DAY 70

WHAT CAN I DO?

Day 70: Over the course of this week I’ve had many meaningful conversations regarding the murder of George Floyd, the violent response to the protests that followed, and the unhinged racism that is fast gaining ground everywhere. I’ve been struggling with my own response, and how to express the outrage I feel over that video and the attitudes that allowed it to happen. The smirk from the officer looking to camera, hand in pocket, the body being rolled off with machine-like efficiency. Then my friend of colour, from downtown LA, told me the best thing she’s been asked by her white friends this week has been: “What can I do?”. And that’s precisely what I want to ask too: What Can I Do? My ally. My friend. My sister. My brother. What can I do? Tell me how I can be of help and support to you, right here and now, and I will listen.

Sad, but not surprised to have had to remove and report a few comments below, so please don’t waste your time. Being on the receiving end, for this short moment, only serves to show me how self-centred and fearful you are, and what a convenient forum this is for you to hide behind. To imagine myself and my children having to endure the pointless abuse from you and your enablers on a daily basis is simply unfathomable.

What can I draw? Elaborating on the offer to assist the movement to the best of my abilities; drawing is what I do, but the experiences that so urgently needs to be depicted and processed are not my own. So if you’re part of the BAME community and want to collaborate, please comment below or DM me your words and ideas of what needs to be expressed. Art, and in particular icons, have the ability to distill abstract and complex subjects into pebbles of our collective understanding. Thank you!