Genesis, Exodus: when is it time to leave?
“When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to…” bail out of a pariah nation, I suggest we leave in style.
Dirigibles feature prominently in the latest altered books I’ve finished. Not just because I’m a fan, but because all the old “signs of the apocalypse” jokes feel way too real these days. There is just. So. Much for African Americans to leave behind: climate change floods and fires, the coronavirus pandemic, white supremacists in general, police brutality in particular…
Remember why Black Lives Matter protesters faced off with Seattle police in May? Credit: Kelly Kline/Flickr
It’s gotten me thinking about #Blaxit again. (Think Brexit, but with Black people leaving the U.S. instead of Britain leaving the European Union.) If you haven’t savored the brilliant essay by Ulysses Burley III at The Salt Collective yet, I highly recommend it. Once your laughter subsides a bit, proceed to the absolute genius that is Awesomely Luvvie’s take on Blaxit.
In my version of Blaxit, we’re still debating whether to leave or stay. But if we go, we’re taking zeppelins out of this nightmare, fully stocked and ready for space travel. I’ll post the altered books very soon (right after I’ve had them properly documented) so watch my Instagram account for the upcoming first look.
Cops plus climate change equals...?
What do climate change refugees and the CHOP have in common?
An essay in Dissent magazine says police violence will be the common element. As the writer put it, “[I]t’s a simple question of whom and what the political system chooses to protect” during a crisis.
Protester demands on the boarded-up SPD east precinct building, June 2020
Remember the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest area (CHOP)? Activists protesting police violence and George Floyd’s murder occupied the streets around the east precinct, demanding that the Seattle Police Department be defunded. One reason for the demand: police pose a deadly threat to Black lives, not a source of aid.
Police face Black Lives Matter supporters on May 30, 2020. Credit: Kelly Kline/Flickr
Considering this violent history, writer Olufemi O. Taiwo predicts “climate apartheid” will increase. Police will leave refugees to risk death during future climate disasters, while officers protect the powerful.
National Guard troops, Seattle police and protesters on June 3, 2020. Credit: Bruce Englehardt/Wikimedia Commons
At first I thought this argument was kind of a stretch, but then I realized my collage “TODAY, America. Today,” tells a similar narrative. I pointed out people of color usually suffer the most in a catastrophe — citizens as well as migrants.
I wish I could be more optimistic: please, please, please let me and this essay be wrong. But knowing our response to Hurricane Katrina (and before that, the Great Mississippi Flood), that essay writer in Dissent sounds more like Cassandra than Chicken Little.
Venturing outside
Remember when August used to be jam-packed with summer art activities? Good times. I’m told Outside still exists, so I went looking for proof.
Outside, from above: Rachel Setzer gifted me with this signed print of the Black Lives Matter street mural.
Art stores are Outside, so I risked it all to pick up a couple panels — in person! — for a commission.
Sorry about the slow news week. I’ll try to make it up to you by sharing my new favorite posters about Outside, courtesy of the National Parks Service.
Too much Outside for you? The NPS also suggests a virtual park visit. Stay safe and cool if you can, y’all.