Can’t Breathe” to protest the death of Eric Garner, who died at the hands of police violence in 2014. Although the deaths of leaders of the Civil Rights Movement such as Malcolm X and Medgar Evers took place as assassinations against these leaders’ activism, the incidences…[Read more]

This photo reflects segregation in both of its manifestations in space and resources. In this photo, a black man is shown drinking from a water fountain that is labeled “For Colored Only.” Simply from the appearance of the fountain, it was neither constructed nor maintained for ease of use or for proper sanitation. The separation between the water…[Read more]

This illustration is from the cover of a picture-book biography of the legendary jazz singer Nina Simone. Although she is primarily remembered for being a talented jazz singer for her unique tone, Nina Simone used her platform as a talented artist to condemn racism in America throughout her life. When researching more about Nina Simone as a Civil…[Read more]

This image is from an article published by North Penn Legal Services titled “Modern-Day Redlining.” This article was published on the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act in order to shed light on how the discriminatory practices that led to the passing of the Fair Housing Act still maintain a hold in our society today. Home loans are still…[Read more]

This photo is of signage for federally-restricted Alaska Native allotted lands, indicating that no trespassing is allowed. I found this photo interesting because most of our class discussion has focused on incidences in which (primarily) white women have individually enforced what they deem to be “no trespassing” laws for people who these women do…[Read more]

This photo captures the essence of #NoDAPL through the demonstrations and collaboration of the hundreds of indigenous nations involved in supporting the Sioux Nation against the infringement of their land. The saying “Injustice Anywhere Threatens Justice Everywhere” brings attention to the lack of human empathy and priority placed on these…[Read more]