The project I’m working on gives a visual representation of how the black community can use the strengths we once gained in the past to heal in the present. In past eras, leaders of the African American community were instrumental in creating huge social and legal changes by risking their lives and livelihoods to elevate the social, educational, and economic standing of African Americans. In order to follow in our ancestors footsteps and have true freedom, the cause I want to advocate is self love and the process of dying to our old selves to reduce the aftermath of generational trauma from institutionalized racism and slavery. "Power" is a dramatic and creative visual mixed with musical production to cultivate unique and intricate narratives that promote socialchange. It's about renewing the minds of the African American community through dance, culture, and unity. An inspiring and impactful conversation piece to the black community and the world.
This is how I will use the space if I win: The visual will open in a warehouse as Kanye West’s “Power” plays in the background. This scene is inspired by the incredible “This is America” video where the people wreck havoc. We hear police sirens and see people running, holding up protest signs, fighting, arguing, being lazy, while some people film the chaos on their smart phones. Through all the chaos, our camera reveals two people walking through the middle of it all. Who is it? It’s Kendra and Antwon, the creators of the viral “Black Excellence" Dance video (see link above) that reached millions during the unjust killing of George Floyd. As the chaos picks up, we suddenly hear gunshots and everyone starts running mad. Kendra and Antwon run inside a room where the words "Freedom" glow on a mirror with a note they read saying "STARTS WITH YOU". Kendra and Antwon will play as the super hero's of this visual, like a Martin Luther King Jr. or Angela Davis. This scene then takes us into a school hallway with men in prison uniforms symbolic to the high incarceration rate of African American men. This will go into a powerful step/dance number and our musical Hip-opera begins. During the space at the school, we will address issues within the black community like colorism, lack of unity, and black on black crime through individuals rapping the lyrics to the song. It will transition to the dancers/actors showcasing how renewing our minds through education, unity, and changing our negative thoughts to positive thoughts to aid in our healing as an African American community. This then takes us back into the warehouse with another powerful dancer, the innovator of Krump. He will symbolize the importance of how black fathers matter and a reminder of how powerful and excellent we are. Our final scene ends in the warehouse with our camera revealing a sign saying "Die here" but not literally. We will have people pretend to jump out of a window from the warehouse to symbolize dying to our old selves by cutting to them in new outfits. This is symbolic to how we will heal by dying to everything that is holding us back so we can move forward in our fight to equality and rebuild our community just like our ancestors did before the Tulsa massacre in 1921. The space Peerspace provides is important to telling our story in a way that truly inspires and impacts the community. The visual will be more lit than I can ever type. Just wait and see :)
Peerspace is on a mission to bring people together. We believe it is impossible to achieve that goal unless we also fight for equality and access to resources in the communities we serve.
Having a space to gather, create, and exchange ideas is an important part of any movement. In order to magnify voices that are often quieted, Peerspace will sponsor venues for people who challenge prejudice and fight for social justice and equality.
Each quarter, we will sponsor space for three projects that are relevant to our community. These projects can range from fundraisers and educational initiatives to art exhibits and photo series.
