Daily local and national media cover the horrendous acts
of violence happening in Chicago, Illinois. Attention is drawn constantly to
the senseless murders in an effort to raise awareness of Chicago's problems. Unforturnately in media's sensationalism of
Chicago, all Chicago youth are cast in a very negative light. Chicago is a city of contradictions. It is
the home of both peace and violence, opportunity and decay. Presently, our dominant image is that of the
negative. I believe it is time for
artists to flip that script. Our work
should expose the greatness of people, especially our young.
July 9th - August 3rd, 2012 at HumanThreads Gallery (645
West 18th St, Chicago, IL 60616) the We Too Are Chicago! Exhibit intends
to shine a spotlight on the hopes, dreams, potential, and achievement of young
people often overlooked by mainstream media. Artists Ramona Dallum Lindsey and
Trish Williams will offer their perspective on the issues surrounding our youth
through their unique textile art. The exhibit will feature a host of commentary
and abstract wall art inspired by poetry written by Mrs. Lindsey.
Mrs. Lindsey and Ms. Williams use textile art techiques based
in the African-American quilting tradition. Quilting is a historic textile art
with deep roots which brought together communities. As quilters worked together
they shared the stories of their community. We Too Are Chicago is a
unique visual art experience aiming to get our community talking about Chicago's
youth determined to achieve success regardless of their daily challenges. Members of the community were invited to
share photographs displaying the successes of young people in Chicago. A handful of these images will accompany the
textiles. In addition, a young emerging
artist from Kenwood Academy High School (Chicago,IL), Gerald Brown, will offer a glimpse into the
mind of this generation through 4 of her dynamic photographs.
The show opens July 9, 2012 at 6:00 pm with an opening
reception in partnership with the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Rev. Jesse L.Jackson, Sr., the famed civil rights leader, activitist, and minister will
offer remarks touching on the present and future roles of
music, hip-hop, art, and youth for social change. The event serves as a Pre-Conference Reception for
their 41st Annual "Rainbow PUSH Coalition & Citizenship Education
Fund" Conference, July 11 - 14, at Chicago Hilton & Towers.
For further information, please visit:
The
Artist's Reception will be held July 13, 2012 from 6:00 - 10:00 pm during the
Chicago Art Distict's 2nd Fridays Gallery Night.
We hope you will join us for this powerful celebration of Chicago's
Youth.
We Too Are Chicago!
By Ramona Dallum Lindsey
Your Gold Coast is not
our stomping ground
Oprah rarely visits our
'hood.
We're called Kendra,
David, Hector, and Maria
We share the block with
Phat Daddy and Lil' Mama
We're regulars on the
Green, Red, and Pink Line,
Our train stops at
neighborhoods like
Englewood, Auburn-Gresham,
Pilsen, and Little Village
We too are Chicago
We stare from bedroom windows at boarded up homes
And wonder about Travis, forced from the 'hood,
Because his people couldn't pay
We pass the teddy bear shrine dashing to catch the train
And wonder during our 60 minute ride to the better school
Who will be the next to die.
We gaze out the train window at homeys on the corner
And wonder how long Drop-outs will stand
Because no one cared enough to give them a chance.
We too are Chicago
Our parents work hard to give us the basics
It's no to the fancy dance
lessons, art camps, & theater shows
Most of us leave school with nothing to do
We head home to empty houses
Where we lock ourselves in
But some of us take the dangerous detour
Straight to the pushers, bangers, and hustlers
We too are Chicago
We are more than you see
You see hopeless,
We see dreams!
You see lazy,
We see potential!
You see waste,
We see opportunity!
You see depressed,
We see achievers!
We too are Chicago
Copyright 2011
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