The artwork "A Man Was Lynched by Police Yesterday" by Dread Scott is a reference to the historic NAACP banner that read "A Man Was Lynched Yesterday," which was flown outside their headquarters in New York City during the 1920s and 1930s to raise awareness about the brutal practice of lynching. The flag features the same message and highlights how systemic racism has continued into the modern era. This artwork serves as a visual protest as it forces viewers to confront the uncomfortable reality of police brutality in the United States. I chose this work because it is simple yet incredibly powerful. Not only does it speak about multiple moments in our history of the ongoing fight for racial justice. Scott’s artwork is activist because it makes viewers acknowledge the systemic racism still in the present day and demands change through a direct message.
WHY ARTISTIC ACTIVISM? | Center for Artistic Activism
"Acknowledging that the political landscape is also a cultural landscape opens up new terrain to work upon."
I liked how this acknowledges that politics is not just about rational debates but also about cultures, symbols, and stories that shape how people think and act. By acknowledging that the political landscape is also a cultural one, activists can reach people more effectively through creative approaches. Artistic activism takes advantage of this by using art in public spaces, social media, and everyday life. Instead of relying on traditional protests it engages people visually which
"Creativity is a skill we all already possess and can learn to hone and use to great effect."
This quote highlights how creativity is something everyone has. It makes it much more accessible than regular forms of political engagement which may require advanced knowledge. Artistic activism taps into this universal ability allowing anyone to use their natural creativity to make an impact. It’s empowering for groups who may not have access to formal political systems. By using their own cultural expressions through art, music, or other creative forms people can actively participate in creating change.
An Introduction to Activist Art | The Collector | by Stefanie Graf
“The broad term ‘activist art’ encompasses a great variety of artists, art forms, and objectives.’’
In reflecting on my understanding of activist art I realized how powerful creativity can be in sparking social change. It is not just about making something visually striking, it’s also about using that art to raise awareness and inspire others to take action. Activist art can be both personal and political which can give groups a more impactful voice and issues that are overlooked. I have realized that art doesn’t only live in galleries. Art can live in public spaces, online, and in everyday life.
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"When the public is looking away from suffering that could be prevented or does not want to be confronted with it, activist art often creates a dialogue and forces people to think about these problems."
I realized when reading this that activist art serves as a wake-up call. It is always addressing the suffering and issues that society tends to ignore or avoid. It pushes these uncomfortable realities into public view so that people could confront them and think critically. By starting a dialogue, activist art challenges individuals to engage with these problems which often leads to greater awareness and action. It serves as a bridge between change and making people question what they may have previously overlooked.
The 25 Most Influential Works of American Protest Art Since World War II
The New York Times Style Magazine
“During the Jim Crow era, Black people were terrorized by lynching … It was a threat that hung over all Black people who knew that for any reason or no reason whatsoever you could be killed and the killers would never be brought to justice,” – Dread Scott
Dread Scott’s reimagining of the N.A.A.C.P. flag powerfully connects the historical events of lynching with modern day police violence. His work forces us to confront the reality that racism has evolved but is intact and present in different forms. Scott highlights the continuity of injustice and the lack of accountability that remains. His flag serves as a crucial reminder that the systemic oppression and violence faced in the past still deeply affects the present.
"Now the police are playing the same role of terror that lynch mobs did at the turn of the century."
This quote highlights that the threat of violence faced by Black people has shifted but not disappeared. During the Jim Crow era, Black communities were terrorized with constant threat of violent death and no justice. Dread Scott now argues, this same kind of terror exists through police violence. While the forms of racial oppression have changed, the fear and danger for individuals remain the same. It draws attention to the nature of racial violence in the modern day.
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