This project is called Portraits for Protest. I wanted to take powerful and beautiful portraits of specific protesters from all walks of life in order to add real faces to the BLM movement. This includes Black men and women, Black Trans, Asian, Latino and Palestinian people. I’m hoping that by doing this, I can get people who are observing the sea of protesters to feel connected and empowered to participate. Along with the photos, I conducted short written interviews that speak to the individual asks of the movement and why people are involved.
1. Who are you?
I’m Seth! I’m an artist living in Brooklyn. I’m of Japanese and Jewish heritage and I’m originally from Oakland, CA
2. Is this your first time protesting?
I grew up with a father who was of draft age during the Vietnam/American war. While in college, he joined the anti-war protests as well as the civil rights movement (including MLK’s led March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom). My first memories of protesting are from when he brought me to protests against the invasion of Afghanistan. I can still remember wrapping my very young head around the most popular chant, demanding “no blood for oil!” Since then, I’ve joined various protests on my own. I think this started with protesting Sodexo, a company that has contracts with many college cafeterias but also profits from its many more contracts with private prisons.
3. What led you to take direct action for the Black Lives Matter movement? Or What led you to organize your own protest?
The beginning of the Black Lives Matter movement, 6 years ago, coincided with a time in my life when I was first beginning to understand the systems of oppression running our country— especially relating to race. Maybe a year earlier, I had just begun learning about concepts such as redlining, other government enforced barriers blocking our Black community's accumulation of wealth, and what whiteness really even is.
Then we saw the lynchings of two children: Trayvon Martin killed by a neighborhood “watchman” and, subsequently, the murder of Micheal Brown by police officers. Here in NYC, we had Eric Garner begging police officers to let him breath before they suffocated him to death. We took direct action on college campuses and on the streets of NYC. This year, we had a disturbingly similar set of lynchings: Ahmaud Arbery by his neighbors followed by the police shooting of Breonna Taylor and then George Floyd’s begging of police to let him breath before they murdered him. Black organizers took to the street and I felt I needed to be there. I believe it was two days after the protests started in Minneapolis, friends told me there was going to be a meeting at Barclays Center in solidarity and I decided to show up.
4. Was there a moment that changed your perspective on racial inequality in America and if so can you describe that?
Growing up queer and biracial in Oakland, it was the Black and brown women who embraced me in middle and high school. That was a hard time for many people, myself included, and I owe those women so much more than they will ever understand.
When I left home to go to school in upstate New York, there was a huge culture shock between my diverse childhood home and what I found to be a racist and divided campus. This pushed me to confront race in a way I really hadn't had to before. When I returned home, I began to see that even my own community was full of systematic oppression.
5. What makes BLM protest today feel different then previous movements we’ve seen or studied?
There’s a lot of discussion of the obvious-- today: we have a violently volatile president and we’re in the throes of a pandemic. Even so, the size and reach of the movement this time makes me hopeful. The worldwide participation, all triggered by a Minneapolis protest, feels different this time. As well as how widespread the understanding that we need to move away from and abolish police. I never thought this many people would be on the same page so quickly.
6. What do you see as the demands of the movement?
Currently, the aim of the movement seems to be the defunding of police departments and the reallocation of these funds. This is the first step of many. We must move away from the police state we reside in now. But of course the sustained 6 years of BLM will continue to work to end racism and oppression and establish a baseline of safety and a right to freedom for Black Americans.
7. What do you think is next for the movement and how would you like to see it evolve?
It’s hard to know with a decentralized movement like this but once again Black American’s are demanding a permanent shift. I have my own hopes but I’ll trust and follow in the Black voices and organizers when considering what is next for BLM. I know we’ll get there and then still have more to do.
8. What do you say to people that are witnessing but maybe feel distant or not involved in the movement?
When I showed up to that protest at the Barclays Center, I didn’t know what I was arriving to. But that’s okay. Sometimes you just need to be a witness at first. Of course, you should do the reading, be prepared to make mistakes and check yourself. They’re doing the work to protect themselves but your back up could make a huge difference. Sometimes that’s literally taking up space on the streets (and hey, this the one time they’re asking you to take up space wypipo!).
Being anti-racist doesn’t end. It requires constant work, refinement, and engagement. Listen to the words of Black organizers on the streets or start at home. But know you already play a part whether you’re trying to or not. You can decide what part that is.
9. Is there anything else you want to speak on regarding the movement?
Mass protest is a powerful tool and we must demand justice and sweeping change no matter who is in political office(s)! Black Lives Matter. Black Trans lives Matter. Power to the boycotts, power to the strikes, power to the riots, power to the protest and power to the people!
