I painted this in 2016 and it's still one of my favorite realistic portraits. I'm sad that it still applies today.

I wanted to depict the crooked illusion that these two figures were equally dangerous by aligning them to perfect symmetry. I titled it, "The Threat," and when it was hung up in a gallery, I was terrified. I didn't feel like I was equipped to answer hard political or historical questions, but what I did know was this — that if people of a certain race were statistically given fewer opportunities and were more likely to be targeted and killed, then I would look into it. And if they were being silenced and hurt, then I would be the one to listen and use my voice for them.

My voice is through my art. It always has been. Even though my work has changed dramatically since 2016, I still aim to use my artwork as a way to help others.

I know the BLM movement has been met with much resistance, and to the resistance, I ask, Why? What gain is made from opposing a movement that is meant to elevate black lives and address systemic issues that create discrimination based on race? How can we move towards an actual solution if we refuse to acknowledge or understand the problems? Where is our humanity if we continue to shoot down Black voices and ignore the fatal news of yet another Black life gone for the sake of convenience?

And to those of you who fervently believe that the BLM efforts are unnecessary and destructive, what will it take for you to change your mind — statistics, articles, quotes? If the answer is nothing, then you are actively choosing to hold onto an opinion with a weak foundation and it's hurting others. You are choosing to look away and it is hurting others. To be fully and actively opposed to the BLM efforts is to dismiss the realities Blacks face on the daily. Especially when the lives of (young) Black Americans depend on people like us to speak out for them, I just don't think it's right to turn a blind eye.

My hope is that we can all look at these current events with an open mind, and we can start by being a little more empathic. Just a little goes a long way.

The hooded figure in "The Threat" is based on Trayvon Martin, an African-American teenager who was fatally shot by neighborhood watch, George Zimmerman. Zimmerman claims he had acted in self-defense despite Martin being unarmed. In State of Florida vs. George Zimmerman, the jury rendered a not guilty verdict on all counts, sparking the Black Lives Matter movement in 2013.

Featured in the SWC Art Gallery at the Chula Vista Mall, San Diego, and The Sun newspaper.

Actions you can take right now to support the movement:

Purchase a BLM sticker from my shop! 100% of all proceeds go straight to the DeDe McClure Bail Fund, Black Table Arts, the La Mesa Disaster Recovery, and Joyce Preschool. :)
Donate directly to families of black lives lost and/or to organizations that support the black communities! Here’s a spreadsheet of small and large organizations that you can look into if you don’t know where to start.
Sign petitions! By signing petitions, you are helping to raise awareness of injustices done against blacks. By increasing awareness, we increase accountability, and those in power are coerced to act.
Educate yourself! Knowing the gist of black history is not enough to understand the black communities and the systemic issues of today. You can start by watching 13th on Netflix or listening to 1619, a podcast on Spotify.