you’re why i’m dead

Oil Paint on Canvas

24” x 120”

2020

“you’re why I’m dead” is part of a series of paintings exploring the impact of microaggressions experienced by black people. The series uses a juxtaposition of images to expose the subtle and yet vile nature of microaggressions. Microaggressions can be described as the everyday slights, indignities, put-downs, and insults that people of colour, women, LGBT populations, or those who are marginalized experiences in their day-to-day interactions with people.

The idea of this painting started with a feeling of complete and utter exhaustion. Specifically, the feeling or sense of defeat around the oppressive history of black people and that it is repeating itself. “you’re why I’m dead” references the lynching of black people in America from 1882 to 1968. Lynchings were a popular way of resolving some of the anger that whites had towards the free blacks in the south. The lynching of Black people in America was used as a way to control freed slaves. These horrific acts were used as warnings against Black people who were getting away with “too much” freedom. Almost 50 years later, Black people are being found hanging from trees once again. These murders are being written off as suicides with little to no investigation. The painting consists of two panels that depict juxtaposing scenes.