To My White Neighbors

For a very long time I was apathetic towards racism. As bad as that sounds I did not care but I was willing to die on the hill that I did. Growing up in a white predominantly middle class area, with well funded schools, industry and many more luxuries and opportunities, existing without diversity was my reality. I wanted to believe that in a modern society racism didn't exist and that because I didn't see segregated water fountains, bathrooms, and restaurants we were all equal. Even beyond that I was willing to feverishly defend my white neighbors, community leaders, and local strangers against the repulsing accusation of being called a racist. 

I spoke about their intentions, neglectful and unfortunate word choice, or age as a factor to excuse their behavior, never seeing their overwhelming ignorance because I was, and still sometimes am, looking through the lens of my own privilege. 

To My White Neighbors, stands as a series and opportunity in which I am seeking to not only grow as a person but critique the white community in their complacent and ignorant decision to turn a blind eye to their own racism and instead blissfully exist within their systematically exclusive bubbles. 

Using crackers throughout this series I seek to represent the fragility and uniformity within the blight that is the “modern racist”. As I install, photograph, and perform I explore the tangible and audible brittleness that white people choose to embody while simultaneously drawing awareness and attention to the sight that I carefully choose to be a part of my work. I want to display my own learning process in the hopes that others might be inspired to examine themselves, their lives, and the future decisions they may make.