“An artist’s duty, as far
as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times… At this crucial time in our lives,
when everything is so desperate, when every day is a matter of survival, I don’t
think you can help but be involved” - Nina Simone
I am an artist. I am an artist, who
wrote this piece at 10 PM on April 4, 2018. I am an artist who who is
breathing, seeing, and living in the United States of America on April 4, 2018.
April 4, 2018. Exactly 50 years
after Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated by his own government. 17 days
after Stephon Clark was shot to death by police in his grandmother’s backyard for being Black
and holding a cellphone. A week after 17 Palestinians were murdered by Israeli’s
for uprising against the occupation which began 50 years ago. 1 year, 74 days,
12 hours, 25 minutes and 32 seconds since Donald Trump took office as President
of the United States of America, which was almost a year after he called
Mexican immigrants rapists in a country that almost a year later had a rapist
as president. 17 and 1/2 years after I was born.. which was over a year before
9/11 and over a year before the unjust invasion of Iraq and 3 years before the
unjust invasion of Afghanistan. 2 wars that have continued until today- April
4, 2018. 17 years since the wars officially began. 17 and 1/2 years since I was
born. And 101 years before scientists warn of possible human extinction.
I am an artist. And as an artist, I
do not mean to stress you or myself out. However, I believe it is my duty to
reflect the times. How can I not? With the aforementioned events taking place,
how can I write about anything else? How can I write an abstract idea about
anything other than Stephon Clark, Martin Luther King, Jr, Malcolm X, Standing
Rock, Palestine, the LGBTQ community, BLM, or everybody else? How can I write a
“How To” that
doesn’t involve how to abolish the systems that oppress these people? How can I
write a personal narrative when every breath I breathe is in hopes of making others’
lives better? How can I breathe when someone else is suffocating for the air in
my lungs?
I am an artist. I am not here to
judge any other artists, or dictate how they should go about creating their
art. You are all important, and your stories matter. Do not feel bad if you
created pieces not involving these topics. I am just an artist, as are you, and
all I can do is share is my truth. All I can do is reflect the times in which I
live.
How may the times change if we all
did the same?
Peace & Love
- Connor Reid
Connor wow. i love being in class with you not only because what you say is funny but you have the gift or deep insight and know how to get your point across. your way with words is mesmerizing and im so lucky to have had the opportunity to listen, be inspired by you, and learn. you did such a good job with your personal narrative and i absolutely loved this piece. -charis webber
ReplyDeleteWow.This is a very great piece and I felt very inspired.Great job.
ReplyDeleteBriana Santana
This piece is very unique,and well written. I really enjoyed reading this piece, it provided deep insight and gave me a different perspective.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great personal narrative, the structure in the first paragraph was great. You knowing all the past infamous incidents we've had in America by years, days, and time is impressive. Never forget. Great job.
ReplyDeleteI really love your piece, it illustrates our humanity's history and our faults. This piece shows how eloquent you are, and how capable you are on getting your point across. I very much enjoyed your personal narrative. Fantastic job, thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYour piece is really inspiring and honest, and the quote at the beginning is very thought provoking. Great job.
ReplyDeleteThe way you structured this was very nicely done. It shifted all these facts and people we've come to know into the foreground - a more 'big picture' and worldwide scope on all that's happened. It was a wake-up call.
ReplyDelete-Megan Kukwa
I really like the representation of an artist, and how you incorporated personal elements into its connotation. You brought to attention a lot of events that were controversial. Good job.
ReplyDelete- Kenny A.
Oh wow Connor this was really eye opening and well thought out. You have a great personality and an amazing voice that catches people’s attention. All of the events that had happened before we were born affect us so greatly today and I hope changes are made today instead of waiting around for the next disaster. Truly amazing and inspiring piece, rest job Connor.
ReplyDeleteSarah Skibby
Per. 2
Honestly when I first looked at your piece I wasn't sure what to expect because of it's length but I was pleasantly surprised. Your style of writing is very captivating and your piece had more meaning and depth then mostly any other post I've read. Overall nice work and keep it up! -Taylor Clayton
ReplyDeleteI really admire how you take every opportunity presented to you to raise your voice and tell the stories that need to be told. Nolt everyone is courageous enough to do this, so I hope you never lose that aspect of yourself.
ReplyDeleteThis was honestly a strong narrative and really interesting. The dates and times relative to April 4th provided a powerful sense of urgency towards the worsening times
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly what I expected when I saw your name under April writers. This past year has been extremely powerful for our generation, though we are far from our goal I hope we are igniting some kind of change we can build on in the near future. Watching you turn into the person, the artist you are is something I find utterly moving. Seems like just yesterday you and Jenny were on stage in drama 1 acting out a drive by. My favorite thing about art is how subjective and fluid it is, something I feel like is an extension of ourselves. Artists have a sort of complexity about them that doesn't seem to make sense just as art isn't always easily understood. I have a lot of respect and admiration for you even though we often disagree. Continue to use every outlet possible to speak your mind, as I'm sure you will.
ReplyDeleteI love how so insightful and extremely deep this piece was and how you used your voice to express how you felt. I went back in time for about 5 minutes. AMAZING job !!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this piece, it is completely different from all the others i have read this year. I believe that we should all be concerned with the topics you present. I really enjoyed the personal aspects as well. I wasn't just an idea but a personal statement.
ReplyDeleteAn incredible and retrospective piece, you did great Connor. I wouldn't expect anything less from someone of your caliber though, great job on this piece Connor. -Oscar Bustamante
ReplyDeleteYour piece was so captivating and your words are always so powerful! Your work is so admirable and I wish you the best of luck in your career because you have so much potential. - Lexi Gomez
ReplyDeleteEvery time you write something I am just amazed by it. You always use whatever platform you have to spread what you believe in and I respect that. Great job showing how much of a true artist you are!
ReplyDelete-Arianna Perez
Keep reflecting the times, Connor. There are few who do. You've never been one to stay silent and I respect that so much. Keep using your voice: it is the most powerful tool you have.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very inspiring piece. There was so much honestly about humanity’s faults. This was an incredible piece.
ReplyDeleteI love how you portrayed that even if every artist isn't speaking out against social injustices, the thing that they all have in common is that their art reflects what resonates with them. I think that it's really cool that you talked about these issues because most people, myself included, don't talk about all of them enough. Really good job.
ReplyDeleteConnor I love how out spoken you are! Keep doing your thing man! You have a voice and other youth do listen!
ReplyDelete