Chelsea Street Art: Protest Signs of the Times
#Chalkthattalk murals at FIT in Chelsea, NYC. Art by Jourdel Grant @kitsch.exe, Debbie Roxx @Debbieroxx, and @caffetti_.
Guest Post By Sanah Bukhari
Chelsea street art mural by @Keyslache.
A run around NYC to see Chelsea street art led me to blocks of Black Lives Matter protest art along 7th Avenue between 27th and 28 streets in Manhattan. New York’s FIT Black Student Union created the Chelsea street art exhibition to honor the Black Lives Matter movement with #ChalkThatTalk on June 19, Juneteenth.
A Chalk That Talk mural by artist Keys La’Che introduces the project by Black Student Union members as “An Artistic Response to the injustices our community has faced through history. This is our Statement.”
A Power to the People Mural by #LatinosforBLM stands in solidarity across racial lines for people to make their voices heard.
#LatinosforBLM art at the Chelsea street art exhibition at FIT in NYC.
“I can’t breathe”
Eric Garner and George Floyd street art by @Artsyashlee at FIT in NYC.
The final words uttered by George Floyd as he was life was taken beneath the knee of a police officer. The phrase that shook the world, caused both nation and worldwide headlines, sparked outrage, and gave a deeper resonance for many to join the Black Lives Matter movement.
Besides coronavirus putting the whole world on pause, this was the last straw that led people across the country to start protests, creating havoc on the streets. People couldn’t take it anymore; they were tired of their voices being unheard and forever being treated like second class citizens. One thing stands clear is that the need for justice has surpassed the fear of the virus — while the virus doesn’t choose its victims, the power of law sure can.
Black Lives Matter mural by Sarah Haskell @art1ofakind in Chelsea, NYC.
The tragic murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmad Arbaury and countless others is a reminder that unjust racism is very real. A black person abused, assaulted, or refused service in America is unfortunately nothing new. However, the way George Floyd was murdered to the point of dehumanization was what brought collective worldwide attention saying that enough is enough. People of color felt the need to do their part to create a change in world views as they all have been victims of racism. The people who face racism make you inherently more tough and unfortunately it will always stay with you and carry it as your own identity.
The world is hurting and the black community is fighting for their lives. Radical change is necessary. Each one of us should look within ourselves to make a change. It was truly beautiful, to see the whole world stand in the name of justice, equality and freedom, all the things this country stands for.
Mural by @taianp.
The new generation and the likes of AOC, who stands for justice and inequality, are all progressive movements for a better America. Racial beliefs and prejudices should not dictate how we view one another. This is the time to rewrite history for equality. This is the time to use our voices to speak out against a sad matter of racism and that Silence is definitely Violence. Justice requires our voices to be heard loud and clear. As much as we idolize black culture and names like MLK, Malcom X, Muhammad Ali, Obama, Michael Jordan, Oprah, Michelle Obama, Serena Williams, and Kamala Harris, we owe them the right of equality.
We are responsible to unlearn our own biases and hold ourselves accountable when needed. When basic human rights are being deprived, we must do what we can to amplify the people of color in our communities and stand for them in the name of justice and love. We must stand against bigotry, and hate – we need desperate change.
Sanah Bukhari moved to NYC last year and got to experience the city pre-pandemic. Now she finds joy in the smaller things in life, like nature walks and a zen yoga session, as well as writing to escape this unexpected year we are all going through.
Related Posts: St. Louis Street Art Protests Racial Inequality, Black Lives Matter Street Art Around the World
